Jacques Natz

TVNewsCheck’s Michael Depp and Michael Stahl discuss Stahl’s bombshell reporting on News 12’s New York area hyperlocal news channels, where multiple sources allege systemic abuse and a damaged, diluted news product. A full transcript of the conversation is included.

Multiple former and current employees of News 12’s metro area New York cable news channels tell TVNewsCheck the company is suffering under systemic workplace abuses and that its hyperlocal news value proposition has been deeply compromised. Has the lauded news brand in the nation’s No. 1 market done irreparable, self-inflicted harm?

Jacques Natz, whose tenure as general manager of AlticeUSA-owned News 12 was marked by employee accusations of micromanagement and bullying leadership, was terminated by the company Wednesday with Altice News and Advertising President Keith Bowen stepping in as interim GM.

News 12 New Jersey has seen the recent or impending departures of its news director, assistant news director, two executive producers and a senior producer. Sources inside the Altice-owned cable channel say the exits were spurred by executive micromanagement and mistreatment of employees as well as a deprioritization of local news.

Executives from ABC News, Fox Owned Stations, WCBS New York, News 12 and FX Design Group took the measure of remote production’s changes on the industry in a NewsTECHForum panel this week. While traditional studio and field reporting are returning, permanent workflow adjustments are also settling in. Above (l-r): Glen Dickson, Jacques Natz, Fabian Westerwelle, Peter McGowan, Mack McLaughlin and Erik Smith.