GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — The general manager of a television news station in western Michigan has issued an apology after a memo was sent to the staff, instructing them to reduce coverage of LGBTQ+ events during Pride Month due to concerns about potential division.
According to the Detroit Free Press, which obtained a copy of the memo, it requested that the WOOD-TV staff assess the newsworthiness of Pride events. The memo acknowledged the conservative nature of West Michigan and expressed the need to recognize that certain stories related to LGBTQ+ issues could be controversial and polarizing within the community.
WOOD-TV, owned by Nexstar Media based in Texas, released a statement on Friday, asserting that the memo did not align with the company’s values, its approach to news coverage, or its respect for viewers. The statement emphasized WOOD-TV’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, affirming its dedication to comprehensive and inclusive reporting of daily news, in line with these core values. Julie Brinks, the general manager of WOOD-TV, reiterated this commitment in her statement on Friday.
Brinks stated that Nexstar Media would take appropriate measures to address the situation and expressed apologies for any offense caused to members of the LGBTQ+ community and viewers of WOOD-TV.
Opposition to Pride events and pro-LGBTQ+ content has gained traction among certain Republicans and conservatives in national and local politics. A case in point involves a library in western Michigan, where residents successfully campaigned to restrict funding after the library refused to remove LGBTQ+ materials from its shelves, mirroring similar incidents in other states.
The repercussions of this opposition are also impacting the financial performance of news outlets. The WOOD-TV memo, as reported by the Free Press, highlighted the need for balanced coverage of Pride events and the inclusion of multiple perspectives. The memo further acknowledged the emergence of viewer pushback against such coverage.
According to the Free Press, the memo acknowledged that while staff members may hold differing opinions, it emphasized the importance of respecting the opinions of viewers, as they are entitled to their own perspectives.
In terms of political leanings, Kent County, where Grand Rapids is located, had a majority of its voters (nearly 52%) support President Joe Biden, a Democrat, in the 2020 general election. In contrast, adjacent Ottawa County, which falls within WOOD-TV’s coverage area, had nearly 60% of its votes cast in favor of then-President Donald Trump, with Biden receiving about 38%.
In January, Ottawa County’s board of commissioners saw a conservative Christian group called Ottawa Impact gain a majority and make several controversial decisions. This included the immediate closure of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Department. The board also chose not to allocate funds to support the county’s largest Pride festival held in Holland.
However, despite these decisions, the inaugural Pride festival held in Grand Haven, Ottawa County, attracted thousands of attendees last weekend, indicating a significant turnout and support for the event.