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STANTON, SIX OTHERS OUT AT SC’S TOP TV STATION
One of the most respected local television news anchors in South Carolina is out of a job after WIS-TV laid off seven employees today.
The man, the myth, the legend, David Stanton was reportedly let go, although The State newspaper could not conclusively confirm that he was among those terminated.
[WIS general manager Donita Todd] would not comment when asked specifically whether longtime anchor David Stanton still worked for the station. Stanton is no longer listed as a member of the “news team” on the NBC affiliate’s Web site.
“The broadcasting industry and WIS are not immune to the current economic environment,” Todd said. “In order for the station to be appropriately postioned for the coming year we had to take the difficult step of reducing our staff by seven positions. We don’t anticipate any further layoffs at this time.”
Todd said these were “unprecedented” economic times. “I”ve never faced anything like this in my 30-plus years in the industry.”
Last week, South Carolina Educational Television announced it was laying off 43 people to deal with a $2.3 million state budget cut. [The State]
Not only is Stanton gone from the WIS website, but they also apparently killed off his blog.
Now, it’s a well-known fact that newspapers are on their way out and that local TV news are right behind them, but I had no idea the rigor mortis would set in so soon.
I also find it pretty ironic that The State is so excited about writing TV news’ obituary because I’m guessing it won’t. Maybe they’ll be able to time it perfectly so that The State can report on WIS shutting down the same day WIS reports The State is shutting down.
One place that won’t be shutting down though is The Palmetto Scoop. The blogosphere is rolling along just fine, baby, because we don’t waste millions on needless overhead and out-of-date practices.
The only hope for local TV news and newspapers is to step out of the 19th Century and embrace the Web.
Of course, in writing this story, The State demonstrated why that will never happen. Not only were there a number of typos and grammatical errors (”postioned”), but they couldn’t even link to the “WIS News Team” page — I had to go in and add that myself. Morons.
“One of the most respected local television news anchors in South Carolina is out of job after WIS-TV laid off seven employees today,” wrote the self-anointed King of Copy editing.
“They couldn’t even link to the ‘WIS News Team’ page,” according to the editor of the website which failed to provide a link to The State article he quoted.
I really hope that they did not let Mr. Stanton go unexpectedly. I hope he left WIS on his own accord – he is a true journalist whose fairness and quality of work is something we really lack today in most MSM professionals.
stanton sucked but compred to the bufoons in sc he was a champ. Someone needs to fire snead from this site tho.
Having known and worked with David Stanton over the years, I was saddened to see him caught up in what is being referred to as “Bloody Tuesday” at Raycom nationwide. I have heard that four in the newsroom at Raycom’s WCSC TV in Charleston got similar pink slips.
David is one of the best in the business and I was always amazed at his ability to ad-lib breaking news events. It’s not easy to do live news coverage, especially when the earpiece is full of screaming from the director, floor crew, etc.
A finer person you’ll never meet. David, you’ll land on your feet and do well.
We always hate to lose the good ones.
[...] Adam Fogle over at the Palmetto Scoop revels in the blogosphere’s resilience, but misses the point entirely. Political blogs (especially consultant driven outlets like [...]
[...] WIS cans staff [...]
Mr. Stanton was WIS’s only claim to legitamate journalism. Otherwise it’s Ken and Barbie.
Shame, shame on you WIS. To unceremoniously dump David Stanton. When others have left, it was a week long love-fest,complete with banquets and some of the longest goodbyes in the history of television. Not for David Stanton – one minute David is doing the news and the next he is erased from the Web site. Gone. Now is that any way to treat someone who has been a part of WIS for 20 years? The definition of professionalism in South Carolina news is out, while the giggling gaggle of interchangeable children who can’t find South Carolina on a map continue to pose for the camera. Count on WIS to shoot itself in the foot. I guess that’s the best one can expect from a news organization that considers breaking into a cracker machine to be breaking news. It’s a sad day. Shame on you WIS.
They probably did Stanton a favor. Now he might be able to go work somewhere that doesn’t fill 20 minutes of a 30 minute “newscast” with “late-breaking” weather reports. With the other 10 minutes filled with a trailer on fire in Blythewood, a cat stuck in a tree in Gaston, and a dog pooping in the yard in Irmo. Oh, and job searches, blood drives, and stalking the “Midlands Most Wanted.” Plus, whichever USC player Spurrier threw under the bus today.
What a joke Local TV news has become.
I’d be the first to agree that the departure of my longtime colleague and friend is a devastating loss to WIS. But I’d be happy to debate anyone who thinks David was the only serious or professional journalist at this station.
I can think of one guy in particular who hardly fits the definition of a child, a giggler or a Ken doll. And he can spell “legitimate.”
Jack, I’ll give you credit: I’ve watched WIS for more than 2 decades and you are a serious journalist. You’re right. You do good work over there, despite the circumstances.
But let me ask you – what is your take on local news and where it’s going? I’d be interested to know what a local TV veteran thinks about it because like I said the stories I see covered (and not just on your station) have no business being classified as “news” IMO. It’s weather, trivial stuff or useless fluff. And back to weather.