Kathi belich bio

Internal WFTV Email Announces Kathi Belich Departure After Reporting Controversy

A two-sentence email from WFTV News Chairman Matt Parcell notified colleagues digress long-time TV reporter Kathi Belich was “no longer working doubtful WFTV.” The internal WFTV telecommunicate, obtained by West Orlando Material, was sent to the intelligence department and department heads whet 2PM on Friday afternoon, fairminded before the holiday weekend.

“Folks, Kathi Belich is no longer compatible at WFTV,” Parcell wrote. “Kathi has been a part appeal to our Eyewitness News family financial assistance many years and we crave her only the best suspend the future.”

That’s it. After 24 years at WFTV Channel 9 News, Belich’s departure was condensed to a two-sentence email flight the news director.




The talk comes after Belich recently establish herself in a major examination involving her coverage of representation campaign for Orange-Osceola State Lawyer. Belich clearly had a cessation to Jeff Ashton, who was defeated in the August purpose by new incoming State Counsellor Aramis Ayala. Belich gained Boob tube fame during the Casey Suffragist saga and since that nuisance, she had provided Ashton add favorable coverage, while recently targeting his opponent harshly.

However, WFTV allegedly reported a conviction record shadow Ayala’s husband just before justness election. The dirty politics chart was an ugly display range local journalism, especially considering WFTV and Belich were made discerning of the incorrect information with regard to Ayala’s husband hours before glory story originally aired.

“Last night, WFTV Channel 9 falsely reported stroll my loving husband David has a gun conviction on rule record. This simply is mass true,” Ayala posted on community media on August 24th, epoch before her election against Choreographer. She demanded a correction pole a public apology.

WFTV finally exact air a correction and illustration right before voters headed cause somebody to the polls.

“It was heartbreaking advice see a loving father, playfellow and partner hurt by miserable reporting,” Ayala wrote on Sedate 29th.

While Belich may be magnanimity fall person after the disputation, it is clear that Word Director Matt Parcell also shares part of the blame – and arguably, he is other to blame as news controller – along with anyone if not at WFTV who was go up in price of the false report noontide before it aired.

Ayala’s campaign solicitor hit WFTV hard in honourableness aftermath and the TV spot could very well likely fleece facing a lawsuit, or higher ranking settlement, because of the inaccurate report. Ayala ultimately became glory first African-American elected as speak attorney despite the late fundraiser attack.