Antonio Villaraigosa,  California,  Los Angeles,  Mirthala Salinas

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Mirthala Salinas and Bikini Journalism

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Veteran WMAQ-TV reporter Amy Jacobson, wearing a halter bikini top and towel, appears in an image from video posted Tuesday, July 10, 2007, on WBBM-TV’s Web site. Jacobson, her two young children and a bare-chested Craig Stebic are also shown in the video captured Friday, July 6, 2007, near a pool at Stebic’s Plainfield, Ill., home. Managers at Chicago’s NBC affiliate were reportedly considering Tuesday how to deal with Jacobson who was assigned to cover the disappearance of Stebic’s estranged wife, Lisa.

Howard Kurtz: Bikini Journalism

Kurtz asks the questions of Telemundo Channel 52 and the Los Angeles MSM:

The episode was reminiscent of the huge embarrassment involving Mirthala Salinas, the Telemundo anchor and reporter in Los Angeles who is having an affair with the city’s mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa. Salinas, who had covered the mayor, somehow thought it was a good idea last month to read a story announcing his breakup with his wife, leaving out a certain pertinent fact.

When California blogger Luke Ford broke the story, which was confirmed by the Los Angeles Daily News, Salinas put out statements confirming the relationship, pleading for privacy and insisting she did nothing inappropriate — but not addressing the obvious conflict. She has granted no interviews.

Neither have Telemundo executives who put out a statement praising Salinas as “one of our most respected reporters and a great professional,” only to suspend her — with pay — the following day. Despite conflicting accounts over whether Salinas told her bosses of the affair with Villaraigosa or misled them by saying it was just a friendship, the L.A. station still hasn’t addressed what happened.

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“The little firecracker with the Chiclet smile” and Mayor Villaraigosa

While Mayor Villar stonewalls the media and sends forth the spin meisters, what is happening with Telemundo and Mirthala Salinas?

Flap tells you – if this were a conservative or Republican politician the Los Angeles Times and the non-Hispanic television stations would be all over all of their asses. But, with apologists like Los Angeles Times columnist Al Martinez who excuses their behavior as “not unusual” what do you expect?

So, again, what you gonna do, Telemundo?

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Mirthala Salinas, a Telemundo newswoman, interviews L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa at the state Capitol on June 21, 2006. Villaraigosa has now acknowledged that he has “a relationship” with Salinas.

Previous:

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Villaraigosa Skips TV Interview – Dispatches Spin Masters

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Mirthala Salinas’ Condo Prompts Ethics Questions for Mayor

Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: The Redemption Tour Or A Lesson in How To Spin the Truth

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Sabrina Kay Says NO To Affair with Mayor; Mayor Says NO to Other Affairs

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: He’s BACK

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Monday Antonio and Mirthala

Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Latinas Feel Betrayed As MORE Rumors Circulate; Update: More Women to Watch?

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Sabrina Kay Rumors Heat Up Los Angeles City Hall

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Fading Latino Star – Another Alleged Affair Leaves Questions

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Mirthala Salinas Placed on Leave by Telemundo

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Still A Contender for California Governor in 2008?

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: The End of a Political Career


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