“The news director of a Michigan NBC affiliate ordered her reporters to ease up on coverage of LGBT-focused stories during Pride Month, saying the news pieces were upsetting some of the station’s conservative viewers.

“We know that West Michigan is a Conservative area in many ways. We need to recognize that some stories related to LGBTQ issues are going to be controversial and polarizing in our community. While you personally may not agree with a certain position, people are entitled to their opinions, and they are our viewers.f the memo was first reported early Monday morning by media columnist Scott Jones at his website FTV Live, who noted that WOOD-TV had covered numerous St. Patrick’s Day events without any apparent pushback or consideration for station resources.

The memo, penned by WOOD-TV (Channel 8) Assistant News Director Amy Fox, followed several reports that focused on a celebration hosted in the city of Grand Rapids after officials there approved a permit for an inaugural Pride Month parade.

The memo was a rare instance of a news executive encouraging reporters to sideline stories based on the political affiliations of its viewers. Fox did not respond to an email from The Desk seeking comment, nor did the station’s news director, Stanton Tang.”

the desk

The memo was first reported early Monday morning by media columnist Scott Jones at his website FTV Live, who noted that WOOD-TV had covered numerous St. Patrick’s Day events without any apparent pushback or consideration for station resources.

WOOD-TV is owned by Waystar Nexstar Media Group, which is the largest owner of local broadcast television stations in the country. On its website, Nexstar says the company “strive[s] to foster a culture of diversity and inclusion, so all of our employees feel respected, and no one feels discriminated against.”

Right.