THERE'S DREAD AT 900 FRONTA GROUP of Rank and File staffers; from high-level to mid-level newsroom personnel; have quietly met behind the scenes (off station premises) to discuss an ongoing feud with KGO-TV's mercurial News Director, Tracey Watkowski-Silva and her mucho-strained relationship with them.
Not all of them but most of them. You don't schedule off-premises meetings for gatherings like this one (and others to follow)
A senior KGO staffer told me:
"We've reached a crisis point. She (Watkowski) is manipulating the newsroom to make it a 'are you with me or against me' attitude; that's no way to run a news operation. It's unprofessional at best and harmful at worst!"
Did I say "harmful?" One part-time producer had to leave early last week for anxiety disorder that he says, is linked to the atmosphere inside the KGO newsroom. The person asked for anonymity out of fear for reprisal.
Watkowski has her defenders but they are far fewer than her detractors.
She's been able to escape the wrath from ABC -Disney higher-ups but how long is that good especially when two bigwigs from NY recently met here to focus on a number of issues, including the still-vacant GM gig. I can't imagine now that Trixie will get the job but I'm not shocked anymore.
The source:
"The woman is an evil bitch. She's into high-level power trips but this shit is out of the ordinary. She's making it damn near impossible to work here."
And it's not, say the critics, your normal "I'm the boss, do as I say stuff" There's specifics that include questionable rules of authority and managing. Quite staggering, in fact.
*We're on this story day and night
*415 MEDIA EXCLUSIVE
Does Aaron Pero at KRON have a sister?
ReplyDeleteDo the Mouseketeers at KGO have to share the pottys with the Kronvicts?
ReplyDeleteAkward!
I like her, my theory is that Lieberman made his moves on her, she rejected him and his hate began at that point.
ReplyDeleteBy that theory most of the newsroom, past and present, also made a "move" on her.
DeleteTracey don't flatter yourself. The staff classifies you as a "two bagger."
DeleteI am inclined to side with 316. I have no doubt that bosses rub employees the wrong way and that some don't like being told what to do. Well, tough luck. That's the way it is in the real world, not only in broadcasting but in every field. If Pero is so bad, why does he still have a job. If Rosenheim is so bad, why does he have a job? If Watkowski is so bad, why does she have a job? They're still there because they deliver ratings, awards, operate within their budgets, do what the corporate bosses want. Being a hero to a couple of folks who think they should be in charge has no upside.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, companies will tolerate A lot of bad behavior if a GM or ND deliver the results.
Delete> If Pero is so bad, why does he still have a job.
DeleteSubstitute Trump for Pero and you answered your own question.
Yeah, 4:42, and that morning show just rocks. Trixie delivers...
DeleteThe rest was handed to her on a silver platter.
If Trixie is competent why is Disney letting her twist in the wind? The GM position is much more than results. Its LEADERSHIP. Or as previous ND Kevin Keeshan used to opine a Football Coach ( which is why he didn't get the job ) Tough when most employees think the boss is a dick, weak like Keeshan or in this case on a power trip.
DeleteShe looks like an absolute evil fu@kin bitch!!
ReplyDeletePoor producer got stressed at work and had to go home early, wah wah wah. This is a business, not an encounter group. Go find another job more suited to your metabolism.
ReplyDeleteThanks to this KGO bully promoting a new team of staff making KGO morning news worse each day with poor experience staffs such as the Princes except Reggie who worked for CNN, Mike who has been an experience traffic reporter, Jessica always the best. The station is so bad, I need to watch their lame ads promoting them each day during the evening and all sporting commercial slot. How much worse can it get???
ReplyDeleteJessica was exceptional this morning. She is starting to stand out and has become daring! Has she crossed over to the "Extra Special" team, yes she has!! She has joined an elite group of women, the women who grab your attention and won't let go.
DeleteI support Jessica, not the other one. I bet the station already wanted to give her the morning spots no matter how inexperience she was putting her with Dan Ashley for a week, then weekends and main spot. Luckily we got Ama, Kristen and Dion holding the evening spot unless one leaves or kick out, this princess will get the spot.
DeleteShe sounds as bad at leading KGO as Obama was at leading the US.
ReplyDelete