More Upheaval At KTVU; Fowler Leaving Only The Beginning; His Producer, OUT; 30-Year Special Projects Producer, Leslie Donaldson, Also OUT; FOX Bloodbath at Jack London Square; 415 Media Exclusive

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KTVU has seen a staff shake-up/personnel reduction big enough to shock staff amid impending more maneuvering that won't be kind to morale.


Again, NEWS you will only read, first, at 415 Media.


I told you Monday that John Fowler, the veteran Health/Science reporter is gone. Fowler left on his own terms but knew he was about to get his walking papers any day now.


We can also report, according to my Fox/KTVU source, that Fowler's producer, Sharon Navratil, (who just so happens to be Tom Vacar's wife) was canned along with longtime Special Projects producer, Leslie Donaldson, who'd been at KTVU almost 30 years.


Said an Insider to me: "If I were Tom Vacar, I'd be worried." Indeed, Vacar is 66. And the fact he's an attorney (although he doesn't practice law) is no worry to FOX. They too have lawyers.


MORE CUTS:

*According to my source, the whole graphic arts staff was cut. I don't know the total but it was significant and it involves key staffers to the early and late, "10 O'clock News" staff. Some of these people were canned months ago and moved with the COX (former KTVU owner) people to Boston.


*Fox model is, and will always be, "Low Overhead to Max out Profits." It should also be pointed out Channel 2's dismal performance during the May Sweeps, especially at 5 and 6, was the major impetus for the latest round of personnel shake-up and layoffs.


Fox affiliate and O and O (Owner and Operated) management was none-too-pleased about their new Bay Area station's performance and that more cuts are coming.


As my source says about KTVU's photographers? "They're really getting screwed!" 




*Developing...


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415 Media Exclusive: John Fowler Leaving KTVU Fox 2; Veteran Health/Science Editor

 Longtime KTVU Health and Science Editor/Reporter, John Fowler, has quietly left the station, according to multiple sources who spoke to 415 Media.


The decision was made late last week.


Fowler, an Emmy winner in addition to other numerous industry awards supposedly left on his own volition and decided to "break away" with a healthy buyout. We don't know for sure, but we put two and two together: Fowler is in his mid 60's and that doesn't bode well long-term, most notably when your corporate owner is FOX, which took control of KTVU last October.


Fowler, many moons ago, told close associates that he wasn't retiring anytime soon and had planned on staying in Jack London Square for the immediate future. Indeed, he seemed to be just as engaged and focused as he was when he delivered his first reports for KTVU --on the other hand we all know when you reach a certain age in local TV news these days, the handwriting is on the wall that management would like to nudge you out.


Seems Fowler beat FOX and saw the tea leaves and decided to leave on his own without being kicked to the curb.


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Exclusive: KTVU Reporters Vacar and Fowler Get Stripped of Editor Status; News Director Rosenthal Does Dirty Deeds Behind Back; Indignation at Jack London Square

  Siege Mentality inside KTVU...

KTVU veteran reporters, Tom Vacar and John Fowler--both with over two decades of tenure over at Jack London Square, have been stripped of their "Editor" status. Worse yet, the indignation was told to them by co-workers and not by the ND, Lee Rosenthal, who did the dirty deed himself!

How coincidental.

Word is that both Vacar and Fowler were outraged, according to a station source.

Vacar was KTVU's Consumer Editor and Fowler, the Health and Science Editor. Both have won numerous industry awards and local Emmys.

**In another outrageous move, according to my sources, Jeff Holub, the PR director, had reporter, Eric Rasmusen's, wife, one of their best promotions writers and producers escorted out of the building when he learned she landed another job.

Another producer in the department is supposedly going to a Cox station in Oklahoma, so she gets to stay for her last two weeks, and is given a heroes send off.

It used to be at KTVU, if you were being wooed by another offer, KTVU would do something to keep you, and failing that, they would win you the best, allowing you your last two weeks. Now their intent is to humiliate you as a shot across the deck as a warning to all the worker bees in the hive.

**Rich Lieberman 415 Media Exclusive

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The 2 Senior Reporters at KTVU That Management Wanted Out But Are Stuck; News that You'll Get Only NOT on KTVU

John Fowler/KTVU photo

Tom Vacar

 Tom Vacar is a seasoned KTVU Bay Area News Reporter, Consumer Editor and aviation expert. He's been in the market for over three decades and has won a host of industry awards, including five Emmys.

Vacar is a lawyer too. He doesn't practice but he has a law degree. At various times in the past, management has wanted to part ways with Vacar but pulled back. Remember, he's a lawyer and he has mucho tenure at Channel 2. Not good to mess with a lawyer--they haven't...yet.


*Health and Science Editor, John Fowler, has been a KTVU stalwart since 1975. A station source recently told me the station has a problem: "Fowler doesn't ever want to retire." That's contrary to what KTVU wants/wanted but are you really going to show the door to a 38-year vet? Hell no and even if you tried, the union would be all over your ass. As they should.

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