KMPH Fox 26 Central San Joaquin Valley News Source in Fresno, California Entertainment, News, Sports and Weather | ABC 30 Reaches Agreement with Hispanic Protesters

ABC 30 Reaches Agreement with Hispanic Protesters

By: Monty Torres

Dozens from the valley's large hispanic community showed up in downtown Fresno on Tuesday.

They were there to demonstrate their displeasure over recent comments made by KFSN/ ABC 30's outgoing General Manager, but also to announce some new agreements.

"I felt it was kind of inappropriate, said Derek Asayas.

The focus? Offensive comments made by KFSN's recently resigned General Manager.

 Fresno County Democratic Chair Jose Murillo said, "The purpose of this meeting is to express our regret over the comments made by Bob Hall, who was the General Manager of KFSN."

In Fresno County Superior Court last week, Hall reportedly said he couldn't be a fair juror because of research by KFSN's newsroom which showed a propensity for Hispanic's to commit violent crimes.

Hall later apologized and stated no such research existed---an assertion KFSN management also made clear in separate statements.

But outside ABC 30 studios hispanic leaders said, they want to be sure.

 Murillo made clear, "We just want to verify that there is no such research and such a story that is going to be brought by Channel 30."

 Murillo also called for an investigation into Hall's possible perjury for making the statement about the research under oath, if there really was no such research.

At Fresno State, Associate Professor of Journalism, Dr. Gary Price added some perspective.

  "He probably should have kept his mouth shut." But Price was careful to make a distinction  between the conduct of KFSN reporters, anchors, news personnel, and it's former General Manager's slip of the tongue.

  "I think most working journalists are professional enough that they really don't need someone to set an example for them because they're going to do the right thing anyway," said Price. 

Mr. Hall resigned last Saturday. Regarding the incident, Channel 30 released this statement Tuesday.
 
'We look forward to continuing to work with them and others as part of our historically strong commitment to covering achievements of the Latino community and serving the needs and interests of our Latino viewers. Action News has always been committed to unbiased reporting and upholds the highest journalistic standards of fairness and accuracy."  

Murillo said KFSN has come to several new agreements with hispanic leaders, including an investigation to establish that no research correlating Hispanic ethnicity and propensity to crime had been or was being conducted by the station, and a promise to create a weekly show featuring Hispanics in a positive light.