| Rose Tibayan speaks out on 'Action
News' suspension
Speaking publicly for the first time since she was suspended last month from WPVI, reporter Rose Tibayan said she "feels peace" even though she realizes she may never get back on the air for "Action News." by LAURA NACHMAN
Tibayan has been at odds with WPVI news director Carla Carpenter and
general manager Dave Davis over a resource book she wanted to write
geared toward college graduates and new broadcast journalists called
"Resumetapebook."
The problem began two years ago when Tibayan started sending e-mail
surveys to news directors across the country to compile information for
the book. Tibayan said that station management told her it did not want
her to use her WPVI affiliation and told her she was in violation of a
clause in her contract that stated:
"You also agree that you will not permit the publication of any
newspaper articles, magazine articles, books, or other literary works
written by you without having first received our prior written
approval."
Tibayan argued that she didn't break any rules because she's doing
research for a book, not publishing one. However, according to Tibayan,
after management told her how lucky she was to be working for
"Action News," they gave her an ultimatum - the book or her
job. Admitting that she "caved," Tibayan stopped working on
the book and signed an addendum to her contract dated June 27, 2000 that
stated:
"This is to inform you that I have read my contract and
understand that I am not allowed to publish any articles/letters/books
without your permission. As agreed, I will cease efforts to publish my
book 'Resumetapebook' for the remainder of my tenure and will not use my
position as a reporter at WPVI to obtain information for the book."
According to the reporter, "I stopped the book for two years as
a gesture of good faith. I resumed my research last month (hoping
management would allow me to publish the book in my next contract) and
this entire thing began again.
"This time, I wasn't as intimidated by them because so many
people were behind me. And, yes, I was willing to risk my job for this
book - I have. I will always stand up for the things that I believe in.
"This book will help so many students and neophytes during the
difficult process of finding a job in news. The book is not for mass
consumption. I will probably only sell 1,000 copies nationwide at best.
It's a book that I wish I had when I was a new reporter."
According to Tibayan, WPVI suspended her March 19, making it
"the big story" on the television industry sites www.tvspy.com
and www.medialine.com, as well as the trade magazine "Broadcasting
and Cable." Tibayan said she has received support from colleagues
at WPVI, employees at competing stations in town, and media from all
over the country. One co-worker told her, "Rose we know that if you
win, everybody wins." Tibayan, who is Filipino, has also received
support from the Filipino community and the Philadelphia chapter of the
Asian American Journalists Association.
To add insult to injury, on the first day of her suspension, Tibayan
read in the newspaper about the fiction book, "Krista," that
WPVI news anchor Rob Jennings wrote that coincidentally is scheduled to
be released this week. "It's not fair, but maybe because he has
been at the station so long, he got that privilege."
WPVI general manager Dave Davis said, "Rob Jennings wrote a
fictional novel and obtained permission from management." Davis
added that Jennings' did not use his WPVI association in writing the
book. Davis would not answer questions about Tibayan, stating, "we
don't comment on personnel issues."
Jennings said, "I feel badly for Rose. The only thing I can say
is that I followed the rules of my contract with Channel 6."
Tibayan has retained the services of attorney Lloyd Remick. With her
contract up on July 26, the native of Delaware and a University of
Delaware graduate, would like to stay at her "dream job" at
"Action News," but realizes the book may be closed on her
career at WPVI.
Tuesday, April 16, 2002
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