KTBS Channel 3 is your local ABC affiliate with the most watched news programming in the ArkLaTex. We’re On Your Side! But Not Rhonda Lee's

KTBS Fires Rhonda Lee For Violating Social Media Policy. Lee: ‘I have yet to see this policy’

By Merrill Knox on December 12, 2012 11:58 AM

Former KTBS meteorologist Rhonda Lee, who was terminated at the Shreveport ABC affiliate last month for “repeated violations” of the station’s social media policy, is firing back at station management, claiming she was unaware such a policy existed.

In October, a viewer wrote on the station’s Facebook page: “the black lady that does the news is a very nice lady. the only thing is she needs to wear a wig or grow some more hair. im not sure if she is a cancer patient. but its still not something myself that i think looks good on tv.”

Lee posted a lengthy response to the viewer, which she provided to Journal-isms:

Hello Emmitt–I am the ‘black lady’ to which you are referring. I’m sorry you don’t like my ethnic hair. And no I don’t have cancer. I’m a non-smoking, 5’3, 121 lbs, 25 mile a week running, 37.5 year old woman, and I’m in perfectly healthy physical condition.

I am very proud of my African-American ancestry which includes my hair. For your edification: traditionally our hair doesn’t grow downward. It grows upward. Many Black women use strong straightening agents in order to achieve a more European grade of hair and that is their choice. However in my case I don’t find it necessary. I’m very proud of who I am and the standard of beauty I display. Women come in all shapes, sizes, nationalities, and levels of beauty. Showing little girls that being comfortable in the skin and HAIR God gave me is my contribution to society. Little girls (and boys for that matter) need to see that what you look like isn’t a reason to not achieve their goals.

Conforming to one standard isn’t what being American is about and I hope you can embrace that.

Thank you for your comment and have a great weekend and thank for watching.

Journal-isms details a November 14 exchange that Lee also responded to on Facebook. “Am I the only one that has noticed that this year, all the kids, lets say, are people of color?” a viewer wrote about a station event. Lee replied: “I’m not sure I understand your comment, ‘…this is Channel 3 not KSLA…’ What are you trying to say?”

KTBS said in a statement that Lee’s termination was “not because of her appearance or defending her appearance,” but because she violated a company policy:

If harsh viewer comments are posted on the station’s official website, there is a specific procedure to follow. Ms. Rhonda Lee was let go for repeatedly violating that procedure after being warned multiple times of the consequences if her behavior continued. Rhonda Lee was not dismissed for her appearance or defending her appearance. She was fired for continuing to violate company procedure.

In an appearance on CNN’s “Starting Point” this morning, Lee said she has “yet to see this policy.” She said she has asked the station to see the policy and was told that “there isn’t anything written down.”

KTBS general manager George Sirven provided NewsBlues with a redacted copy of an internal staff memo dated August 30 that outlines the station’s social media policy. A copy of the memo has also been posted on KTBS’ Facebook page. It reads:

When we see complaints from viewers, it’s best not to respond at all. Responding to these complaints is a very sensitive situation and sometimes our off-the-cuff response will be the wrong response … if you choose to respond to these complaints, there is only one proper response: provide them with [redacted]‘s contact information, and tell them that he would be glad to speak with them about their concerns. Once again, this is the only proper response.

Former KTBS Meteorologist Rhonda Lee Hires Lawyer, Says She’s Still Open to Returning to Her Job [EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW]

By Erin McCarty 8 hours ago

Meteorologist Rhonda Lee spoke with Erin McCarty on the phone this morning about her recent firing from KTBS and detailed the events leading up to it.

She said it all started over a Facebook comment about the station’s selection of black children for a “Three-Minute Smile” segment. Lee responded to the viewer on the station’s Facebook page, identifying herself in the process. Lee said management stepped in at that point.

“I was called into the office and asked why it is I thought I needed to engage the viewer, and I told my boss if you don’t engage them, it’s condoning it. We’re OK with abuse of black kids,” Lee said. “It’s not a matter of getting involved, it’s a matter of doing what’s right.”

On November 28, Lee was fired following another Facebook interaction with a viewer who was criticizing her hair style.

KTBS cited a breach of the company’s social media guidelines — a document Lee claims she never saw and was refused access to upon termination.

The story quickly took off and has received national media attention. Lee said she’s shocked by the massive interest and support.

“Never in a million years did I think this would go much further than Texarkana, but it’s been a learning experience and I hope I’ve been able to help somebody in the process,” said Lee.

So what does the future hold for Lee? Is she planning to leave Shreveport?

“I haven’t gotten any job offers or anything at this point, so I’m here for at least a while,” Lee revealed.

KEEL reached out to KTBS General Manager George Sirven for comment, but received none at the time of this story’s publication.  To listen to KEEL Radio Interview go here:

http://710keel.com/former-ktbs-meteorologist-rhonda-lee-hires-lawyer-says-shes-still-open-to-returning-to-her-job/

Lubna Dovel Since when is refusing to change your hair style, which is the insubordination at the last job too, considered insubordination to begin with? Working for companies that denigrate your race and tell you to dress, act, and look more "white" is what is really disturbing. Shame on this station, and on others who cannot deal with women with natural hair.

Al Rotundo RE: Meteorologist Rhonda Lee, who you fired for defending herself against one of your an idiot viewers: I've worked in TV. Some of the dumbest people I've ever known have worked in TV. You must have hired them all. For you to hang your own people out to dry, not understanding the cost of negative publicity or the power of new media is stunning. Good luck in your next jobs.

Sandy Young Keller I LOVE Rhonda Lee - and just before this happened I had emailed Joe Haynes (on another topic) and her name came up and I told him that I loved her and her weather broadcasting style. Always some zingers! You know what? I go out in public every day and encounter people with multiple body piercings, droopy pants exposing underwear, rainbow colored hair and many other things that I personally wouldn't do to myself (and don't care to encounter especially when I go out to eat), and some of these things are offensive to me and some even frightening - BUT you give me an adorable black woman with a sense of humor and a short afro and THAT's supposed to be offensive? Get a grip people. Rhonda -if you're out there - we're having a potluck lunch at our house after church on Saturday. I'd LOVE for you to come!

Dola Jene King Once again she was fired for doing what she was told NOT to do. Not everyone is a about race. I find it funny (ironic) that NOBODY cared two hoots about this woman until someone threw out the race card. Chris Redford was terminated for the same infraction but because he isn't making a scene about it nobody else is either. If people will read they will see this is not he first time she has been terminated for insubordination. That is a terminating offense in ANY job...simply as that. Regardless of hair style or skin color or anything else.

Jorge Oyola Josefina Toledo Do you know that KTBS "liked" (SUPPORTED) the offensive comment.....and has not "unliked" it???? YES, THAT shows the station is R.A.C.I.S.T., and IGNORANT, just like you. And why aren't YOU voicing any concern over THAT?

Michael B Lazarus My wife and I have faithfully watched KTBS local news for the last 3 years since moving here. That will no longer happen as we are boycotting all local activities to do with KTBS 3! You should be ashamed of your actions in handling the Rhonda Lee situation! 

For a station that can't sell commercial air time...IE; 4 or 5 car commercials running back to back, stepping all over your own PSA's, and stepping all over national programs to run the same commercial you just ran, you got Nerve, I'll give you that much. I have never seen a station go through so many 'on air' personnel in my life. As for Rhonda Lee; this might just be the best thing to happen to her. Now she can ( and IMHO Will ) get a better job with a station that actually has some class!

As far as ABC goes, we will still watch national programming, just not local KTBS 3 programming. My wife and I are watching The View. What does KTBS do? They just stepped on the program itself to run the same lame commercials that every one will see at least 10 more times in an hour! No wonder there sales dept. is always hiring. The station itself doesn't no how to regulate or promote local sales....very, very said!

A lot of people in Shreveport,LA are boycotting products that are being advertised locally on KTBS 3. Reason; The poor and unjustified way they handled the wrongful termination of weather reporter Rhonda Lee. I and a few others are letting companies we know (and like ) about this action up-front. We are also letting all of our friends and relatives across the country know.

Sheri Smith Fermanis If she was fired for her HAIR -- ARE YOU KIDDING ME??????? I read her response - polite and articulate. I hope she sues the pants of them!! I love her short hair - and no mine is down to my lower back but thats my choice!

Margaux Fischer If you don't like ktbs anymore then dislike this page! The workers at KTBS had nothing to do with the firing of Rhonda, the people above them did! So stop harassing this page! Call the main office! Life goes on! She'll find another job! Maybe God had better plans for her. Stop judging what has nothing to do with your life!

Rebecca Copeland Rhonda Lee replied to a silly comment about her personal appearance. The comment was made out of ignorance. Ms. Lee offered a thoughtful, respectful response that provided helpful information. Punishing her for this is just mind boggling.

Sigried Johnston Dear KTBS News 3: First and foremost, in my opinion (no need for any thank you by the way) is that presently the person that should be fired is your General Manager. Why? For being the most "idiotic" GM in the news business. Firing Rhonda Lee was a huge mistake! This woman is professional and most importantly kind when she tried to educate a very "ignorant" viewer of yours. If you wanted bad publicity, thank your GM. All viewers should now ban you from their news line up. As for Ms. Rhonda Lee, I wish her all the best. Like MSNBC host just said, "this is the best thing to happen to you (Rhonda) because who would really want to work for an employer like that?!" Shame, shame shame KTBS News 3. Pure shame!

Mary Wojciechowski Russell I like Rhonda Lee also. She was a funny and knew her job well. Good luck, Rhonda! Remember when one door closes another opens.

Brad Smith Hello. I wanted to express my personal viewpoint to this respectable station in regards to its termination of Rhonda Lee. It is my belief that the 'error', if you will, was made by whomever at this station manages this FB page. By that I mean, you, as an employer, have an obligation to protect your employees from hostile individuals. Which, in this case, was an irate viewer whom used bigotry and o
offensive content in degrading this employee's hair style, which I, for one, find to be very professional and well groomed for these types of public positions.

The way I see it, you, KTBS, failed to protect her by not deleting this post and warning the sender that personal attacks against its staff will not be tolerated. It's the same principal as the new 'zero tolerance' policies for bullying now being implement in full-force at schools across the nation. Your employee should not have been put in a position like this to where she felt she had to defend herself against such harmful and damaging comments as this.

Instead, your station decided to terminate her for doing the job that you failed to do. I'm not an attorney, and am not familiar with any of your laws in Louisiana, but even if there are no laws that said you did anything wrong by what you did by terminating her, there is such a thing as the 'letter of the law' and 'spirit of the law'. Thank you for enabling me this opportunity to share my personal opinions with this station in regards to this matter here in the public domain.

-Brad Smith of Rockford, Illinois.

*If anyone else reads this comment that shares the same beliefs as me, please do so in both a productive and respectful manner, so as not to steep to their level of whomever posted the comment which started all of this in the first place. KTBS is more likely to be receptive to us if we do so in a professional manner.

Kent Alexander Martin Ultimately, the buck stops with station manager George Sirven. He can be reached by phone at 318-861-5821 and via e-mail at gsirven@ktbs.com. Thanks for that extremely eloquent comment, Brad.

Lisa Lane Lattier Plette What is worse, is that "KTBS" LIKED the original post.

Adreanne M. Liggins If Rhonda Lee wasnt suppose to respond, why was it ok for KTBS to post a memo and defend themselves? @Brad Driggers

Philip Maxfield I love the way Rhonda delivers the weather. It's fresh, real, and to the point. Plus she puts in a little slap-stick humor to make it entertaining. KTBS was wrong to fire such a "breath of fresh air" over such a ridiculous reason. KTBS's loss.

Lewis Johnson Pressure like this and posting enough times will put this issue on the top of all search engines. Lets not allow RACISM (that is what it is) to hid its ugly head behind the stations name. Only way to end this bigotry and hatred is to make its ugly face stand out. I am hopeful that society will allow it to be seen because that is the only way we address this type of social issue - is when we can see it. It may be ugly and painful for those who are bigots to face the fact but it needs to be made public.

Balancing Jane I am not in your market, so I do not watch your station, but I read Rhonda Lee's response and I will tell you as the mother of a little girl whose hair grows up instead of hanging down, I found her comments beautiful and inspiring. The viewer who took her appearance to task was out of line, but I could understand your policy if she had responded with the personal anger she was entitled to feel on the company's site. But she didn't. She gave a constructive and graceful response that did exactly what a journalist should do: inspire your viewers to see the world in new ways. Shame on you for not recognizing the value of that.

Moshe Garland Apologize, re-hire the sista at a bump, revamp your policy as suggested... facilitate a way for employees to address personal/racial attacks...get out of your white management box and feel the pain and humiliation of others not looking like yourself...?

Don DuBose It is okay when a white news caster is white and responds to a bully for criticizing her weight (she's praised), but NOT okay for a black woman to respond to a post in a professional manner..? Where is the logic in that!! You guys are pathetic...and keep deleting these post. This story is spreading faster than you can delete them!!

Linda Shaw Absolutely, Don. The firing of Rhonda Lee appears to be a "pretext" for discrimination. In Atlanta, our News person, Brenda Woods, said the station ought to be ashamed! I agree! She said "taking a job doesn't mean you should have to abdicate your right to defend yourself against personal attacks". She just didn't add, especially when those attacks appear to be racially motivated. When it happened to the news person in Wisconsin, that station rallied around her as she addressed the person who called her fat. The world is moving towards harmony guys. I guess the stations in LA are not there yet?????

Josh Bramlett If you haven't figured it out yet, your station kind of has a terrible social media policy. Sure are a lot of comments on this page to not respond to. But to keep posting stories and pretend that you aren't at the center of a controversy is beyond ridiculous.

Ricardo De Freitas Someone, at another station, please do us all a favor and hire Rhonda Lee for a higher salary that she had at KTBS!

Ronda Coble-West Trust and believe she will get another job with probably more money. She interviews with CNN's Roland Martin in the morning be watching.

Patricia Jarrett I will not watch KTBS anymore. This lady did nothing wrong but stood up for herself and other women. Can't remember the news station or anchor who was overweight and a viewer did something similar. They allowed that anchor to go live and address him and everyone else. She went national and everyone praised her for standing up for herself. Now KTBS fires a lady doing something similar. SMH!

Steve Lee Dear KTBS. I find it very shallow that you would fire Rhonda Lee from your television station. The lady spoke her opinion about her likes or dislikes concerning Rhonda's Hair Style. Number 1. that was just an opinion and Rhonda's reply was very professional and not the least bit biased or racist. This was a rash decision on your part. I urge you to reconcider and give this nice lady her job back. 2. more importantly if God looks upon the heart and not on the outside. This is a violation of her rights. She apparently didn't violate any dress code. I sincerely hope this was not used as an excuse to terminate this lady that does a good job reporting the weather. This deplorable treatment of a woman's right went away when they obtained the right to vote. Most importantly Rhonda's hair style is and was none of her business and the lady needs to do some soul searching and apologize to both Rhonda and the station. 3. I also feel this is a violation of Rhonda's free speech rights. I urge you to reconsider. this would be a civil rights lawyer's dream. This same kind of thinking is what has taken place in Cristianity in America. I urge all who read this to complain about this unfair treatment(in My Opinion).

Lorena Serrano De Wit Well put Tammy. Rhonda responded in a professional diplomatic manner. Apparently, this station is managed by ignorant individuals. What an embarrassment they are to their own organization. This type of attitude becomes part of their company branding and reputation. Now when I hear about KTBS 3 News, I'll relate it to the racist news station.

Tammy Hart Seriously? When I watch the news, I am looking for information, not the latest fashion or someone's hairstyle. I appreciate competent women who provide the information I am looking for. Simple minds focus on things like skin color and hair and weight. If we were all blind, how much would all that really matter? I believe Rhonda Lee's email response was educational and while there may have been some policy created that she was not aware of, shame on those who are so close-minded as to have made this an issue. Wake up , people!

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy