Barbara Fedida, a senior news division talent and business affairs executive at ABC News, has been terminated following an inquiry into allegations that she made racially offensive comments. Additionally, the network indicated that adjustments will be made in light of the manner in which Ms. Fedida exercised her position's authority.
According to an internal document, ABC News has severed relations with a seasoned executive after an inquiry determined she made racially offensive statements.
Barbara Fedida managed in a hard manner and, on times, used crude and improper language, according to an email from Walt Disney Television Chairman Peter Rice to ABC News personnel.
Fedida, who was placed on administrative leave last month, is no longer eligible to work in a "leadership capacity" and will not return to Disney-owned ABC's news division, Rice wrote in an email obtained by The Associated Press on Monday.
According to Rice, independent counsel determined that Fedida made some of the "inappropriate" remarks that were initially ascribed to her in a HuffPost piece.
Nothing was discovered to corroborate media assertions that ABC News filed hundreds of complaints about Fedida with human resources or that ABC News paid millions of dollars in private settlements linked to Fedida, Rice, who is also co-chairman of Disney Media Networks, said.
Fedida's representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment. She began her career with ABC News in 1989 as a production assistant and quickly ascended to managerial positions. She left in 2006 to join CBS News, returned in 2011 as senior vice president for talent and business, and most recently served as senior vice president for talent and business. ABC declined to comment.
While Rice praised Fedida for her efforts during her time at ABC News, he stated that adjustments will be made "in light of the manner in which Ms. Fedida exercised her position's influence."
Business affairs will operate independently of talent relations and recruiting, Rice stated in an email.
Additionally, the business notes that "much work has to be done to strengthen our culture of inclusiveness and advance our aim of attracting, developing, and keeping diverse talent." 'Additional details will be released,' he stated.
Fedida told HuffPost in a statement for its June 13 post that she had a track record as a "fighter" for diversity in network news and characterised the allegations against her as "heartbreaking and very inaccurate."
Her retirement comes at a time when the country is particularly sensitive to claims of racism, as a result of George Floyd's filmed murder in police custody in Minneapolis and the accompanying protests and criticism of injustice.
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