Several reporters have been terminated from Telemundo’s flagship station, KVEA-52 in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
According to sources, María García, a reporter and former weekend anchor who had been at the station more than 10 years, was among the casualties.
Other talents also given their walking papers: reporter and fill-in anchor Roberto Lacayo, weather anchor Ericka Pino and reporter Vicky Gutierrez.
Telemundo spokesman Alfredo Richards confirmed the network’s L.A. station was undergoing changes:
“We are making some personnel changes in our News department at KVEA geared to better serve and connect with our community. We sincerely thank them for their contribution to KVEA and wish them well.”
More details to follow…
Update 3/12/12: I initially wrote that KVEA had laid off the talent. Spokesman Alfredo Richards says the positions were not eliminated, therefore they were not layoffs.
Maria, Ericka, Vicky and Roberto were technically terminated.
The job openings have been posted and replacements should be named within the next few weeks.
I am sadden to read that two of the most qualified reporters in Spanish News (Maria Garcia & Vicky Gutierrez) were fired without justification. Furthermore, Ericka Pino, the only Spanish speaker meteorologist in Los Angeles with a degree in meteorology. Interesting enough that these highly educated women were fired, but the network claims they want to better the newscast to better fit the community.
So, one should think why does Telemundo think their Spanish speaking audience deserves only a bunch of Teleprompter readers? And, if so….why? Is it because they think that the Latino community is undereducated? Ummm! I am UPSET to think that Telemundo thinks that in order to communicate with Latinos they must put mass agitators or men and women who traffic with influences as reporters and anchors.
In summary: Telemundo let go 28 years of combined experienced for God knows what reasons. They will soon be replaced… Let’s see who Telemundo finds a better fit.
By the way, Ericka Pino is not the only Spanish speaker meteorologist in Los Angeles with a degree in meteorology, Francella Perez from channel 22 KWHY also has a degree in meteorology….
Ericka Pino has experience and she is meteorology, but Francella Perez only get in the tv for the ” friendship” with the former boss.