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Page 3 November 5, 1979 :i Channel 5 Anchorwoman Maddox Reveals Media Conflict BY MICHAEL H. COTTMAN Panther News Editor Jacque Maddox — one of the first hlack women toco-anchor a prime time news program in Atlanta — feels being a profes sional means more than sim ply holding a newsroom an chor position. It should include learning to cope with the major personnel decisions of big business, she said. In early September, Marc Dovle, news director for WAGA. (Channel 5) told Ms. Maddox that she would be replaced as eo-anchorperson for the six and 11 p.m. newscasts. Ms. Maddox was informed by her supervisors that although she was being replaced, she would continue to he employed at the station as a member of the news staff. Since she received the news other new job assignment, Ms. Maddox has been transfered to the anchor desk of the noon report, a significantly less- prestigious time slot. Ms. Maddox, who has ten years of news experience to her credit, has worked as a reporter at WAG A for five years. She has held an anchor position for over two years. In an interview conducted at the television station, Ms. Maddox said, according to Dovle, “research indicates Ino longer fit,” she said. “They told me certain changes had to be made.” But despite apparent differences with her present job assignment, Ms. Maddox contends she is “not bitter.” “There were no arguments and it was very mild mannered,” said Ms. Maddox Photos by Roger Tyson “/ guess I was just a victim of the business — They wanted a new image, and they said they needed a change — Jacque Maddox of the way she adjusted to the station’s decision. Ms. Maddox suggested the mark of a true professional is “preparing for situations like this.” She said television is the “beast of the business,” and changes are hound to arise. Although she explained that she could not “legitimately” say she was removed from her position because of racial fac tors, she did, however, insist she was a “scapegoat” in this particular personnel change. “I guess I was just a victim of the business,” she said. “They wanted a new image, and they said they needed a change. Change means a personality change. I guess I was the easiest personality to change.” She implied that WAGA feels comfortable with lead an chorman Chuck Moore (a white journalist) therefore she was the only candidate for their plans. Ms. Maddox insisted her only complaint was not that she had been replaced, “but the way in which it was handled.” “She said the news ofher job assignment intially came from Doyle. She said the contact should have come from a higher authority. “I should have been ap proached by Paul Raymon,” (General Manger WAGA) she charged. “I’m a professional, and I think the station could have handled this in a more professional manner.” She added although Raymon did discuss the situation with her “a couple of days later,” she echoed herself saying, “I received no com munication from him.” Ms. Maddox said despite taking on a new position, her salary remained the same. She said, however, she could not actively seek employment with other networks because, “I’m held to my contract, and the station said they would not release me.” Ms. Maddox, who said she has over two years she must fulfill before her contract expires, explained that her contract also dictates a policy which forbids her to work in the Atlanta market for a specified amount of time following the expiration date of her contract. She mentioned that in the past it has been company policy to negotiate contracts with Raymon personally. She added her contract was han dled by other supervisors within the organization. “I just find it a little odd that my contract was not handled through Paul Raymon,” she said. But Raymon, who refused to comment on contract negotiations, said he does not feel it necessary “to get in volved in every department change.” “People tend to make a big deal out of this,” Raymond said. ‘This is just a part of the business. I don’t usually speak to every employee about department changes, but I have a very high regard for Jacque, and I felt it was neces sary to talk with her.” Raymon said his primary reason for the transfer of Ms. Maddox was due to “at- titudinal research.” “We did studies and they showed that ratings were lower than usual. We felt we needed more warmth and femininity,” Raymon said. “It wasn’t that we wanted a new image,” Raymon con tinued. “It was just that the product wasn’t what we wanted.” “We think Jacque is a real professional,” he said. “It's really just a matter of a different job assignment.” After discussing the situation with Raymon in detail, Ms. Maddox said she felt it necessary to “re compete” for her prior position. “I asked for an audition because ofthe principle behind it,” she said. “I’ve provefi myself, and I know what I’m capable of doing. It was their decision.” Ms. Maddox said she has received “thousands of letters" from local residents who were concerned over her absence on the six and 11 p.m. newscasts. “But unfortunately,” she said, “we wait until something happens before we let people know they are appreciated.” Ms. Maddox said her situation is just one of many situations that occurs nationally. “It’s not just me who is affected.” she outlined. “Ghanges are being made on all networks, and blacks are being replaced everywher-e.” She said that it is imperative for blacks to establish a “high visibility” rate on the air. “We need to be seen on the air,” she explained. “When television stations exclude hlack broadcasters, they are also excluding the black com munity which they should be responsive to.” Although Ms. Maddox said she was disturbed over the stations decision, she stated, “I conducted myself and res ponded to change as a profes sional.” The Panther Needs Photographers Interested?