Suing Meredith

FTVLive FIRST told you that former WGCL (Atlanta) Reporter Mike Dunston was looking to sue his former station along with its owner Meredith.

Dunston has filed a broad-based lawsuit against his former employer alleging race, sex and age discrimination, among other accusations.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes that the lawsuit, filed in Fulton County Superior Court this week, said that despite “stellar reviews” from his bosses, Dunston was “never afforded auditions or interviews and was passed over several times even though he requested to be considered for open positions” for primary anchor spots.

He claimed that the news director at the time Steve Doerr was seeking only white males, not Black males for particular positions he was seeking. While Dunston was there, two white male anchors were hired for evening jobs: Thomas Roberts, followed by Rick Folbaum, who is currently the primary male evening anchor.

The lawsuit also said management gave younger and less experienced employees anchor opportunities over Dunston, who is over 40 and has 25 years of experience in broadcasting.

He said after he filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Doerr began harassing him and deprived Dunston of contractually obligated career consultations with the talent coach. He also said his contract was terminated six weeks early in May of 2020 without cause.

Meredith released this statement in response: “Meredith and WGCL-TV/CBS46 strongly disagree with these allegations. We will vigorously defend ourselves against them.”