The Most Powerful Figures in SF Media: Chronicle's Matier And Ross; KGO-TV Still Doesn't Acknowledge Stricken Reporter, Ishimaru; Thursday Opener

Phil Matier and Andy Ross, the Chronicle's Investigative dynamic duo, "Matier and Ross", are the most powerful figures in Bay Area media.


One of the town's leading PR figures, (the person asked for anonymity), noted Matier in particular with his multiple platforms, (KPIX, KCBS), carries huge cachet in SF media circles and beyond.


"On the BART strike and its aftermath alone, both the unions and management felt the wrath of their, (M&R), reporting. I'm sure BART was just thrilled the public got wind of the $3 grand cost of sandwiches.", offered the PR person.


Beyond the BART imbroglio, Matier and Ross were all over the new Bay Bridge fiasco and its continuing issues involving safety.


More than just having name access to some of the biggest and most influential politicians in both the city and Sacramento, the pair can often set the tone of the day's biggest news story and subsequent pick-up by newspapers and TV and radio.


Sometimes this access can be problematic particularly when it involves Willie Brown who is a frequent mention in Matier and Ross' column and appears regularly every Friday morning with Matier on KCBS and KPIX too. Then again, stories like this tend to lend credence to the notion that Brown tries diligently not to appear overly cozy with SF's Woodward and Bernstein. Skeptics wonder what would happen if Brown were to become the target of an investigation, how would Matier and Ross cover it, or would they? Of course they would.


*Whoever is responsible for the PR over at KGO-TV must be asleep at the wheel or severely incapable of doing their job. The ABC O and O station at 900 Front continues not to even acknowledge the situation affecting one of its longest-tenured reporters, Heather Ishimaru, who recently suffered a stroke and is unable to speak. Presumably, KGO is sensitive to possible pending litigation involving Ishimaru and management. That's understandable but saying nothing is both insulting and insensitive, not only to its viewers but employees too.


We hope this policy might be altered soon.




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Exclusive: KGO-TV Reporter Ishimaru Was To File Suit Against Station Before Her Medical Setback; Hostile Work Environment Complaint; Angela Alioto To Rep Her

Days before she suffered a serious stroke, KGO-TV reporter, Heather Ishimaru, was about to file a hostile work-environment lawsuit against the station, according to well-placed broadcast sources close to Channel 7.


Ishimaru, who is unable to speak or swallow food is in a SF rehab facility. Her attorney, Angela Alioto, confirmed to me on the phone that Ishimaru had planned to file a lawsuit.


"She, (Ishimaru), wrote three letters to management, (News Director, Tracey Watkowski and Assistant ND, Stephainie Adrouney),  about some work-related issues then suddenly she had her medical setback," Alioto said.


Watkowski did not return phone calls requesting comment.


Privately, my sources at KGO, (all requested anonymity due to the nature of the story), told me that Ishimaru, who is a veteran and much-respected reporter, had asked for some time away from the station dealing with a family matter involving one of her kids, a special-needs child. Alioto confirmed this account.


Watkowski balked.


"They were giving her shit," offered one of the sources. "They essentially told her to take care of the 'issue on her time, not the company dime, and that's just bullshit."


Needless to say the Ishimaru tragedy has rocked the KGO newsroom where several staffers are unhappy with the vibe overall. "This has just added to all the angst inside the building--there's a tremendous amount of tension here. They, (management), just don't get it--they're in over their heads."


Added Alioto:


"Heather has an incredible performance record.  She was harassed and treated differently by her superiors Stephanie and Tracey concerning medical leave to take care of her son. Heather was very stressed out about the treatment."






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KGO-TV's Heather Ishimaru Suffers Stroke

 Veteran KGO-TV Reporter, (ABC7), Heather Ishimaru has suffered a stroke and is in a SF rehabilitation center, unable to speak.


"She's in real bad shape", said a knowledgeable station source.


Ishimaru covers Transportation and the Courts for KGO. She's been at the O and O for nearly fifteen years.


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