Miami news anchor Jenise Fernandez’s social media – Business News
A Miami TV news government ripped his employees for performing like social media influencers as a substitute of journalists after an anchor’s bikini trip posts prompted an inner crackdown on what he referred to as “cringeworthy” online conduct.
WPLG Vice President of News Bill Pohovey instructed employees he was fed up with what he described as “foolish nonsense” showing on staff’ social media accounts, in response to a memo obtained by industry website FTVLive.
“I have emailed about this numerous times in the past, but we seem to be going in the wrong direction again,” Pohovey wrote.
Jenise Fernandez, a WPLG anchor and former Miss Miami, posted bikini pictures from her Fiji getaway. @jferntv/Instagram
The memo was circulated after WPLG anchor and reporter Jenise Fernandez shared a collection of trip posts from Fiji exhibiting her carrying a vivid pink bikini aboard what seemed to be a resort boat, sources instructed FTVLive.
But Pohovey denied this, telling The Post that memo was circulated months in the past.
He mentioned that the directive “was not a response to one individual post [but rather] just a reminder of long-standing guidelines.”
When requested to make clear, Pohovey instructed The Post: “This had nothing to do with a current employee. As I said, the memo was sent out many months ago and is not new.”
One Instagram post confirmed Fernandez rising from crystal-clear water within the swimsuit with the caption: “Now I know what it feels like to be on @cloud9_fiji.”
Additional Instagram Stories confirmed Fernandez leaning towards a bar in the identical bikini whereas visiting the floating venue, whereas one other clip captured her and two companions raising shot glasses for a toast.
Fernandez shared pictures from a Fiji trip earlier than station management circulated a memo warning employees towards posting “foolish nonsense” on social media. @jferntv/Instagram
Another Instagram Story confirmed Fernandez and associates taking photographs. @jferntv/Instagram
Fernandez, a Miami native who joined WPLG in 2014, is a six-time Emmy Award-winning journalist who anchors the station’s weekday 3 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts.
According to her station biography, she can be a former Miss Miami and was fourth runner-up within the Miss Florida pageant.
The posts prompted management to remind newsroom staff that they’re journalists first — not social media personalities.
“Too many of our social media accounts are being used for foolish nonsense,” Pohovey wrote.
“We don’t want dance videos with our staff. We don’t want fashion shows, outfits of the day, or other silly content that detracts from you as journalists.”
Fernandez started her tv profession in Louisiana and later labored in Pensacola earlier than returning to her hometown of Miami in 2014. Jenise Fernandez / Facebook
The veteran news government made clear that the station’s newsroom, studios and news set have been off limits for that kind of content material.
“We should never produce such content, and we should absolutely NEVER create such content inside the station, in our newsroom or studios, using our news set as the background,” he wrote.
Pohovey additionally warned staff that the identical requirements ought to lengthen past company-owned accounts.
“Your station social media accounts should be used to share news/weather/sports information and help to drive traffic to our newscasts and website,” he wrote.
“But I think these same guidelines apply to personal social media accounts. Whether you are working or not, you still represent the station and must always remember your role as a credible, trusted journalist, not a Kardashian.”
Fernandez, a former Miss Miami, has constructed a profession as a tv journalist, incomes six Emmy Awards whereas anchoring and reporting for WPLG in South Florida. @jferntv/Instagram
He added bluntly: “Some of what I see is cringeworthy.”
The memo concluded with an appeal for workers to keep in mind that public confidence in journalism is already underneath pressure.
“I’m exhausted to have to repeat this but we are not influencers, we are journalists,” Pohovey wrote.
He invoked longtime Local 10 broadcasting legends Dwight Lauderdale and Ann Bishop, asking employees whether or not they would have behaved equally had social media existed during their careers.
She at the moment anchors the station’s weekday 3 p.m. and 10 p.m. broadcasts. @jferntv/Instagram
“I’ve been accused of being old and out of touch on this subject, but journalism and journalists are already under attack,” Pohovey wrote.
“People are losing trust in the news, and the nickname ‘fake news’ is beginning to stick. We’re seen as not serious and this unprofessional behavior only adds fuel to that fire.”
“The likes and follows are not worth eroding your credibility and the credibility of this news organization.”
The Post has sought remark from Fernandez.
