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Mayor Tony's Ladyfriend Suspended
I may not remember much from college.
But one phrase uttered by my dear Professor Richard "Poopsie" Schwarzlose at journalism school is branded on my brain: conflict of interest. Even today, if there's ever a question, I think, WWPD: What Would Poopsie Do?
Well Poopsie probably wouldn't be happy with one Mirthala Salinas, the local Telemundo newscaster who, involved in an on-the-DL affair with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, was also cheekily reporting, "the rumors are true!" about the demise of the Mayor's 20-year marriage.
Now, after a three-week investigation, Telemundo is handing down their sentence: Salisnas is suspended for two months, without pay. Telemundo network president, Don Browne:
"We have determined that, while the content and accuracy of KVEA's newscasts were not compromised, our news policy standards with respect to conflict of interest were clearly violated."
Just desserts? I'm not so sure. She hasn't been fired. She still gets to come back. And by breaking one of journalism's cardinal rules, she not only tarnished her reputation, she took that station down with her. They would do well to distance themselves as far as possible from her. (The LA Times quotes an anonymous Telemundo executive who says everyone knew. Cameramen, producers, reporters...).
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Maybe then that "conflict-of-interest" phrase would be seared into her memory, and those of Telemundo executives, as deeply as it is in mine... and Poopsie's.
Photo via Telemundo
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