January 28, 2021

HE AIN’T YOUR FRIEND

Don Champion

The story emerges and so do all the stories that were originally buried.

Some stories are from people who still work there and others from those who may never work in the business again because of the ironically named WCBS news director and SVP of CBS David Friend.

Former reporter Don Champion experienced the latter. He worked at CBS first as a freelancer (like many do) then never got a contract. So he moved to CBS Newspath, where he thought it would be better. It wasn’t. He was fired after complaining about the rampant rasicm and verbal abuse.

Champion talked to NewsBlues – here’s his story.

1) You talked about your time at WCBS in New York City and how horrible it was. Now, so many people are coming forward saying they experienced the same thing. Why don’t you think anyone ever said anything?

I know there is a serious fear involved in speaking up about stuff like this. I have felt it for sure until now. I have friends who have been wronged by David Friend and Peter Dunn who for the sake of their careers have been afraid to speak up. You have to remember these are two of the most powerful men in local tv news. In speaking out- I feel like I had finally reached a point in my healing that I felt comfortable telling my story. I’m also no longer in news, so I felt like I had the freedom and space to speak without retaliation. 

2) The reason you decided to put your story in writing is because of others who are suffering. How many people do you know personally who have experienced this? An estimate is fine.

I know at least 6 people, personally, who have similar stories. Some are gay, some are women, some are white. David is an equal opportunity bully. I truly believe that.


3) How did it feel after you got fired from CBS Newspath? You’re not in TV anymore so I’m guessing they made it hard for you to get other jobs?
Getting fired was the worst experience of my life. I felt lost. I felt betrayed on so many levels. It really was a dark time in my life. Journalism had been my passion and to be honest, not a lot of jobs or opportunities make sense once you leave the network.  Support from my friends and family helped me survive.  Looking back, I’ve found a new thriving career in tech and I’m thankful that everything happened the way it did. It’s reinforced my belief that everything happens for a reason. It didn’t make sense at the time, but it certainly does now. I hope that’s a take away for anyone else who is in my shoes. You can recover and rebuild yourself. It’s actually been so fun getting to reinvent myself in my post-news life. I will admit it’s taken a lot of therapy too, to help me heal.

Don Champion

4) Someone we know personally went through this at another New York City station. She had to get out of the business because no one would hire her. Did that happen to you? Did that happen to anyone else you knew at the station?

I have friends who have been blacklisted by Peter Dunn and David Friend for turning down a job. I have friends who have been bullied for leaving a CBS O&O to go to the network. I have friends who haven’t been given fair opportunities at their stations who believe it’s because they’re black. This runs deep in the industry and at CBS O&O’s. I think the serious lack of diversity at CBS O&O’s tells you everything you need to know about how they ran the division. 

5) What are you doing now? Do you feel like you’ve been able to move on?

I’ve definitely been able to move on. My first job out of news was with Alaska Airlines in the e-commerce division where I got to learn a lot about tech. Being an #avgeek it was the opportunity of a lifetime and the people at Alaska are so incredibly nice. They really brought me back to life in so many ways. I’m so thankful for them and the experience. I know work at a tech company and am so grateful.
Thank you so much for sharing.  Whether you are conscious of it or not, your bravery is and will continue to inspire others in doing a small part to end these toxic tendencies in news and beyond.

More News from Thursday, January 28, 2021