KABC-TV LOS ANGELES ANNUAL EEO PUBLIC FILE REPORT
August 1, 2022
I. GENERAL POLICY
This report covers the period from July 22, 2021 through July 15, 2022
KABC-TV (the "Station") has a longstanding commitment to a policy of equal employment and advancement opportunities for all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, gender, marital status, religion, age, national origin, citizenship status, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, covered veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by state or federal law.
In the Station's commitment to fair employment practices, we strive to ensure that equal consideration is extended to all employees and applicants in recruitment, selection procedures, employee development, performance evaluation, promotions, transfers, benefits and other aspects of employment.
It is the Station's policy to promote the realization of equal employment opportunity through a positive, continuing program of specific recruitment, outreach, hiring, promotion and other practices.
In compliance with the EEO record keeping requirements, the Station creates a file for each position to be filled. The file generally includes, but is not limited to, the following items: copies of advertisements, emails, and distributions to the Station's mailing lists used to notify sources of the opening, and a summary of interviewees who applied for the vacancies as well as their referral sources.
In addition, the Station documents and retains information about its long-term recruitment initiatives. These files generally include, but are not limited to: the nature and date of each activity, the scope of the Station's participation, and the names and titles of the Station personnel involved.
II. RESPONSIBILITY
Cheryl Fair, KABC-TV's President & General Manager, is responsible for supervising EEO compliance.
III. POSITIONS FILLED AND RECRUITMENT METHODS
KABC-TV has publicized job vacancies in the following ways (except for positions filled through internal promotion) and as indicated below:
1. Sending or emailing the KABC-TV job listing to the 49 organizations and schools detailed in Attachment A. KABC periodically broadcasts on-air announcements publicizing the fact that qualified organizations may request to be added to our mailing list, and we post a similar message on the jobs page of the station's website (www.abc7.com/jobs).
2. Posting open positions on the station's website and job line, https://abc7.com/jobs/.
3. Posting open positions via DirectEmployers Association Job Syndication Alliances detailed in Attachment B.
4. Posting open positions in the Company online job listing (https://jobs.disneycareers.com/).
Following are the positions filled during the period of July 22, 2021 to July 15, 2022:
General Assignment Reporter (Posted 02/15/21, Filled - Christiane Cordero 08/04/21)
In addition to this job vacancy being publicized as described above, this position was advertised in the following publications: TVJobs.com, NABJ.org, NAHJ.org, Allwomeninmedia.org, AAJA.org, JournalismJobs.com.
Twelve people were interviewed. Referral sources of the candidates interviewed were as follows: industry referral - 6; company online job listing - 3; internal station candidate - 3. The candidate hired was an industry referral.
Executive Producer (Posted 04/20/21, Filled - Mazen Hafez 09/07/21)
In addition to this job vacancy being publicized as described above, this position was advertised in the following publications: TVJobs.com, NABJ.org, NAHJ.org, Allwomeninmedia.org, AAJA.org, JournalismJobs.com.
Nine people were interviewed. Referral sources of the candidates interviewed were as follows: company online job listing - 5; internal station candidate - 2; LinkedIn.com - 1; employee referral - 1. The referral source of the candidate hired was the company online job listing.
Newswriter/Newscast Producer (Posted 02/06/21, Filled - Nicolette Harris 09/13/21)
In addition to this job vacancy being publicized as described above, this position was advertised in the following publications: TVJobs.com, NABJ.org, NAHJ.org, Allwomeninmedia.org, AAJA.org, JournalismJobs.com.
Nineteen people were interviewed. Referral sources of the candidates interviewed were as follows: company online job listing -7; internal station candidate - 7; TVJobs.com - 2; station website - 1; LinkedIn - 1; industry referral - 1. The referral source of the candidate hired was the company online job listing.
Mobile Video Journalist (Posted 02/22/21, Filled - Jeric Zavalla 09/27/21)
In addition to this job vacancy being publicized as described above, this position was advertised in the following publications: TVJobs.com, NABJ.org, NAHJ.org, Allwomeninmedia.org, AAJA.org, JournalismJobs.com.
Fifteen people were interviewed. Referral sources of the candidates interviewed were as follows: Company online job listing - 12; internal station candidate - 3. The referral source of the candidate hired was the company online job listing.
Digital News Producer (Posted 07/20/21, Filled - Monica Grimaldo 09/26/21)
In addition to this job vacancy being publicized as described above, this position was advertised in the following publications: TVJobs.com, NABJ.org, NAHJ.org, Allwomeninmedia.org, AAJA.org, JournalismJobs.com, NAJAnewsroom.com.
Eight people were interviewed. Referral source of the candidates interviewed was as follows: Company online job listing - 8. The referral source of the candidate hired was the company online job listing.
Community Journalist (Posted 02/09/21, Filled - Amanda Palacios 10/11/21)
In addition to this job vacancy being publicized as described above, this position was advertised in the following publications: NABJ.org, NAHJ.org, TVJobs.com, AAJA.org, Allwomeninmedia.org, JournalismJobs.com.
Nine people were interviewed. Referral sources of the candidates interviewed were as follows: internal station candidate - 1; company online job listing - 7; industry referral - 1. The candidate hired was an internal station candidate.
Social Media Producer (Posted 08/11/21, Filled - Stephanie Lopez Ruvalcaba 09/17/21)
In addition to this job vacancy being publicized as described above, this position was advertised in the following publications: TVJobs.com, NABJ.org, NAHJ.org, Allwomeninmedia.org, AAJA.org, JournalismJobs.com, NAJAnewsroom.com.
Nine people were interviewed. Referral sources of the candidates interviewed were as follows: LinkedIn.com - 2; company online job listing - 6; employee referral - 1. The referral source of the candidate hired was the company online job listing.
Streaming Producer (Posted 10/13/21, Filled - Lauren Westberg 01/24/22)
In addition to this job vacancy being publicized as described above, this position was advertised in the following publications: NABJ.org, NAHJ.org, TVJobs.com, AAJA.org, Allwomeninmedia.org, JournalismJobs.com.
Four people were interviewed. Referral sources of the candidates interviewed were as follows: internal station candidate - 2; company online job listing - 1; LinkedIn - 1. The referral source of the candidate hired was LinkedIn.
Morning News Producer (Posted 11/30/21, Filled - Indigo Silva 03/06/22)
In addition to this job vacancy being publicized as described above, this position was advertised in the following publications: TVJobs.com, NABJ.org, NAHJ.org, Allwomeninmedia.org, AAJA.org, JournalismJobs.com, NAJAnewsroom.com.
Eight people were interviewed. Referral sources of the candidates interviewed were as follows: LinkedIn - 4; company online job listing - 3; internal station candidate - 1. The candidate hired was an internal station candidate.
Newswriter/Newscast Producer (Filled - Laura Bouzari 04/22/22, Gabrielle Ortega 04/22/22)
These positions were filled through internal promotion.
Orange County Reporter (Posted 06/15/21, Filled - David Gonzalez 04/18/22)
In addition to this job vacancy being publicized as described above, this position was advertised in the following publications: TVJobs.com, NABJ.org, NAHJ.org, Allwomeninmedia.org, AAJA.org, JournalismJobs.com, NAJAnewsroom.com.
Five people were interviewed. Referral sources of the candidates interviewed were as follows: station website - 1; industry referral - 2; company online job listing - 1; AAJA.org - 1. The candidate hired was an industry referral.
Vice President - Operations and Business Planning (Posted 02/14/22, Filled - David Wurtzel 05/15/22)
In addition to this job vacancy being publicized as described above, this position was advertised in the following publications: TVJobs.com, NABJ.org, NAHJ.org, Allwomeninmedia.org, AAJA.org, NAJAnewsroom.com, JournalismJobs.com.
Five people were interviewed. Referral sources of the candidates interviewed were as follows: company online job listing - 4; internal station candidate - 1. The candidate hired was an internal station candidate.
Freelance Newswriters (Posted 07/27/20, Filled - Laura Bouzari 12/28/21)
In addition to this job vacancy being publicized as described above, this position was advertised in the following publication: NABJ.org, NAHJ.org, TVJobs.com, AAJA.org, Allwomeninmedia.org, JournalismJobs.com.
Seven people were interviewed. Referral sources of the candidates interviewed were as follows: station website - 2; JournalismJobs.com - 1; industry referral - 1; employee referral - 2; company online job listing - 1. The candidate hired was an industry referral.
Freelance News Assistant (3) (Posted 8/16/20, Filled - Erica Morris 08/07/21, Victoria Canales-Torres 01/15/22, Emily Holshouser 12/21/21)
In addition to this job vacancy being publicized as described above, this position was advertised in the following publications: TVJobs.com, NABJ.org, NAHJ.org, Allwomeninmedia.org, AAJA.org, JournalismJobs.com.
Twenty-one people were interviewed. Referral sources of the candidates interviewed were as follows: station website - 3; company online job listing - 8; employee referral - 2; KABC-TV college intern - 4; JournalismJobs.com - 2; LinkedIn - 1; NAHJ.org - 1. One candidate hired was a KABC-TV college intern. The referral source of one candidate hired was the company online job listing. The referral source of the other candidate hired was the station website.
Freelance News Editors (Posted 05/01/18, Filled - Saul Clemente 03/12/22, Jamel Northern 06/11/22)
In addition to this job vacancy being publicized as described above, this position was advertised in the following publications: TVJobs.com, NAHJ.org, JournalismJobs.com.
Six people were interviewed. Referral sources of the candidates interviewed were as follows: station website - 1; internal station candidate - 2; employee referral - 3. The candidates hired were employee referrals.
Freelance ENG Camerapersons (Posted 06/15/19, Filled - Mike Tauber 01/29/22, James Faulkner 10/09/21)
In addition to this job vacancy being publicized as described above, this position was advertised in the following publications: TVJobs.com, NAHJ.org,
Two people were interviewed. Referral sources of the candidates interviewed were as follows: station website - 1; employee referral - 1. The referral source of one candidate hired was the station website. The other candidate hired was an employee referral.
IV. LONG TERM RECRUITMENT INITIATIVES
KABC-TV is committed to performing ongoing non-vacancy specific recruitment efforts that bring attention to the variety of job and career opportunities at the station. Outreach efforts are designed to provide easy access for candidates to apply for job opportunities, as well as provide information and training to develop a diverse pool of prospective candidates for the future.
A. Participation in Job Fairs
KABC-TV participated in three job fairs during the reporting period. Station personnel participated in job fairs by distributing information about career and internship opportunities, soliciting resumes, interviewing job seekers, critiquing demo reels and providing career guidance.
Below is a list of job fairs attended by KABC-TV and participating Station personnel:
- National Association of Hispanic Journalists National Convention (6/16/21 - 7/17/21) - Virtual Conference - Pam Chen - VP of News and Armando Barragan - Assistant Manager, News
- National Association of Black Journalists National Convention (8/18/21 - 8/21/21) - Virtual Conference - Monique Harris - Executive Producer
- Asian American Journalists Association National Convention (8/24/21 - 8/28/21) - Virtual Conference - Pam Chen - VP of News, Dan Rasmussen, Assistant News Director, Christiane Cordero, Reporter, and David Ono - News Anchor
- National Lesbian and Gay Journalist Association (NLGJA) (9/9/21 - 9/12/21) - Virtual Conference - John Squatritto - Design Director & Manager, Audience Engagement and Edd Adamko - Director, Content Development
B. Internship Program
KABC-TV's internship program offers paid internships for college students interested in careers in television broadcasting. The internship program is designed to provide students with an onsite educational experience that complements their academic studies. During the reporting period, KABC-TV hired twelve interns.
KABC-TV's internship program has launched the careers of hundreds of students with aspirations to work in broadcasting. Currently there are seven former KABC-TV interns working at the Station, including on-air talent.
Recruitment outreach for interns is accomplished using a variety of methods with attention to resources that provide a diverse candidate pool. Job fairs and career fairs at colleges with diverse student populations are a major source of candidates. Notices are posted at local colleges, universities and minority organizations. Instructions on applying for a KABC-TV internship are featured on the ABC7 website.
Internship opportunities are promoted and applications are distributed at all job fairs, workshops, conferences, community meetings and student tours.
C. Listing each upper-level opening in a job bank or newsletter of a media trade group with a broad-based membership that includes women and minorities
The Station posts its job listings to the websites of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, National Association of Black Journalists, Asian American Journalists Association, and Alliance for Women in Media.
D. Participation in Conventions, Workshops and Seminars
KABC-TV worked closely with community-based organizations to sponsor and assist with planning, implementation, and active participation in eight conferences, conventions, workshops and seminars designed to provide information on career planning, job opportunities, resume writing and interview techniques.
Below are the events KABC-TV participated in:
- HOPE (Hispanas Organized for Political Equality) 3/11/22 - Latina History Day Conference
KABC-TV worked with HOPE to provide two keynote speakers and a mistress of ceremonies. Yvett Merino, Film Producer and Charise Castro Smith, Co- Director/Screenwriter from the movie, Encanto, participated as the breakfast keynote speakers. Leslie Lopez - Meteorologist participated as Mistress of Ceremonies.
- KOLLAB Workforce Development Program July - August 2021 - Virtual Summer Session - Glendale, CA
KABC-TV worked with LA County Alliance for the Boys & Girls Club to co-host the KOLLAB Workforce Development Program for high school students on the opportunities in the entertainment industry. Teresa Samaniego - Vice President, Diversity & Community Engagement, Mariel Moscoso - Diversity and Community Engagement Specialist and Eric Resendiz - Community Journalist participated as career forum experts.
- KOLLAB Teen Summit 11/06/21 - Virtual Sessions - Glendale, CA
KABC-TV worked with LA County Alliance for the Boys & Girls Club to co-host the KOLLAB Master Class Sessions for high school students on the opportunities in the entertainment industry. The summit brought together industries and organizations that are STEAM focused, academia based, nonprofits and governments to present resources and opportunities to youth on what they need to be successful now and into the future. It addressed most critical needs, focusing on career paths, diversity, job placement and more. Breakout sessions focused on college and career readiness as well as personal and professional development. Eric Resendiz, General Assignment Reporter, participated as virtual master of ceremonies and Ashley Mackey, Community Journalist, participated as career forum expert.
- KOLLAB Youth Workforce Development Program February - March 2022 - Virtual Winter Session - Glendale, CA
KABC-TV co-hosted the KOLLAB Youth Workforce Development Program for high school students on the opportunities in the entertainment industry. Teresa Samaniego - Vice President, Diversity & Community Engagement and Mariel Moscoso - Diversity and Community Engagement Specialist participated as career forum experts.
- KOLLAB Youth Workforce Development Program May - June 2022 - Virtual Spring Session - Glendale, CA
KABC-TV co-hosted the KOLLAB Youth Workforce Development Program for high school students on the opportunities in the entertainment industry. Teresa Samaniego - Vice President, Diversity & Community Engagement participated as career forum expert.
Station employee participation provides the opportunity to motivate and inspire interest specifically in careers in broadcast journalism, television production, sales, public affairs and other related fields.
KABC-TV on air talent and employees
On-air talent and employees represent KABC-TV at conferences, workshops and seminars as guest speakers. They provide insight to career opportunities and strategies for success in broadcast journalism. Below is a list of on-air talent and employee participation.
- Coleen Sullivan - News Anchor at the Lung Health Speaker Series: Lung Cancer, Transplants & Cedar Sinai MC (7/27/21)
- Chris Cristi - Evening Helicopter Reporter at the Lung Health Speaker Series: Air Pollution and Climate Change (8/3/21)
- Philip Palmer - News Anchor at the Hiring Heroes Virtual Career Fair Town Hall (8/18/21)
- Denise Dador - Health Reporter at the Role of Newspapers Before, During and After WWII Panel(9/20/21)
- Pam Chen - VP of News at the AAJA & NABJ-LA Panel: Diversity in Newsroom Leadership (10/6/21)
- Marc Cota Robles - General Assignment Reporter at the Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) Hispanic Latinx Heritage Month Panel: Insight Out - An Inclusivity Conversation (10/7/21)
- Danny Romero - Weathercaster at the Disney Enterprise Social Responsibility & Foothill Family Hispanic/Latinx Community Panel (10/13/21)
- Rob McMillan - Inland Empire Bureau Chief at the DEA LA Virtual Opioid Community Summit (10/26/21)
- Eric Resendiz - General Assignment Reporter at the Cal State Fullerton Titan Table Talks: Resilience in the LGBTQ+ Community (10/27/21)
- Eric Resendiz - General Assignment Reporter at the USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism Panel on Reporting about the Latinx Community (11/4/21)
- Eric Resendiz - General Assignment Reporter at the USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism Panel on Journalism Experience (11/4/21)
- Ashley Mackey - Community Journalist at the Los Angeles County Alliance Boys & Girls Clubs Virtual Teen Summit (11/6/21)
- Jessica De Nova - General Assignment Reporter at the Hispanic Public Relations Association of OC Mixer (12/2/21)
- Marc Brown - News Anchor at the Mayor Garcetti and Our Authors Study Club Roundtable Discussion: Black Health and Wellness (2/3/22)
- Josh Haskell - General Assignment Reporter at the Pacific Palisades Residents Association LA City Council District 11 Event (2/21/22)
- Chris Cristi - Evening Helicopter Reporter at Mashpee Middle High School Media Production Class (3/9/22)
- Leslie Lopez - Meteorologist at the HOPE Latina History Day Conference (3/11/22)
- Josh Haskell - General Assignment Reporter at the Brentwood Homeowners Association LA City Council District 11 Event (3/14/22)
- Jessica Dominguez - Producer at the Disney's Más+ Hispanic/Latinx Business Employee Resource Group (BERG) Empowering Women Voices Panel (3/23/22)
- Denise Dador - Health Reporter at the Center for the Advancement of Women Panel on Women's Health (3/24/22)
- Christiane Cordero - General Assignment Reporter at the Coro Southern California Women in Leadership Event (4/1/22)
- Philip Palmer - News Anchor at the Royal Canyon Property Owners Association Glendale City Council Candidate Forum (4/2/22)
- Eric Resendiz - General Assignment Reporter at the Latino Journalists NAHJ CSUF Chapter Media and Journalism Panel (4/6/22)
- Sid Garcia - General Assignment Reporter at the Journalism Education Association/National Scholastic Press Association Break with a Pro Panel (4/8/22)
- Jessica De Nova - General Assignment Reporter at the Willard Intermediate Career Panel (4/20/22)
- Josh Haskell - General Assignment Reporter at the Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters Mayoral Debate (4/21/22)
- Philip Palmer - News Anchor at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs Summit 2022 (4/22/22)
- David Ono - News Anchor at the DMED Technology Diversity Council AAPI Heritage Month: A Catalyst Conversation (4/28/22)
- Teresa Samaniego - Vice President, Diversity & Community Engagement at the Boys & Girls Club of Burbank and GEV Career Fair (4/29/22)
- Ellen Leyva - News Anchor at the Mental Health Town Hall (5/3/22)
- Jessica De Nova - General Assignment Reporter at the Lowell Elementary College and Career Week Panel (5/17/22)
- David Ono - News Anchor at the FBI LA Field Office/Diversity & Inclusion Asian American Pacific Islander Committee Event (5/31/22)
- Coleen Sullivan - News Anchor at the Cal State LA Pat Brown Institute Annual Event (6/9/22)
E. Mentoring Programs
KABC-TV personnel participate in the ABC Owned Television Stations and the Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution (DMED) Mentoring Programs. The goal of the Programs is to connect a diverse group of employees across the company and provide mentees with the opportunity to learn from and gain exposure to people in different areas of the business while elevating their voices to leaders. Jaime Elizalde - Creative Services Director and Michael Dominguez - Producer Content Development participated as mentees in the DMED Program. Adrianne Anderson - Programming, Marketing and Content Development, Edward Adamko - Director, Content Creation, and Cheryl Fair - President and General Manager participated as mentors in the DMED Program. Pam Chen, Vice President / News Director, Adrianne Anderson - Vice President, Programming, Marketing and Content Development, and Dan Rasmussen - Assistant News Director participated as mentors in the OTV program during the reporting period.
F. Provision of training to management level personnel as to methods of ensuring equal employment opportunity and preventing discrimination
KABC-TV management employees are required to complete the Walt Disney Company's "Preventing Harassment" and "Standards of Business Conduct" training courses every two years. These courses cover discrimination prevention and the importance of offering equal employment opportunities to all employees.
G. Training programs designed to enable station personnel to acquire skills that could qualify them for a higher level position
KABC-TV employees have access to a wide range of professional, leadership, and management training through the Walt Disney Company's D-Learn training program.
During the reporting period, KABC has invited guest speakers to address its employees on subjects relating to diversity and inclusion. The guest speakers are listed here:
October 2021 - KABC Belong Speaker Series: National Disability Employment Awareness Month - Ady Barkan - Healthcare Activist, Jamila Headley - Co-Director with Be A Hero and Victoria Cross - Senior Policy Advisor with Be A Hero.
December 2021 - KABC Belong Speaker Series: In-Depth Look into the Armenian Culture & Community - Ardy Kassakhian, Glendale Councilmember
April 2022- KABC Belong Speaker Series: Earth Day Discussion on Climate Change - David Ono - Co-Anchor of ABC7 Eyewitness News, Taylor Rees, Director of The Disney+ Earth Day special "Explorer: The Last Tepui," from National Geographic and Dr. Bruce Means, PH.D, Biologist of The Disney+ Earth Day special "Explorer: The Last Tepui," from National Geographic.
