Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

News anchor fired after calling out cohost’s treatment by management on air

‘It was cruel, it was inappropriate’, says suspended news host of colleague’s departure

Gino Spocchia
Friday 23 September 2022 14:56 BST
Comments
Related video: Don’t move to Texas” billboard spotted in Los Angeles

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A news anchor has been fired by a local Los Angeles television station after he apologised to viewers for the sudden departure of his former co-host.

The furore at KTLA-TV began last week when the station announced the departure of Lunette Romero from her weekend slot at the news channel.

KTLA said the popular news anchor had “decided to move on after nearly 24 years at KTLA”, with the local news station putting out a similar statement on Twitter about Romero’s sudden departure from the channel’s weeklend morning news show.

Tackling the issue on air on Saturday, her former co-host Mark Mester said it was wrong to announce the departure of Ms Romero so suddenly amid some criticism from viewers on social media, Deadline and The Desk reported.

“It was inappropriate, and we are so sorry,” Mr Mester said in the apparently unplanned segment. “I also want to say sorry to Lynette Romero, because Lynette I love you so much, and you really are my best friend. You did not deserve what happened to you on Wednesday.”

He continued: “What the viewers experienced was rude, it was cruel, it was inappropriate, and we are so sorry.”

Ms Romero, who had worked at KTLA since 1998, reportedly agreed to leave the news station last week, with her departure being announced by a colleague on Wednesday morning. The station did not reveal further details.

She tweeted of the support she had received: “I will always be grateful for the love and affection LA viewers have given me. Stay tuned my friends I’ll be right back.”

Deadline reported on Monday that following his Saturday segment, Mr Mester had been suspended by KTLA. The Independent has approached the owners of KTLA for comment.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in