Inside the EEOC/FNC Lawsuit…

Politico’s Josh Gerstein writes about details in court filings concerning the EEOC/FNC lawsuit about Catherine Herridge…

Fox News’s response to a federal government lawsuit charging the network with retaliating against a reporter who complained of age and gender discrimination is putting Fox’s DC salary scale and basic contract terms for on-air talent on the public record.

According to legal papers Fox filed Thursday evening, the top end of Fox’s pay scale for DC-based reporters was $460,000 in 2008. The network also stitched some interesting language into its contracts, including a provision that flatly banned its talent from going on CNN, MSNBC, or CNBC to promote any books the Fox news reporters might write.

The details come from Fox’s response to a lawsuit the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed against the network in September alleging that Fox retaliated against national security correspondent Catherine Herridge after she complained internally of being shunted out of a weekend anchor slot because of her age and because she’s a woman.

Unsurprisingly, Fox denies any retaliation took place.

28 Responses to “Inside the EEOC/FNC Lawsuit…”

  1. The details come from Fox’s response to a lawsuit the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed against the network in September alleging that Fox retaliated against national security correspondent Catherine Herridge after she complained internally of being shunted out of a weekend anchor slot because of her age and because she’s a woman.

    Catherine Herridge flat out sucks as an anchor.

    So, I think its about time one of the “writers” tells the damn truth about this wannabe anchor! Sheesh.

    Where is the outrage about her crying wolf?

  2. being shunted out of a weekend anchor slot because of her age and because she’s a woman.

    Read: “because she was not a younger, hotter woman.” That’s the TV biz, sweetie. I’m surprised FNC bothered to settle wth you.

    You’re right, Terance. She’s cold as ice on the screen. I wouldn’t let her near a weekend anchor slot.

  3. Remi, and its not as if she didn’t have a tryout or two. That’s how I saw her paltry attempt at anchoring in the first place.

    On a related note:

    Does Catherine Herridge honestly think her anchoring “skills” are anything but laughable?

  4. Does Catherine Herridge honestly think her anchoring “skills” are anything but laughable?

    Judging by the steely look of scorn for all mankind that I see in her eyes, I’m gonna go out on a limb and say she believes she’s the greatest anchor. Ever.

  5. Catherine is a really great reporter and is probably embarrassed that the Federal Government actually went ahead with this. Her complaint was just part of a negotiating tactic to get more money. Guess what? It worked, which is why she’s one of the highest paid FNC reporters. Just saw her on with Rick Folbaum on Strategy Room, and she was really good. She’s just not cut out to be an anchor.

  6. I can’t stand this woman.
    Dead, dull, no personality.

  7. I think the lack of personality is intentional on her part. Something about being more tough or something. I dunno, but I’ve always liked her reporting and I was touched by her personal story with her son:

    http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,198430,00.html

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/12/AR2006081200898.html

  8. Reporters aren’t supposed to have personality. It colors the story. She’s like Albert Brooks trying to cover the right parts and read the Prompter at the same time. Aside from money (cough), why would you want to sit there when you could see the story anyway?

  9. Judging by the steely look of scorn for all mankind that I see in her eyes, I’m gonna go out on a limb and say she believes she’s the greatest anchor. Ever.

    Oh! So, CH thinks she’s the “stuff” ? I have a hot news flash for her.. She’s not even the “stuff’s” cousin.

    Her complaint was just part of a negotiating tactic to get more money.

    If this so called “complaint” was just a negotiating tactic then CH needs to be tarred and feathered. I mean, what about the women that are 10X better than CH can only dream of being but get discriminated against because of their age? (You can save the “female” part since woman are all over cable news and one even anchors a network broadcast.)

  10. I agree that hers was probably little more than a negotiating tactic. I like her reports because they’re as unbiased as it gets and she doesn’t bat an eye no matter what the facts are or who they hurt. Most importantly, that woman always seems to find some damn good sources for the “inside” stuff.

  11. She’s just not cut out to be an anchor.

    Same could be said for at least a few who keep hanging on there.

  12. CH does national security reporting. I prefer not to have some dimwitted reporter report on terrorism issues (i.e. Ainsley). She is serious when she does her reporting but was very different especially when Greta did the story on her and her son.

  13. You have to have a brain to be a reporter. As anchor it’s an overqualification.

  14. Strike that. As a female anchor.

  15. Are you referring to anchor as a headline reader, or as someone who hosts a show like F&F, or what Bret Baier does?

  16. A female that headlines a show has to have a clue. For the others, it’s optional. Not my rules, theirs.

  17. So, did CH want to be a headline reader, or something more substantial?

  18. America’s News HQ (DC)
    FoxNews – 210 – Sun, 11/14, 12:00 PM 2 hrs

    Not sure what it used to be called. But, it was a solo show from DC that CH filled in on and was awful.

    That said, I’m not sure if FNC used to have something from DC on Saturday’s as well.

    So, it could’ve been either/or.

    Translation: CH might be able to skate by with a co-anchor but this was (at the time) a solo show.

  19. Just did a google image search for Molly H.. It was called Weekend Live.

  20. Interesting. Neither of us have ever seen CH in an anchor gig, but it’s not hard to imagine that she’d not be a good fit. Then again, there are more than a few total incompetents there who manage to hold onto jobs despite some being unqualified to be on the air.

  21. As a reporter, I think CH does a great job. She seems to be highly qualified to report on national security. To me, it’s clear that she is well-versed on the subject matter, which allows her to know who and what to ask about various issues. It also seems that she has a strong group of sources which enhances her reporting. Generally speaking, she comes across as a very well-rounded and dedicated journalist. I’ve always had a feeling that she is a true professional and has all of her facts in order before going on the air with a story.

    But, and I hate to say this, all of this talk about the EEOC/FNC lawsuit has tarnished my opinion of her a bit. When I’ve seen her reporting lately, I immediately think of this suit and just roll my eyes. It seems like a waste of time, IMO. All of this seems to overshadow her work, which is a shame.

  22. Good reporter blah blah blah IT’S TV, PEOPLE. If the look on your face reminds me of a mean girl having a bad day, GET OFF MY TV.

  23. Last time this topic was on ICN I looked up (and maybe posted) the names and ages of some of her female colleagues at FNC and reached my own conclusion that her age and gender discrimination claims were bs.

    Seems odd to me that the EEOC would take up this matter when it did.

  24. missy5537 Says:

    And if she or any other reporter is getting paid anywhere NEAR $460K/yr. , they’re doing extremely well.

    Give me 1/4 of that and I’d be happy!

  25. True dat, Missy. I’d sue for a salary cut out of GUILT.

  26. It’s really not much that money, don’ chya know?

    Why”

    Because she live in New York where The Rent Is TOO Damn High!

  27. Actually, she lives in the D.C. area.

  28. Work with me, Bee Wubble-U. Geeesh!

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