EEOC Sues FNC over Herridge Complaint: Update
Politico’s Keach Hagey received a statement from FNC on the EEOC lawsuit…
A Fox spokesperson said: “We’re not going to respond to a suspiciously timed press release from the EEOC.”
The timing is interesting to say the least and it occurred to me when I first heard about this. But let’s be honest here. This non-response is most definitely a response. Else, why add the “suspiciously timed” part to the statement?
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October 1, 2010 at 4:45 am
What’s the issue with the timing? We’re obviously missing something.
October 1, 2010 at 6:32 am
Here’s a link to an article with a lot more info on this issue including documents.
http://www.tbd.com/blogs/amanda-hess/2010/09/catherine-herridge-files-fox-news-gender-discrimination-suit-2513.html
October 1, 2010 at 6:35 am
Yeah, what is that? The election? Like maybe this somehow helps the Democrats? Dumb.
October 1, 2010 at 6:50 am
According to court documents, Herridge began filing discrimination complaints with Fox in 2006, alleging that “female and black correspondents were given less desirable shifts” in the network and that repeatedly, assignments—including an anchor job—were either denied or “taken away from her” due to her sex and age.
I hate to take FNC’s side.. ya know! But, the reason the anchor job was denied is because she was plain awful.
At some point these “wannabe anchors” need to realize they suck and that’s the bottom line.
Lastly, I have mentioned plenty of times how CNN has way more minorities on the air than FNC & MSNBC combined. So, perhaps Catherine H. should let the REAL MINORITIES file a suit if that’s how they feel.
Sheesh.
October 1, 2010 at 7:58 am
I like Herridge… but if her complaint is based solely on the idea that she didn’t get an anchor job, or they didn’t dress her in “certain shirts,” I’m not sure how she’s going to win this one.
Herridge is a high caliber reporter. She’s stern, serious, and sometimes severe… but all in a good way. She’ a tough reporter… but doesn’t seem terribly personable. In other words, you’d want her investigating by something was happening, but you wouldn’t be overly eager to have a beer with her afterwards.
Ah well…
Anyway, the idea of “timing” comes from the fact that it’s “the Feds” who are pursuing this, and are thusly under the arm of a particular branch of the government which (especially of recent) has expressed… displeasure… in FOX News. I don’t know how realistic it is to think that the government would be unethically pushing lawsuits on some groups (while denying suits on other groups)… if only there were some precedent of that happening already………..
But seriously, I don’t know if that’s the case… or if it really matters. Frankly, I don’t think the people suing on Herridge’s behalf, have too much of a leg to stand on.
October 1, 2010 at 8:09 am
“if only there were some precedent of that happening already………..”
I know you weren’t referring to this suit blue; but interestingly there was another similar suit filed against Fox News in 2005 by the EEOC for a reporter named Kim Weiler alleging the same treatment so their is some precedent for this suit.
October 1, 2010 at 8:10 am
oops. their>there
October 1, 2010 at 10:15 am
I think we need to stop pretending that appearance and personality has nothing to do with television news. I just don’t think Herridge has the television personality to be behind the desk. She’s a great reporter, but not an anchor. And to use the excuse of age, gender, or appearance is simply (IMO) a manipulation of the system.
Is this where we are as a society? If you don’t get the promotions or positions you feel you’re deserved, you sue? Yeesh.
October 1, 2010 at 10:15 am
FNC Says Years-Old Discrimination Lawsuit Is “Politically Motivated” By Obama Administration: http://mediaite.com/a/jpviu
Much better story!
I can’t believe she thought she was worth almost $1M a year!
–
lso, A Fox executive tells Mediaite, “the EEOC’s press release omits the fact that Herridge demanded to be paid in excess of $900,000 (a 96% increase) in the first year of her proposed new contract with escalating salary increases thereafter, and that’s why her new deal was not signed until June 2009. When her salary demands became more reasonable, the contract was signed.” Sources in a position to know say Herridge is among the D.C. bureau’s highest paid correspondents, making more than $500,000 a year.
—
October 1, 2010 at 10:43 am
WOW! Herridge must be out of her mind. IMO, she isn’t worth 100K a year.
October 1, 2010 at 10:51 am
At some point these “wannabe anchors” need to realize they suck and that’s the bottom line.
Sure. Like when Ainsley Earhardt and Courtney Friel are repeatedly given opportunities for which they are waaaaaaaaay underqualified, but show skin?
Catherine Herridge may not be a hottie, but at least she’s smart and doesn’t embarrass herself (and the entire so-called news network) every time she opens her mouth. But she doesn’t get the opportunities that Earhardt and Friel have been getting for 3 1/2 years? And why might that be?
October 1, 2010 at 11:00 am
And why might that be?
Because Fox won’t be happy until every last woman on their air looks like a porn star. Have you seen Martha McCallum lately? Yeah, she was so hideous before..
October 1, 2010 at 11:04 am
boogiewoogee Says:
October 1, 2010 at 10:51 am
And why might that be?
BECAUSE SHE’S NOT AN ANCHOR!!
Just because she’s a good reporter, doesn’t mean she needs to keep getting promoted until they find something she’s NOT good at!
Some people are good news readers, some are good news finders. Herridge is a finder, not a reader… and that’s not necessarily a bad thing!
joeremi Says:
October 1, 2010 at 11:00 am
Yes, I hate attractive women too. There should be a law that states only ugly people, or moderately attractive people dressed poorly can appear on television.
Ugh.
October 1, 2010 at 11:08 am
Yes, I hate attractive women too.
Nice “missing the point”, Blue. See: Yeah, she was so hideous before..
They’re taking already stunning women and making them all look exactly like Marilyn Monroe. It’s getting creepy.
October 1, 2010 at 11:09 am
Because Fox won’t be happy until every last woman on their air looks like a porn star. Have you seen Martha McCallum lately? Yeah, she was so hideous before..
Neither of us is around lately at that time. What’s happened to Martha? Did they bimbo her up? :-/
October 1, 2010 at 11:12 am
BECAUSE SHE’S NOT AN ANCHOR!!
Just because she’s a good reporter, doesn’t mean she needs to keep getting promoted until they find something she’s NOT good at!
Some people are good news readers, some are good news finders. Herridge is a finder, not a reader… and that’s not necessarily a bad thing!
That still doesn’t explain why Ainsley Earhardt gets to do anything other that read headlines. She is horrendous at having to ad lib and often reveals her utter lack of basic knowledge re current events and even some simple history. She also doesn’t understand that the First Amendment isn’t up for a vote.
Nor does it explain Friel who is completely incompetent at everything she does on TV, other than grinning and posing.
October 1, 2010 at 11:27 am
Keep in mind that Herridge had no role in the lawsuit. She filed the complaint in 2007! Just now, right before the election, The Obama Administration is trying to hurt FNC (according to FNC PR).
October 1, 2010 at 11:34 am
Sure. Like when Ainsley Earhardt and Courtney Friel are repeatedly given opportunities for which they are waaaaaaaaay underqualified, but show skin?
Catherine Herridge may not be a hottie, but at least she’s smart and doesn’t embarrass herself (and the entire so-called news network) every time she opens her mouth. But she doesn’t get the opportunities that Earhardt and Friel have been getting for 3 1/2 years? And why might that be?
Boogie – Catherine Herridge has embarrassed herself every time she’s been given a “shot” at anchoring.
Btw, I seriously doubt her “idea” of anchoring is sitting in the middle chair on F&F. Stop trying to make everything about Earhardt and Friel you restraining order waiting to happen.
October 1, 2010 at 11:35 am
Neither of us is around lately at that time. What’s happened to Martha? Did they bimbo her up? :-/
Yep. The hair keeps getting blonder and poofier, and the face is buried under an inch of cake. Same thing they did to Kirsten Powers last week, though my sources tell me she looked more like Kirsten again this morning.
October 1, 2010 at 12:11 pm
terance: If they seek restraining orders merely because of some criticism on the ‘net, they’re even dumber than already assumed.
Joe: That’s sad. Martha is a very pretty woman and doesn’t need all that garbage. We don’t know Kirsten, but have heard that at the time she started appearing on Fox as a regular, she got a major makeover. If they took that even further, that’s also sad.
October 1, 2010 at 12:15 pm
I think the women of FNC would feel better if Mr. & Mrs. Boogie had their photos distributed to Fox Security. Ya know, just in case either one of ya “graduate” to stalking.
October 1, 2010 at 12:40 pm
Project much, ter?
October 1, 2010 at 2:16 pm
joeremi Says:
October 1, 2010 at 11:08 am
I just don’t like Martha’s hair at the moment. But honestly, I’ll leave those decisions to the pros. If the studies say that blondes get more eyeballs… then so be it. I’ll listen to what they have to say first, and objectify them later.
boogiewoogee Says:
October 1, 2010 at 11:12 am
That still doesn’t explain why Ainsley Earhardt gets to do anything other that read headlines.
I think they’re trying to groom her to be better at XYZ job. I think there’s an assumption that “anchor” is higher on the job chart than “reporter.” I’m not sure that’s always true.
Nor does it explain Friel who is completely incompetent at everything she does on TV, other than grinning and posing.
So it would be better if they put her out in the field, and put Herridge in the studio?
October 3, 2010 at 7:50 am
How long are they going to try to groom her? 3+ years and she’s still an uneducated, uniformed, bland twit.
As for Friel, she belongs in print, where nobody has to listen to her painful attempts at speaking. But instead, the most inept, least intelligent woman in the history of TV news gets chance after chance after chance, while other women get far less.
We like most of the D.C. bureau/programming on Fox, but much of the NY stuff leaves us cold.