The Los Angeles Times reports in the August 3 paper that "Los Angeles television newscaster Mirthala Salinas was suspended without pay for two months — but not dismissed — Thursday from KVEA-TV Channel 52 for covering Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa while they were romantically involved, a relationship that journalism experts said damaged the station's credibility."
But wait, there's more. The Telemundo reporter (pictured at right with Villaraigosa*) apparently has a history of dating Southern California Democratic politicians:
Her affair with Villaraigosa was an open secret in KVEA's Burbank newsroom and in the mayor's office at City Hall. Salinas also had dated Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez (D-Los Angeles) when he was divorced — and before he remarried his wife — as well as former Los Angeles City Council President Alex Padilla, now a state senator.
Somehow I have a hard time believing a reporter sleeping around with a married conservative Republican politician would survive long as an open secret in any TV newsroom, nor, of course, should it.
But beyond any double standard issue is of course the highly unprofessional behavior of having a sexual relationship with someone you cover on a regular basis as a beat reporter. And on that note, the LA Times picked up the frustration of some of Salinas' co-workers, who spoke on background to the paper:
Telemundo network executives conducted the three-week internal review that culminated in Thursday's discipline. But several employees at the Burbank headquarters of KVEA and KNBC-TV Channel 4 criticized the network, saying it let Salinas off too easy.
"There is a violation of job integrity," one worker said as he pulled out of the Telemundo parking lot.
An NBC employee who works in technical operations predicted that the scandal would enhance Salinas' career.
"It will probably make her more successful, ultimately," he said. "It's just publicity for her career."
Another Telemundo worker contacted by phone was more cynical: "They were trying to save face, and this way they don't have to spend any money," said the worker, who declined to be named for fear of retaliation. "They are just waiting for people to leave on their own…. They don't like lawsuits, they don't like to go to court, and they don't like to spend money."
*Photo credit: Robert Durell/LA Times.
—Ken Shepherd is Managing Editor of NewsBusters
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Comments Policy
Agree
August 3, 2007 - 11:22 ET by iveseenitallUnfortunately, I agree with the person who said this will only enhance her career. (All praise to Barry "the cheater" Bonds). The beat goes on.
NEVER,NEVER trust a liberal
Lesson from the Bill years
August 3, 2007 - 11:27 ET by Mica the MagnificentAs we learned during the Clinton years, to libs it's just about sex. As long as the person is doing their job, who are we to judge?
Gag me!
Well, you know, they
August 3, 2007 - 11:35 ET by motherbeltWell, you know, they probably went to her and said "Does this affair affect the way you do your job?" and she said "NO." And they said, "Oh, OK.".
It was all fine until those stupid conservatives got wind of it....
After a 2 month vacation,
August 3, 2007 - 11:37 ET by sarcasmoAfter a 2 month vacation, you get to keep your job. Journalistic "ethics" must mean 0-consequences.
JMR
Rally online with fans of Dr. Ron Paul.
Talk about undercover reporting
August 3, 2007 - 11:40 ET by PamThis gal seems to take undercover reporting to a new level.
Sleeper
August 3, 2007 - 12:16 ET by Mica the Magnificent". . and now a report from Telemundo's own newswhore, Sexsational Salinas the Sleeper"
Go for it, Telemundo!
Villar isnt the only one
August 3, 2007 - 11:41 ET by BEGRUNTThis women has a rep for sleeping with the people she covers. Hmm, lets see Nick Pacheco, Fabian Nunez, etc. and the list goes on. Our city is the joke of the country. Our city and city council is run by La Raza (The Race). This is mexican politics and news coverage......corrupt all the way around.
"If a man does his best, what else is there"?
General George S. Patton Jr.
Or maybe, the democracks are
August 3, 2007 - 14:43 ET by Senior ChiefOr maybe, the democracks are good in...bed, and that's about it. This is not news though, since the gods and godesses of hole-wood are swapping wives/ husbands and boyfriends/girlfriends every few months of shacking up. Slick Billy boy is the superstar of them all.
Journalists
August 3, 2007 - 12:19 ET by allanfWhy is that a problem? These people are entertainers not "journalists". How could she possibly hurt the creditbility of a TV News organization?
Right.
August 3, 2007 - 13:50 ET by Scout FinchThe only thing they do right in England is, they call their talking heads "newsreaders" instead of "journalists". Call'em what they are.
"Telemundo network
August 3, 2007 - 12:57 ET by WhoIsJohnGalt"Telemundo network executives conducted the three-week internal review that culminated in Thursday's discipline. But several employees at the Burbank headquarters of KVEA and KNBC-TV Channel 4 criticized the network, saying it let Salinas off too easy."
Is it just me or does it seem that the writer was having a good time with double-entendres'? Sorry for the sophomoric humor...it just struck me that way.
naw, then they would've
August 3, 2007 - 19:24 ET by UndercoverConservativenaw, then they would've swapped "culimated" with 'climaxed".
or something about faking..
okay, I'm done here:)
Telemundo knew about this a
August 3, 2007 - 13:01 ET by fitzfongTelemundo knew about this a year ago. Salinas told them, and they took her off the beat. They moved her to the anchor chair where she broke the news of the divorce she helped cause. In other words, Telemundo acted as Ms. Salinas' pimp, benefitted for a year from her relationship with the mayor and are now in CYA mode by suspending her (no doubt, with pay) so that they can create the impression that they had no involvement in the story. Unfortunately, I think this is where the story ends. It's the responsibilty of media to cover this and expose the duplicity. But the local networks are cowards when it comes to dealing with "Slick Guillermo" (Villaraigosa). They will call off the dogs.
If you need a laugh, find Slick G's press conference when he gives Salinas' resume as an ethical defense of her keeping her job. He carries on about how many Golden Mics and Emmys she's won. It's almost as funny and cringe-worthy as the booing he got at the David Beckham unveiling.
"To go where no man has gone
August 3, 2007 - 13:06 ET by Rackie"To go where no man has gone before."
Not likely, huh?
Sounds like these poor Dems
August 3, 2007 - 13:09 ET by Airforce_5_OSounds like these poor Dems can't man up for the girl. Someone refer her to Hanity's dating site so she can find a real man.
The only thing you should feel when shooting insurgents is the rifle recoil.
Birds of the same
August 3, 2007 - 14:37 ET by Senior ChiefBirds of the same feather...fool each other. Hello lefties, welcome aboard.
A leftist reporter in bed
August 3, 2007 - 14:42 ET by rbosqueA leftist reporter in bed with a leftist politician? WOW! Who would have thought? How is this news?
Must see TV!
August 3, 2007 - 16:43 ET by mastersofdeceitThis is nuts. Looks like things got out of hand at a press conference this morning with Antonia Villa-Raigosa. (will he go back to his maiden name? he he)
Story w/ vid & pics.
BTW- I can't access the LAT article. But did it mention that NBC-Uni, which owns Telemenudo, is looking to build a 3 billion dollar complex which would require the mayors approval.
In one of the mayors news conferences after the scandal broke he "telegraphed" to Telemenudo
" I am confident that they will do the right thing" (paraphrasing)
Any questions why Salinas still has a job?