Yesterday we told you about messages that WITN (Eastern North Carolina) Anchor Lauren Baker was getting about her appearance.

Baker shared the messages on social media and clapped back at those sending the nasty messages.

A former News Director has an idea as to how he would handle the situation with Baker.

This is his email:

Mr. James; (FTVLive note: my last name is Jones)

Like you I don’t agree with people ‘fat shaming’ anyone online whether or not they work in TV.

But Ms. Baker is not just overweight but mobidly obese.  Without changes she is dooming herself to a lifetime of health problems including diabetes, heart disease, joint damage and difficulties with mobility … and a shorter life expectancy.  That’s tragic.

I haven’t worked a news director in some time but I would tell colleagues in news that the opposite of acceptance isn’t rejection.  The opposite of acceptance is helping.  Isn’t that we did as journalists … point out things like injustice and corruption so that those who had previously accepted them would be motivated to take action.

If I was Ms. Baker’s news director I would tell her straight out that her obesity is a threat to any advancement in her career in television.  I would then enroll her in whatever health program the station has and then reach out for a Personal Trainer and a Dietician willing to help her in exchange for news airtime.  There would be a weekly segment “Getting Down with Lauren” where she documents her struggles and triumphs as she works to get healthier.  There could be live morning show hits as well and perhaps another feature segment profiling others like who are attempting to or have succeeded in doing the same.

Far from being derided, the effort would earn her the respect of viewers witnessing first hand her efforts and making her an inspiration to others struggling with similar issues.  The result would be for her to make a name for herself in the community, benefitting that community, the station and her career in journalism.

Everyone would win.  She might even save some lives and she improves her own.  That would be a big ‘win-win’.  Acceptance gets her nothing.

Thanks for listening.