Thirteen female staffers are suing The Black News Channel accusing the company of unfair pay and having a sexist, misogynistic workplace culture, per TheWrap.
According to the suit, the women claim that the workplace environment at the media outlet forced them “to conform to sexist or misogynistic stereotypes about how women are supposed to behave.”
The 13 female staffers filed the lawsuit in Cook County, Illinois, Circuit Court, alleging that the network disciplined or fired female employees for being too vocal, pushy, and aggressive.
Ashley Flete, who worked BNC as an anchor, filed the suit alongside Claudia Jean last August. Flete states that a producer at the company had been “berating” her about being “insufficiently feminine” through her earpiece while she was on the air.
Flete filed a complaint with human resources after the incident, but the network eventually terminated her six months into her two-year contract. BNC states that the channel no longer needed a morning host, but the former anchor believes it was punishment for her complaint.
Along with Flete and Jean, the other plaintiffs include talent producer Claudia Jean, executive producer Maria Roach, newsroom executive Felicia Burton, director Lauren Coleman, line producer Kyra Branch and part-time assignment editor Kisha Wilkinson. In addition, there are six additional plaintiffs listed as “Jane Doe” on the complaint.
Reps for BNC have yet to comment on the lawsuit.
Eduardo Razo is the Assistant Content Editor for BNM, which includes writing daily news stories on the news media industry. He can be found on Twitter @eddierazo_ or you can reach him by email at eddie1991razo@gmail.com.
