"We may not love the practice, but we know not to take it personally.". Station sources said many staff had been previously concerned about Mesters temper. After nearly 24 years, Lynette Romero, our friend Lynette, has decided to move on from anchoring our weekend morning news," Pete Saiers, the station's news director, wrote in a statement that was read by entertainment reporter Sam Rubin during a Sept. 14 segment. "After 24 years, Lynette Romero has decided to move on from anchoring our weekend morning news," Drafs said. Staffers said they saw Mester pacing back and forth with an angry look prior to stepping on set for the Saturday segment. We had hoped she would record a farewell message to viewers, but she declined. According to the Los Angeles Times, KTLA informed staffers of Mester's firing on Thursday afternoon, just over a week after the station announced his Weekend Morning Newsco-anchor, Lynette Romero, had resigned. We really wanted her to stayand KTLA Management worked hard to make that happen. Mester was irritated that co-anchor Lynette Romero, whom Mester referred to his as best friend, told the administration she was resigning after 24 years to anchor at another station and the board didnt permit her to have a live farewell. I love you so much, and you really are my best friend, you did not deserve what happened to you on Wednesday. "KTLA management had hoped she would stay here her entire career, and KTLA worked hard to make that happen," Rubin added. During the exchange with management, Mester allegedly yelled obscenities that could be heard by other staffers in the newsroom. "We really wanted her to stay, and KTLA Management worked hard to make that happen. ", Download Game Free - Install and play now, News Anchor Suspended for Criticizing the Treatment of Former Co-Anchor amid Controversial Departure, CTV News Anchor Lisa LaFlamme 'Blindsided' After Being Told Her Contract Wouldn't Be Renewed After 35 Years. Several sources at the station said it was common knowledge that staffers were concerned about Mester's temper and what was described as his "disrespectful" behavior to women and had complained to management. The scandal exposed deep-rooted cultural problems at Fox, sparked numerous lawsuits and led the Murdochs to make sweeping changes. The station's general manager, Janene Drafs, announced the firing with a brief speech during a meeting in the newsroom around 1:15 p.m., saying, "[Mester] is no longer at KTLA5," staffers who were present for the announcement told The Times Thursday. The report added that the stations general manager, Janene Drafs, announced Mesters firing with a brief speech during a meeting in the newsroom saying, [Mester] is no longer at KTLA5.. Weekend Morning News anchor, Mark Mester, was fired on September 22, 2022, after he took it upon himself to apologize to viewers for KTLA's "rude" sendoff. Lynette, we wish you luck, we miss you and we thank you for everything you've done for KTLA. Namely, KTLA had entertainment reporter Sam Rubin break the news during a 40-second segment on a weekday news broadcast, instead of having Romero a member of KTLA for nearly 24 years say goodbye to viewers herself. Nia Long got cheated. KTLA let go of Mark Mester on Thursday after he made an emotional apology criticizing how the station handled the exit of anchor Lynette Romero, who spent over two decades at the CW affiliate. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Newsreader fired after on-air rant. Two days later, on September 17, weekend morning news co-anchor Mark Mester teased on Twitter that he was going to be addressing the situation on-air. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. You did not deserve what happened to you., Mester continued, You did not deserve this, it was a mistake, and we hope you can find it in your heart to forgive us.. Here's why. On behalf of everyone here, we wish you and your family nothing but the best.. Wendy Burch announced she is leaving her on-air role at KTLA this month. He later helmed much of the networks coverage of Hillary Clintons 2016 campaign. He covered the Obama administration as Foxs chief White House correspondent. Home Breaking News Why KTLA TV anchor Mark Mester was fired? KTLA-TV Channel 5 fired news anchor Mark Mester Thursday afternoon, days after he was suspended following an off-script segment in which he criticized the station's handling of his. Mester did not immediately respond to The Times' requests for comment Thursday. It did not take long for viewers to voice their criticism with the announcement, with some calling it "fishy" and "strange. 2. "Mark hijacked that and made it about him.". They declined to comment further. Management said that anchor Mark Mester has broken management policy and rules. The news station executives have faced mounting criticism for how they announced Romero was leaving. Full details here, The Dilbert cartoon has been removed from newspapers following racist remarks by its creator, Murdaugh Murders: Alex Murdaugh docuseries by Netflix, NBA Coach Ime Udoka scandal 2022. E! From that point forward, Romero started to lead the pack of the show, close by Mester. She won one of the local Emmy Award for reporting on Latino community in the year 2006. The news anchors name removed from the official website of KTLA. She was co-anchor of "KTLA Prime-News" and later co-anchored "KTLA Weekend Morning News," which has been among the most-watched weekend morning news shows in Southern California. Scott and Wallace said that Henry was suspended the same day and removed from his on-air responsibilities while a third-party law firm investigated the matter. When the request was denied, she took a weekday morning shift at another station. ", He then apologized to Romero, whom he called "his best friend.". You did not deserve what happened to you on Wednesday," he said referring to the brief salute she was given. News of Henrys swift firing stunned Fox News employees who learned of the sudden termination over email, people at the network told CNN Business. You can change your choices at any time by visiting your privacy controls. KTLA anchor Mark Mester was fired after responding to Lynette Romero 's departure on-air. According to the Los Angeles Times, KTLA general manager Janene Drafs. After nearly 24 years, Lynette Romero, our friend Lynette, has decided to move on from anchoring our weekend morning news, entertainment reporter Sam Rubin read from a statement written by news director Peter Saiers on September 14, according to a report from the Daily Mail. Romero also thanked her viewers, saying she was grateful for the love and affection they had given her. But now Los Angeles residents are going to miss the veteran anchor. On Sept. 17, Romero expressed her gratitude and shared a tweet from actor Holly Robinson Peete, the former co-host of CBS' "The Talk," who was fired in 2011 after just one season on the daytime talk show. According to the Los Angeles Times, general manager Janene Drafs, announced the firing with a brief speech during a meeting in the newsroom around 1:15 p.m., saying, [Mester] is no longer at KTLA5, staffers who were present for the announcement told The Times Thursday.. They also sent a statement from Drafs about Romero: After 24 years, Lynette Romero has decided to move on from anchoring our weekend morning news, said station gm Janene Drafs. At a certain point, a few staff members reviewed Mester telling one of the news chiefs to shut up and said he would not leave the structure subsequent to being approached to do as such. Weekend Morning News anchor, Mark Mester, was fired on September 22, 2022, after he took it upon himself to apologize to viewers for KTLA's "rude" sendoff. As TheWrap previously reported, Mester was suspended earlier this week after hison-air tribute to Romero in which he apologized on behalf of KTLA. General manager Janene Drafs informed the newsroom of the firing during a brief meeting, according to the Los Angeles Times, which first reported the firing. However, according to the LA Times: "Several sources at the station said it was common knowledge that staffers were concerned about Mesters temper and what was described as his 'disrespectful' behavior to women and had complained to management.". Were going to offer you dignity and grace, which is what this station shouldve done from the beginning, Mester continued in the unapproved monologue. Mesters bio has been scrubbed from the KTLA website much like Romeros was the week before immediately after her abrupt departure. Last winter he was promoted to co-anchor the 9, 10 and 11 a.m. Eastern hours with Sandra Smith on Americas Newsroom.. Both siblings recovered, and Henry wrote a memoir about the experience, which was due out in September. Nexstar told TVSpy As this is a personnel matter, we will have to decline comment.. She won multiples times local Emmy Awards. Staff members said they saw Mester walking forward and backward with an irate look before stepping on set for the Saturday segment. The KTLA website no longer lists Mester on its roster of reporters and anchors. Station sources told the outlet that Romero did not want to work weekends anymore, and had asked management to work a weekday anchor shift to allow her to spend more time with her family. He had also hired a plane with a banner to fly over the station with the message: We love you Lynette. Mester had pitched producers to include footage of the plane in the segment but was rejected. Youre constantly afraid youre going to say the wrong thing.. Our industry has a practice of quickly and quietly releasing team members who move to the competition, Ashley Regan, a producer for KTLAs Weekend Morning News show said in a statement posted to Twitter. No proper goodbye for @LynetteRomero after all these years is trash, one person wrote on Twitter. He was suspended after the on-air goodbye on Saturday morning. Lynette Romero and Mark Mester on KTLA's 'Weekend Morning News (Source: Facebook) His name is not present in the Anchors list on the official website and reports suspect it very well may be because of his off-script stunt on Saturday. But Lynette has decided to move on to another opportunity elsewhere. "Lynette, we wish you luck, we miss you and we thank you for everything youve done for KTLA. "We owe you an apology, and we owe Lynette an apology. This email address is already subscribed to the selected list(s). The whole drama started after entertainment reporter Sam Rubin informed viewers about Romeros departure on Wednesday September 14. I want to start off right now by offering up an apology to you, Mester said during Saturdays episode. How dangerous is Tropical Storm Ian 2022. He had alerted his social media followers that he was planning to address Romero's departure on that morning's show. Image Source: Google/people.com. The Times added that said some newsroom employees felt Mester had violated their trust by going off script in his goodbye. We may not love the practice, but we know not to take it personally., We are stewards pic.twitter.com/zaD63Z8tYQ, Ashley Regan (@AshleyKTLA) September 19, 2022. The Times, citing anonymous sources at the station, said Romero was seeking a weekday anchor shift to spend more time with her family, but management declined due to lack of openings. The high-profile attorney Douglas Wigdor, who has represented several women who have filed lawsuits against Fox News, said in a statement Wednesday morning that he is representing Henry's. KTLA is Southern California's source for Los Angeles breaking news, weather, traffic and live streaming video for L.A., Orange County, Ventura County, and the Inland Empire. KTLA isnt the only Los Angeles affiliate station dealing with an anchor shake-up. At one point, several staffers recalled Mester telling one of the news directors to "shut up" and said he refused to leave the building after being asked to do so. Henry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. You did not deserve what happened to you on Wednesday.. 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The newsroom drama at local Los Angeles TV stations showed no signs of cooling off Thursday, as Mark Mester, weekend co-anchor at KTLA, was fired a week after management suspended him for showing support for his departed colleague Lynette Moreno. After KTLA announced Lynette Romero was leaving the news station after 24 years, her co-anchor Mark Mester went on-air to criticize management's handling of the exit. A spokesperson for publisher William Morrow, however, said Wednesday that the publisher would no longer be publishing Henrys book. KTLA is under heat for the abrupt departure of its beloved co-anchor, Lynette Romero - following her 24-year run with the news outlet. ", While some viewers were just in shock: "Whats happening wheres @LynetteRomero and @mester_mark??? Mester was fired by KTLA-TV Channel 5 on September 22, 2022, after he criticized the stations handling of his co-anchor Lynette Romeros abrupt departure, as per the Los Angeles Times. According to the Los Angeles Times, Mester has now been fired by KTLA for his off-script rant. Fox News said Wednesday that Ed Henry, one of its top news anchors, had been fired after the network received a complaint last week of sexual harassment from years ago. Smith briefly addressed the firing on the show Wednesday morning, telling viewers that Henry had been terminated and that Scott and Wallace addressed employees in an internal memo to bring full transparency to the matter. 2 arrested for over $460,000 in stolen merch in O.C. 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Many viewers had applauded Mester's ad-libbed message, but not long after his defense of Romero, Mester was suspended, drawing even more criticism of how KTLA handled the situation. On social media, many viewers shared their confusion about Romeros sudden departure, and anger at the fact that she was not given a proper farewell. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Television KTLA anchor Mark Mester fired after emotional on-air defense of Lynette Romero Sept. 22, 2022 Sept. 14 KTLA announces Lynette Romero's exit In a news broadcast at the end of. 1.1 Related. KTLA management had hoped she would stay here her entire career, and KTLA worked hard to make that happen., Rubin continued, but Lynette has decided to move to another opportunity elsewhere. Months after Henry was sidelined, Ailes wasforced out of Fox Newsafter numerous women came forward and accused him of sexual harassment and assault. Sudden leaving of Romero last week raised many questions and criticism from the social media. Saiers later said that management had hoped Romero would record a farewell message to viewers, but she declined. We will continue striving to maintain a safe and inclusive workplace for all employees.. The news comes days after Deadline confirmed the news anchor's suspension from the station. Management said only that she had left to pursue another opportunity and lamented that she chose not to stay. 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Staffers said producers had written a script for Mester to read to send off Romero, accompanied by photos and clips of her broadcasts. Why KTLA TV anchor Mark Mester was fired? A KTLA news anchor has been fired following an on-air rant in which he criticised the way the TV station handled the departure of his co-presenter. markmeser/Instagram The firing comes after Mester bade farewell to his "best friend" Romero in a segment where he. The newsroom drama at local Los Angeles TV stations showed no signs of cooling off Thursday, as Mark Mester, weekend co-anchor at KTLA, was fired a week after management suspended him for showing . As the Times notes, Mester isn't listed on KTLA's online staff list. Mester had alerted his social media supporters that he was intending to address Romeros takeoff on that mornings show. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Mark Mester took a hit at the station on September 17 to help previous co-anchor Lynette Romero, guaranteeing KTLA didnt permit her to express farewell to watchers before she left her job. During a meeting in the newsroom on September 22, the station's general manager Janene Drafs said: " (Mester) is no longer at KTLA5," as reported by the Times, which spoke to staff members present at the meeting. She had been with the station for 24 years. KTLA weekend anchor Mark Mester was fired Thursday after criticizing the station on the air Saturday, Sept. 17, according to published reports. ", A longtime anchor at the station said he hoped viewers would separate Romero's choice to leave from Mester's behavior, which they called "unprofessional" and "reckless. Mark Mester is no longer employed by KTLA, a spokesperson for the stations parent company, Nexstar, told TheWrap. Miracle announced Tuesday on Twitter that shes leaving ABC7, which she joined in 2017 after a three-year stint at ABC30 in Fresno, California. I also want to say sorry to Lynette Romero, because Lynette I love you so much, you really are my best friend. Management said that anchor Mark Mester has broken management policy and rules. However, newsroom employees described a different scenario, saying Mester, who joined KTLA in 2014, had violated their trust. Mark Master has been fired from L.A. television station KTLA days after being suspended for openly calling out his bosses for the way they treated co-host Lynette . Which was due out in September Romero had been previously concerned about temper. Address Romero 's departure on Wednesday which was due out in September KTLA weekend Mark. Comment.. she won multiples Times local Emmy Awards last updated is under heat for the abrupt.. After responding to Lynette Romero & # x27 ; s departure on-air the pack of the,. 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And KTLA management worked hard to make that happen Romero also thanked her viewers, Mester.