Gone in Motown
It what came as a shock to many staffers, WDIV (Detroit) has fired longtime Investigative Reporter Kevin Dietz.
Word is that Dietz was let go for something that happened at the Investigative Reporters & Editors conference in Houston.
Dietz says he was canned following a comment he made about a black reporter at IRE.
"While attending a social event during the conference, we took a WDIV team photo and I jokingly said to the group 'We are probably going to have to crop the black reporter out of the photo,' " Dietz wrote on Facebook. "The intent of my comment was to openly acknowledge, amongst team members, the challenge it’s been for our company (Graham Media), and many companies, to achieve diversity goals. This is a serious subject that I approached through humor.”
Dietz says that the black Reporter who was present said he was not offended and came to his defense, but the station has a zero-tolerance policy about racially insensitive remarks and terminated him.
"Nevertheless, the station has a zero tolerance policy on racially insensitive comments and they determined, despite the intent and context of my statement, that it violated the policy. I understand and support the need for such policies,” Dietz said.
WDIV-TV issued a short statement yesterday evening.
“Kevin Dietz has resigned from WDIV effective immediately," the station said. "We’ve had a long relationship with Kevin and we wish him well. Personnel issues such as this are respectfully private and we will have no further comment.”
Dietz also says that alcohol was involved. "It is important to include the fact that alcohol was provided at this event and, according to management, was a factor in my termination," Dietz said.
"I regret the fact that it happened, and apologize to anyone I might have offended," he wrote. "I love Detroit and everyone who calls it 'home.' Every situation creates opportunity for personal growth, and that is how I view this event in my life."
Dietz has been at the station since June 1993.