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Ex-Reporter Says He Was ‘Too Gay’ for CBS

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His ‘Healing’ Included Three Years in Therapy
N.Y. Times Writer ‘Disciplined’ for Race Comments
K.C. Star’s Apology Inspires Miami Herald
David Ng Leaves N.Y. to Lead Providence Journal
Passings . . .
— Corky Lee, Photographer of Asian American Life
— David Ibata, Editor in Atlanta, Chicago
— NBA Writer Sekou Smith, 48, of COVID-19
— Laura Waterman Wittstock, Native Pathbreaker

(More to come)

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Don Champion told Yahoo that after the accusations against two top CBS executives were reported, and after speaking with friends still at CBS, “hearing the fear … I figured it was important to speak up.” (Credit: Instagram/Facebook)

His ‘Healing’ Included Three Years in Therapy

A Black gay journalist has come forward with a story of his unhappy time at CBS in light of a report in the Los Angeles Times about racism and a toxic work environment at the network.

Meanwhile, Ukee Washington, an anchor of CBS-owned KYW-TV in Philadelphia who was said to be an object of racist remarks from a top CBS manager, praised executives’ statements that racism had no place and told viewers, “We shall overcome.”

In addition, the National Association of Black Journalists, which has called for the firing of suspended top CBS executives David Friend, CBS Television Stations president, and Peter Dunn, senior vice president of news for TV stations, put together a Media Industry Monitoring initiative “to serve as a place where journalists can anonymously report problems in their newsroom or company.

“Journalists may confidentially submit instances of misbehavior or other concerns related to diversity, equity or inclusion, and the committee may follow up to determine if additional steps can be taken to rectify the situation.”

And at CBS, Entertainment Chief Executive George Cheeks sent a note to CBS station employees Friday, saying trial lawyer Keisha-Ann Gray (pictured), a partner at Proskauer Rose, a prominent New York law firm, would lead the promised outside review of the allegations, Meg James reported for the Los Angeles Times.

Washington’s on-air comments and those of Don Champion, the Black gay journalist, came less than 24 hours after Dunn and Friend were placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.

Champion’s statement, posted Tuesday on Facebook. had drawn more than 1,500 reactions by Friday and was shared more than 270 times.

Champion said he began at CBS-owned WCBS-TV in New York as a freelancer. “On my first day on-air at WCBS,” he wrote, “I infamously scored a market exclusive — surveillance video of a handcuffed suspect who escaped police custody. My colleagues were impressed. Soon, it was clear nothing I could do would impress David Friend. His first complaint was my ‘on-air presence.’

“Months later it was my ‘voice.’ When I went to his office and asked for help paying for a voice coach he said no. Trying to do whatever it took to get a contract, I paid for one on my own. I distinctly remember the voice coach telling me during one session that she was confused about what problem the station had with my voice. Looking back, I now know ‘presence’ and ‘voice’ were code; in Friend and Dunn’s eyes, I was too gay. . . .

“I remember getting on the elevator with Peter Dunn one time and nervously trying to strike up a conversation with him. He ignored me. There were clear double standards for other Black employees behind-the-scenes at WCBS too. So much so that after a Black firefighter died fighting a fire at David’s home — some of us Black employees were hopeful it would cause him to start treating us better. It didn’t…

“After about a year and a half of freelancing, I was told David didn’t feel like ‘stringing me along anymore’ and wouldn’t offer me any more freelance days after the end of the month. I had impressed other managers at WCBS so much so that they — unbeknownst to me — spoke up in my defense and I was called days later and told there was a ‘change of heart.’

“By that time, I had also started at CBS News in the Newspath division and turned the ‘change of heart’ down. Before I left, a manager at WCBS even said to me that they hoped I ‘knew the problem {at WCBS} was never you.’ Those words have stayed in my head ever since and I know what the manager meant.

“Sadly, the discrimination didn’t stop at WCBS. At CBS Newspath, word from a manager of me needing to ‘butch it up’ on-air got to me. There was also a complaint about me ‘queening out’ during live shots. . . .”

Beth Greenfield reported Friday for Yahoo, “CBS emailed the following statement to Yahoo Life in response to questions about Champion’s claims: “Peter Dunn, President of the CBS Television Stations, and David Friend, Senior Vice President, News for the TV Stations, have been placed on administrative leave, pending the results of a third-party investigation into issues that include those raised in a recent Los Angeles Times report.

“CBS is committed to a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace where all voices are heard, claims are investigated and appropriate action is taken where necessary.”

“We were unable to find a representative for Dunn, but Friend’s attorney Todd Parker provided the following statement to Yahoo Life:

” ‘Mr. Friend declines to respond to every false insinuation and suggestion from Mr. Champion, whose Facebook accusation of ‘blatant bigotry’ is based on nothing but conjecture as to what motivated Mr. Friend’s critiques. As Mr. Champion acknowledges, Mr. Friend in late 2019 offered Mr. Champion a staff reporter’s position at WCBS in New York — not exactly the action of a bigot out to ruin Mr. Champion’s career.

” ‘After some consideration, Mr. Champion turned down that job offer. To be clear, Mr. Friend’s critiques of Mr. Champion were always based on performance and aimed at helping him improve, and had nothing to do with his race, gender, or sexual orientation.’ ”

The New York Times’ Donald McNeil Jr. said by email, “‘Don’t believe everything you read.”

N.Y. Times Writer ‘Disciplined’ for Race Comments

The New York Times on Thursday said it investigated and “disciplined” the newspaper’s most prominent science and health reporter, Donald McNeil Jr., over inappropriate comments — including use of the ‘n-word’ — that McNeil allegedly made while accompanying students on a trip to Peru in 2019.

“In a statement first given to the Daily Beast, the Times acknowledged students complained about McNeil after the trip, which is part of the newspaper’s educational travel program for middle and high school students. McNeil had gone along as an expert,” Jeremy Barr wrote in The Washington Post.

“ ‘We subsequently became aware of complaints by some of the students on the trip concerning certain statements Donald had made during the trip,’ “a Times spokesperson told Journal-isms and other news outlets, without specifying how much time had passed since the trip. “We conducted a thorough investigation and disciplined Donald for statements and language that had been inappropriate and inconsistent with our values.”

“The statement said McNeil ‘had used bad judgment by repeating a racist slur in the context of a conversation about racist language.’ At least two students had accused him of using racist and sexist remarks, including using the n-word, according to the Daily Beast report.

“McNeil sounded defiant when reached for comment by The Post on Thursday afternoon. ‘Don’t believe everything you read,’ he said in an email, with no further elaboration. . . .”

“New York Times Executive Editor Dean Baquet addressed the report in a memo to staffers on Thursday night. ‘When I first heard the story, I was outraged and expected I would fire him,’ he said.

“While Baquet said that McNeil’s comments were ‘offensive’ and ‘showed extremely poor judgment,’ he determined that McNeil’s intentions were not ‘hateful or malicious’ and that he deserved another chance.

“Many journalists expressed shock or anger on social media as news of the complaints circulated Thursday, including some of McNeil’s colleagues. ‘I’m sorry, but I am just speechless,’ business investigations editor David Enrich wrote on Twitter.”

The Daily Beast report by Maxwell Tani and Lachlan Cartwright said that after the Peru excursion ended, “according to multiple parents of students on the trip who spoke with The Daily Beast along with documents shared with the Times and reviewed by the Beast, many participants relayed a series of troubling accusations to the paper: McNeil repeatedly made racist and sexist remarks throughout the trip including, according to two complaints, using the ‘n-word.’

“A photo from the trip showed that at least 26 students participated. Of that group, at least six students or their parents told the tour company that partnered with the Times that McNeil used racially insensitive or outright racist language while accompanying the participants on the trip, which according to the Times website typically costs nearly $5,500.

“Two students specifically alleged that the science reporter used the ‘n-word’ and suggested he did not believe in the concept of white privilege; three other participants alleged that McNeil made racist comments and used stereotypes about Black teenagers.

Tani and Cartwright also wrote, “Following the reviews from participants, Times managers were immediately concerned, alerting the paper’s public-relations shop and its publisher, A.G. Sulzberger, to the alarming accusations. ‘It’s highly likely his comments will become public at some point,’ Danielle Rhoades Ha, a vice president of communications for the Times, warned colleagues in an email exchange reviewed by The Daily Beast. . . .”

Toriano Porter, opinion writer on The Kansas City Star Editorial Board, moderated Wednesday’s online community forum. (video)

K.C. Star’s Apology Inspires Miami Herald

The Kansas City Star’s apology last month for its years of racism has inspired others, such as The Miami Herald, to question whether they, too, should examine their history, Star Editor Michael Fannin told an online community meeting Wednesday night.

However, as Luke Nozicka reported for the Star, “The Kansas City Star’s apology to Black residents was the first step in reconciling with its racist past, but the newspaper has more work to do to establish community trust, said guests of a live panel discussion . . .

“During the virtual event about The Star’s six-part ‘Truth in Black and white’ project, Michele Watley, founder of Shirley’s Kitchen Cabinet, said the newspaper’s path to reconciliation with Black residents will take years to accomplish.

“ ‘You can’t take back what’s already happened in history. How do you make up for 100 years of bad narratives?’ said Watley, whose nonprofit focuses on issues of importance to Black women and families in Kansas City.”

Fannin said the discussion at The Miami Herald was just in the talking stages, and new Herald editor Monica Richardson (pictured) agreed.

“We are in the very early stages of considering this for Miami,” Richardson messaged Journal-isms on Thursday.

“We are seriously committed to discovering what we need to say to our audience about the Miami Herald’s history with regard to race, race relations and how we did or did not cover our communities, especially communities of color. Ultimately, as with anything, we want to end up with storytelling that is rich with depth, compelling, transparent and informative.

“As you know the Miami newsroom has a lot of legacy — journalists who have been committed for decades and this gives us a knowledge base that will serve us very well as we begin our discussions.

“Personally, I believe it is something that every newsroom in America should consider. This is the kind of project that has the potential to build trust, tear down walls, allow for healing, generate discussion in communities, in boardrooms and at kitchen tables. While it may be painful for some, it can — and should — educate and inspire change.”

The issue of trust — emphasized at the Kansas City meeting — is key to countering disinformation. Trust can be enhanced by a news report that consumers find credible, many observers (including this columnist in an appearance Thursday on public radio’s “The Takeaway”) have argued. That especially holds true for communities of color.

“Fannin agreed actions had to follow,” Nozicka reported. The editor “said one of the paper’s first steps, though mostly symbolic, was stripping from The Star words and [an] image that recognized William Rockhill Nelson, its first publisher and founder.

Nelson supported local developer J.C. Nichols, whose use of racist restrictive covenants accelerated Kansas City’s racial divide.

“The Star has also created a board to advise editors and reporters on a host of issues, including how to improve coverage of all communities of color, Fannin said. The group will meet for the first time Thursday with ‘a full agenda,’ he said. . . .”

In a 6,000-word piece in the Columbia Journalism Review on Tuesday, staff writer Alexandria Neason observed, “The history of American journalism is inextricably linked to white supremacy.

After chronicling efforts at diversity as well as apologies for past conduct, Neason wrote, “Apologies are crucial to the ongoing work of accountability. It can be heartening to see news outlets engage in acts of penance. But they are not the same as reparations — the subject of which has become more mainstream in recent years, thanks in large part to Ta-Nehisi Coates, one of the most prominent Black journalists in the business. . . .”

Reparations can come in many forms. A more representative newsroom is no doubt the minimum response.

And that diversity should include top management. “We support Monica Richardson in her efforts to address systemic racism within the Miami Herald,” Jawan Strader (pictured), president of the South Florida chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists, messaged Journal-isms Friday.

“Back in September of last year, before Monica was hired as the first black editor to lead the Miami Herald, NABJ South Florida and NABJ demanded a meeting with the publisher of the Miami Herald.  There were a number of racially insensitive remarks/tweets by the sportswriter Armando Salguero.  The Miami Herald listened to our concerns to address systemic racism and diversity and inclusion.

“The recent hire of Monica Richardson is a fresh start to addressing issues involving racism or ignorance on race that may have otherwise been overlooked at the Miami Herald.  I believe if she examines the past of the Herald she and her staff will better understand areas within the company that need improvement.  I can’t tell you by examining the past if racism would be found, but I can tell you that systemically, it’s been a part of the Miami Herald’s DNA which is why it’s important to have Monica in her role as the executive editor.  She’s hit the ground running and has our full support.”

In her Columbia Journalism Review piece, Neason wrote, “Too often, conversations aiming to assess a newsroom’s performance come with an urge to self-congratulate, so as to soften the embarrassment of too-slow progress. We are eager to talk about our gains, yet still too skittish in confronting our failures. After decades of attempting reform, we need to wonder how sincere we’ve been, if we have been truly reckoning with anything at all. . . .”

David Ng Leaves N.Y. to Lead Providence Journal

“A long journalism career in New York and New Jersey, punctuated by historic local and national events and a newsroom Pulitzer Prize, has brought David Ng (pictured) to The Providence Journal as the new executive editor,” Nicole Simmons reported Jan. 21, updated Jan. 22, for the Providence Journal.

“Ng follows Alan Rosenberg, who retired in December after almost 43 years at the newspaper in various roles.

“ ‘The goal of any paper is to be the town square for its citizens — whether it’s a city, state or nation — a place where we gather to share our stories and to exchange ideas and debate our opinions,’ Ng said.

“It used to be just print, but now it’s also a digital town hall. These are tough times and people are making tough decisions. And our neighbors, friends and families need facts, information that they can trust, to make those tough decisions. And the powers that be need to know that. The Providence Journal’s soul is fulfilling that mission. I hope to keep fulfilling that mission for readers, present and future.’  

“Ng, 62, is a veteran journalist with decades of experience in the competitive New York City market. He is a former executive editor of the Daily News in New York. He was associate managing editor at the New York Post, his first journalism job out of Marist College and where he worked for almost 13 years. He was later senior news editor at Newsday on Long Island and assistant managing editor at The Star-Ledger in New Jersey.  . . .”

Passings . . .

A group of Asian Americans, including descendants of Chinese railroad workers, recreated an iconic photo in 2014, on the 145th anniversary of the first transcontinental railroad’s completion at Promontory Summit, Utah. “Much of the building was done by thousands of laborers brought in from China, but their faces were left out of photographs taken on that momentous day.” Hansi Lo Wang wrote for NPR.

Corky Lee, Photographer of Asian American Life

“Corky Lee, an award-winning photographer who captured the everyday lives and political activism of the Asian American community, has died at the age of 73 after battling Covid-19,” Jessie Yeung reported Thursday for CNN.

” ‘It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Corky (Young Kwok) Lee’ (pictured), said a statement from Lee’s family on Wednesday evening. ‘Corky, as he was known to the Asian American community, was everywhere. He always had a camera around his neck, documenting a community event, capturing a social injustice for the record and even correcting the social injustice of an historical event that took place well over a century ago. He did what he loved and we loved him for it. . . .

” ‘He has left us with what is likely to be the single largest repository of the photographic history of Asian Americans of the past half century.’ “

The Asian American Journalists Association added, “A founding member of AAJA’s New York chapter, he helped to create the annual ‘Voices’ program for college students and helped raise over $100,000 for student scholarships through the annual Photo Auctions. . . .”

“His family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations in Corky’s memory be made to AAJA, in order to support aspiring photojournalists and the AAJA Photojournalists Affinity Group. (Please visit the AAJA donation page, select ‘In Memory Of’ and write ‘Corky Lee.’)”

During Lee’s illness, 643 people contributed to a Facebook campaign that raised $46,832 for a “Recovery Fund.”

Columnist Emil Guillermo wrote, “Last Sunday, nearly 300 friends and family members gathered on Zoom to pray, but not for some anonymous Covid warrior, intubated and comatose. A hospital chaplain held the camera, and the lens was on Corky.”

“AAJA New York is collecting memories of Corky. To contribute, use this DropBox or email aajanychapter@gmail.com.

David Ibata, Editor in Atlanta, Chicago

David Ibata (pictured), a longtime editor at the Chicago Tribune and Atlanta Journal-Constitution, died Tuesday from Covid-19 and pneumonia, Jessica Xiao reported Thursday for the Asian American Journalists Association. Ibata was a founding member of AAJA’s Chicago chapter. He was 66.

Ibata “was a pioneer within AAJA. In 1989, David and broadcast journalist Linda Yu started the organization’s Chicago chapter after the two met in a conference room at O’Hare International Airport, marveling over how they had found one of the few other Asian-American journalists in the area.”

Xiao also wrote, “David, a Southern Illinois University, Carbondale graduate, spent most of his career at the Chicago Tribune, where he helped expand the Tribune’s suburban coverage as a reporter and editor. One former colleague said ‘no finer wrangler of suburban stringers existed.’ He later joined the newsroom’s pioneering website team, editing breaking news and posting stories to the home page. . . .”

NBA Writer Sekou Smith, 48, of COVID-19

“Sekou Smith (pictured), an award-winning basketball writer and NBA TV analyst, passed away at 48 years old after a battle with COVID-19,” Madeline Coleman reported for Sports Illustrated. “He is survived by his wife Heather and three children.”

NBA commissioner Adam Silver called Smith “a beloved member of the NBA family and “one of the most affable and dedicated reporters in the NBA and a terrific friend to so many across the league.” 

NBA.com devoted a page to tweets of remembrance from Smith’s friends, colleagues and admirers.

Coleman added, “After graduating from Jackson State University in 1997, he wrote for the Indianapolis Star and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, covering the Pacers and the Hawks. Smith ended up joining Turner Sports in 2009 and worked as a reporter and an analyst for NBA.com and NBA TV.

“His main shows with NBA TV included ‘Game Time’ and ‘The Beat,’ and Smith was the host and creator of NBA.com’s ‘Hang Time’ podcast and blog. His last podcast appearance was Jan. 11. . . .”

Laura Waterman Wittstock, Native Pathbreaker

Laura Waterman Wittstock, Seneca (pictured), a leader in Minnesota’s Indian community and a pathfinder and pathbreaker for Native American journalism, died Jan.16 at 83, news outlets reported. She had battled an autoimmune disease for years, according to her family, Alex Chhith wrote for the Star Tribune in Minneapolis.

Wittstock was a co-founder of MIGIZI Communications, which “acts as a circle of support that nurtures the development of Native American youth in order to unleash their creativity and dreams – to benefit themselves, their families and community.“

She led MIGIZI, which means “eagle” in Ojibwe, for nearly three decades, Healing Minnesota Stories reported.

“Native American journalists had ridiculously few opportunities to work for the establishment press, Waterman Wittstock said. She recalled that WTCN TV Channel 11 ran an Indian news program during the unenviable time slot of 8:30 a.m., Saturday morning. WTCN controlled the content. It had low production value; it was taped in one 30-minute take without editing.

“In 1969, people who were publishing tribal news — anything from a newsletter to a tab-sized newspaper — got together and formed the American Indian Press Association,” said Waterman Wittstock, who was one of its directors.

“MIGIZI spun off of that work.”

Healing Minnesota Stories also wrote, “Waterman Wittstock helped chronicle the history of the American Indian Movement (AIM). She collaborated with photographer Dick Bancroft on ‘We are still here, a book documenting AIM’s early years. She wrote two other books, including ‘Ininatig’s Gift of Sugar: Traditional Native Sugarmakings.’ “

Veteran journalist Robin Washington, former editor of the News Tribune, messaged Journal-isms, “She’d asked me to produce stuff for her (‘Robin – I need three multicultural half-hours – quick!’) and she graciously wrote for me for everything from Fellowship Magazine to the Duluth News Tribune. . . . “

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Richard Prince’s Journal-isms originates from Washington. It began in print before most of us knew what the internet was, and it would like to be referred to as a “column.” Any views expressed in the column are those of the person or organization quoted and not those of any other entity. Send tips, comments and concerns to Richard Prince at journal-isms+owner@groups.io

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