PITTSBURGH (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) – A tweet by a reporter at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has erupted into controversy over alleged reporter bias, racial discrimination and claims of journalistic freedom.
Reporter Alexis Johnson tweeted photos of debris after a Kenny Chesney concert, comparing it to damage after the city’s first mass protest May 30th following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
“Maybe because my tweet went viral and maybe because it was about this topic about black issues, that they felt because I’m a black journalist and a black woman that my words held more weight and they felt that it was biased,” said Johnson. “Who am I to not speak on this issue.” Johnson spoke at a news conference held by leaders of her union, the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh, across the street from Post-Gazette offices on the North Shore.
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Johnson and black photographer Michael Santiago say they have been pulled from all protest coverage. Santiago had supported Johnson online.
Guild president, reporter Michael Fuoco, called the job action discriminatory, retaliatory, unconscionable and morally and ethically bankrupt.
“I saw it as a black woman putting a perspective out there in a witty, non-confrontational way that was food for thought,” said Fuoco.
Guild attorney Joe Pass told reporters the union will investigate racial discrimination charges before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and labor violations before the National Labor Relations Board.
All of this happened against a backdrop of animosity between Post-Gazette ownership and the union over a new contract. Talks have progressed little in three years. Union members say they haven’t had a raise in 14 years.
The Post-Gazette did not respond to a request for comment.
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