A memo to the staff at WOOD-TV (Channel 8) in Grand Rapids, Michigan, forced the general manager to issue an apology in a bid to dodge the anger of a woke mob and maintain the parent company’s ESG ratings.
In the offending Tuesday memo, staff were asked to “do some work to discern the newsworthy-ness” of Pride events, according to the Detroit Free Press, which obtained a copy of it.
“We know that West Michigan is a conservative area in many ways,” the memo read. “We need to recognize that some stories related to LGBTQ issues are going to be controversial and polarizing in our community.”
To the memo’s point, a glance at WOOD-TV’s Twitter feed since the beginning of June reveals no fewer than 11 Pride-related headlines.
June is National Pride Month, and in Grand Haven, people came together in solidarity for the LGBTQ+ community Saturday for the city’s inaugural Pride Festival.https://t.co/5DtzVmA2yZ
— WOOD TV8 (@WOODTV) June 11, 2023
And for the author’s efforts to consider the station’s demographics, WOOD-TV’s owners — Texas-based Nexstar Media Group — launched an investigation.
In a groveling Thursday response, Gary Weitman, the executive vice president of Nexstar, apologized “for offending members of the LGBTQ community and WOOD-TV’s viewers” and vowed to “take appropriate action as necessary to address this situation.”
The company, Weitman promised, is “looking into the situation.”
“[T]he communication regarding the station’s coverage of PRIDE month activities in the area is not consistent with Nexstar’s values, the way we cover the news, or the respect we have for our viewers,” the suit stated, adding that “diversity, equity, and inclusion are among Nexstar’s core values.”
“Our local TV stations are expected to cover and report the news of the day in an expansive and inclusive fashion, consistent with these values,” Weitman declared.
On Saturday morning, after a couple of days of Rainbow silence, WOOD-TV was back on the LGTBQ+ wagon with a feature about “the evolution of gay pride across Michigan.”
“Michigan’s first gay pride event was held in 1972. Grand Rapids held its first event in 1988,” the station tweeted. “Now, pride events are seen all across the country, and not just in big cities.”
Michigan’s first gay pride event was held in 1972. Grand Rapids held its first event in 1988. Now, pride events are seen all across the country, and not just in big cities. https://t.co/OnBzvkcFtQ
— WOOD TV8 (@WOODTV) June 17, 2023
If the comments in any way reflect the sentiments of WOOD-TV viewers, they aren’t feeling the “respect.”
Not something to be proud of.
— Dee DeVries (@delene1969) June 17, 2023
Such good parades, they got the kids involved. What is it that gay people are expressing..? Gay sex. Now where is that float that tosses out condoms..?
— Greg (@GregSisson67) June 17, 2023
Are we sick of this garbage being forced on us? Yes, we are! pic.twitter.com/XtW6s96xIl
— Mike Mangan (@mangan_mike) June 17, 2023
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Melissa Fine is the former executive editor of Casino Player, Strictly Slots, and Poker
Digest magazines. She is a UCLA graduate, news junkie, and dedicated Stargate SG-
1 fan. Melissa currently lives with her dog and two cats in a tiny town in the Sierra
Nevada foothills.
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