Comments on: Ex-WKYT reporter sues station for age discrimination

By: Carey Campbell

Carey Campbell — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:39:10 +0000

I would like to echo the respectful, and on point comments Jerry Sanders.

Jerry Sanders is an outstanding person, and disciplined professional.

The decency and respect Jerry shows others is the needed now more than ever in journalism, especially broadcast news, and life.

I too worked at WKYT as a reporter, bureau chief, and anchor. Jerry Sanders was a real Kentucky gentleman, and first class journalist.

In a very competitive business, Jerry was always generous, and kind. Smart. Dedicated. Focused.

It was a pleasure to work with Jerry, and for a Kentucky boy an honor to work at WKYT. I wish both well, and hope they’ll resolve this in a respectful Kentucky fashion.

Jerry’s skills, and kindness are needed in newsrooms and on broadcasts nationwide every day.

By: Lance Ferguson

Lance Ferguson — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 05:56:48 +0000

From the perspective of one who has been interviewed (repeatedly) by Jerry, let me say he was and remains professional and thorough, and asks the difficult questions without becoming intrusive or rude.

Succinctly, Jerry is kind, and patient.

It is a sad social commentary that these qualities have been lost in modern mass media. Turn on any national news network, and cacophoney and interruption is the modus operandi. Jerry’s respect of the individual in his reporting is a lesson lost in the push for “entertainment” rather than the unbiased presentation of facts. Gibson and Couric could learn volumes from Jerry Sander.

I wish him well, and sincerely hope he can convince his students that an earnest search for the truth need not preclude civility. We need more Jerry Sanders in our world.

By: Don Bowman

Don Bowman — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 15:47:05 +0000

Having worked in TV for 13 years… the first 6 of them at this station with Jerry… I’m just shaking in my head in disgust at this whole situation. I don’t know Bob Thomas, but I do know Wayne and I must say this surprises me.

I saw this action firsthand at another station I worked at, but I don’t recognize it as age discrimination, but more salary discrimination. The larger the salary, the bigger a target you are when the station needs to cut… regardless of your experience, your value to the station or your time of service.

26 years of dedicated service to one TV station, especially in this day and age, is a rarity. Even if the parting was necessary for Jerry and the management, for Wayne to let that time of service mean absolutely nothing in the end says a lot about how his lengthy time at the helm has soured him as well. I hope Gray cuts their losses and settles nicely.

By: Debra

Debra — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:54:42 +0000

I’ve worked with Jerry and have incredible respect for him as a journalist and professional colleague. Fortunately, I got out of the television business and am glad I did. Those of us who value solid journalism — instead of the fluff, pseudo-entertainment that passes for local news these days — see Jerry’s firing as a loss.

By: Sarah Writer

Sarah Writer — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:12:03 +0000

WKYT should have given him severance and paid the unemployment. It was a stupid move both politically and financially. Defending an employment discrimination suit will cost them at minimum 250K. That, of course, has nothing to do with the decency of firing a veteran reporter in this manner.

As a journalist I’ve been a couple of upheavals. If management was better in the content and that vision thing areas television and print journalism might be doing better. I’m sick of watching college kids in corporate mandated ‘looks’ — down to the makeup and hair cuts — reading rehashed news. There is no such thing as a ‘reporter’ any longer.

As for the posters slamming this reporter remember you’re aging every day and some day will find yourself the senior in your field and getting dumped on daily when management decides you no longer fit the mold. Here’s hoping you acquire some integrity from an older mentor before that happens.

By: Terry

Terry — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:03:58 +0000

I been watching 27 news for many long years and I think Jerry did a great job as a reporter! Maybe Jerry is getting older but who is perfect jerry should had been able to keep his contract untill 2012.

By: John Davis

John Davis — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:13:09 +0000

I have known Jerry for for more than 25 years. I worked with him at WKYT for nine years when I was both Chief photographer and Special Projects Producer-Photographer.
I worked with Jerry almost everyday when he was a full time medical reporter. We also worked most holidays together. I can truly say there is not a reporter with more integrity, talent, and substance than Jerry Sander. He is the best television news writer I have worked with over the years. He always approached his stories with both compassion and clarity. The facts were always his focus, not the flair.
I’d like to remind y’all that we all age but it does not mean that we become irrelevant. Sadly, the public and news management seem to demand a cute young thing one year out of J school more than a reporter who understands the community, understands the issues and understands the world around them.
All I know is that this would not have ever happened under Ralph Gabbard and Ken Kurtz. Experience counts!

John Daviis
Alpenwolf Productions
Sacramento, Ca.

By: RansomI

RansomI — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 09:54:39 +0000

Like the plaque on my Mother’s kitchen wall, “Just like coffee we will all get old and weak someday”. Those of us who have achieved that status know what it’s like. I have watched Jerry Sanders both in Huntington and Lexington for many years. When he finished a report, you knew what happened. Look at the national news networks, all female, more Hooters girls than reporters. KY has more media markets than almost any state around. Like it or not, Lexington people, you are a part of eastern KY and it’s coverage area. Who do you think proped up your economy over the years. Maybe a little coal money? If you want Northern KY or Louisville news change the channel. What are you going to do about Paducah news or Bowling Green news or Owensboro. If you knew anything about our state you would also know about St Louis, Evansville, Nashville and Cincinnati. Do you think there is a TV station in FT Wright or Dayton, KY? Do you think people in Fulton or Marshall counties give a s**t about Lexington? Unlike the sun, Lexington is not the center of the universe.

By: Tyrone

Tyrone — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 21:32:46 +0000

What ever happened to Lannie Braddock and Cori Lake? Atleast Jerry was better than them.

By: V& M

V& M — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:54:34 +0000

I HAVE WATCH JERRY ON 27 NEWS FOR YEARS
FROM HIS MEDICAL REPORT TO HIS STORY ON THE
THE RESUE OF HOMER ( DOG ). I ALWAYS THOUGHT HE PUT HIS HEART AND SOUL INTO EVERY STORY HE DID.
HE HAD TO BE A GOOD REPORT TO LAST 30 YEARS
COULD YOU LAST 30 YEARS IF YOU SUCKED AT YOUR JOB?
A TOP NOTCH REPORTER LIKE JERRY SHOULD HAVE EARNED
MORE THAN $ 80,000 .
JERRY YOU DESERVE TO WIN YOUR LAWSUIT
GOOD LUCK & BET THE PANTS OFF OF THEM