Columbus Layoffs Reveal Tegna’s Cuts About More Than On-Air Talent

The news that the former anchor and current director of community affairs WBNS in Columbus, Angela Pace has been licensed by Tegna’s CBS affiliate cannot make the usual list of titles we publish.

But a closer look may show that it signals a deeper problem than a simple downsizing. It may very well prove that station groups have lost sight of why local TV stations started in the first place: to inform and reflect the communities it is supposed to represent.

For the last few months, Tegna Inc. eliminated the marketing and community affairs departments in its own network of stations. Similar cuts occurred in Sacramento, California where sources said the National Academy of Arts and Sciences SF/NorCal Chapter that the station had all of its marketing and creative team members.

Former Mayor of Columbus Michael Coleman he said the station is losing a deep connection with the community.

“Angela is one of the best anchors and reporters Ohio has ever had, and she’s one of the best people I know,” Coleman said. he told the Columbus Dispatch. “The removal of (his) position is, for me, a message to the community that they no longer count.”

“I’ve been here 34 years. I think, and I love this place. I love the people I work with,” Pace told The Dispatch. “But more importantly, I like all the community organizations with which I have the opportunity to work to help, to promote their programs, their events, to give voice every chance I have, and making sure that they are able I will continue to serve the people of central Ohio.”

Pace began working at the station in 1992 as a community relations specialist before becoming an anchor in 1993. In 2006, she was named director of community affairs.