Graphic courtesy of ERS News
Telemundo faces tough choice in ethics case involving newscaster
Spanish language broadcaster Telemundo finds itself in a tough position as it investigates a political reporter who had an affair with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and then reported on air that he was splitting from his wife of 20 years.
Mirthala Salinas, 35, who has been on leave for two weeks while the station investigates her conduct, has said station managers knew of her relationship with the mayor before she anchored the news of his break up. As a result, Telemundo is likely to be second-guessed no matter what happens to Salinas.
Ethics experts have already blasted Telemundo affiliate KVEA for not conducting a probe when station managers were first informed of her relationship with Villaraigosa 11 months ago.
While some may paint the Salinas affair as an obvious conflict of interest, the private nature of the relationship may make it harder for Telemundo to apply ethics guidelines.
Private nature of the relationship? What are they talking about? Everyone in the newsroom and management at NBC/Telemundo knew for months that Mirthala had an ongoing illicit and secret affair with the Mayor of Los Angeles.
As Luke Ford asked: why hasn’t anyone done a story on Mirthala’s reputation as a Power Fuc**r.
It is well known that Salinas had sexual relationships with both Speaker of the California Assembly Fabian Nunez and former City Council President and now California State Senator Alex Padilla.
Mayor Villaragosia and Mirthala Salinas both attend the (SVREP)
Southwest Voter Registration Education Project Latino Vote 2005 Banquet
in Los Angeles. Salina’s former boyfriend California’s Speaker of the
Assembly Fabian Nunez is also in attendance.
(July 15th, 2005)
Balancing Telemundo’s responsibility to Salinas with what it owes the public could explain the length of the investigation.
“There’s what they have to do legally. But then the other issue is what they owe their audience to recover their credibility. That’s a completely different question,” said Kelly McBride, ethics group leader at the Poynter Institute, a journalism foundation in St. Petersburg, Fla.
The station might also be carefully considering how to change the culture that allowed Salinas to continue in her job after revealing she was secretly dating the mayor.
Station managers said they removed Salinas from the political beat when the affair became known.
“I don’t think you can be complicit in dishonest behavior, even if it is private behavior and especially if it involves a very powerful public official,” McBride said.
Station spokesman Victor Franco declined to discuss the situation.
KNBC fired Kyung Lah for her convoluted affair with a KNBC producer. Remember?
Remember who fired Kyung Lah, “Today in L.A.” producer Jeff Soto, and 11 p.m. news producer Jim Bunner – General Manager Paula Madison.
Manuel Abud VP/GM KVEA-TV/Telemundo & Paula Madison former
General Manager KNBC-TV Los Angeles
From Eric Longabardi
Sources inside NBC/Universal confirm to ERSNews that Paula Madison, former General Manager of KNBC-TV and now head of diversity for NBC/Universal had the authority and was in fact the person who was responsible for removing Salinas from the political reporting beat due to her personal relationship with the Mayor. ERSNews sought direct comment from Ms. Madison about her role in the case, but was referred to NBC/Telemundo spokesman Victor Franco, who declined comment, saying only that the internal investigation of the matter was nearing completion and they withhold any comment until it was complete. Asked by ERSNew.com when that would be, spokesman Franco would only say “soon”.
So, will Paula Madison pull the trigger on Mirthala Salinas and fire her?
Doubtful……
If they do terminate her, the resulting lawsuit against NBC/Universal/Telemundo will put all of management under oath to testify as to what they knew and when they knew it. Management knew about the affair and “covered it up” to enrich their station’s access to the Mayor’s office.
Mirhtala Salinas will NOT be fired.
Ethics dilemmas for NBC and Telemundo?
What ethics?
Stay tuned…….
During the course of a television interview on June 19, 2006, Villaraigosa walks with Salinas outside the state Capitol.
Previous:
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Mirthala Salinas Question of the Day
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: What and When Did Telemundo/NBC Know About the Villaraigosa – Mirthala Salinas Affair?
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: KNBC Television Requests Mayor’s E-mails and Calendar
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Mirthala Salinas and the New York Minute
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Mirthala Salinas and Bikini Journalism
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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