We were shocked and saddened to hear that veteran television news anchor Maureen Bunyan will no longer be informing us about local and world events effective the end of next month.
It seems that her employer, Sinclair Broadcast Group, has decided that they can do without the services and expertise of one of the most talented Black women to ever anchor the evening news.
We remember the thousands of times that the 40-year veteran brought us breaking news — news that we needed to hear. We recall her quite, yet constant acts that illustrated her unwavering commitment both to the citizens of the District and to members of the Black community.
We have not spoken with her employer who as many readers may recall, owns WJLA Channel 7, Bunyan’s TV home since 1999. But it appears that based on the needs of “the business,” Sinclair Broadcast Group has been moving in a different direction for the past several years, nudging those members of the old vanguard, including Arch Campbell, Tim Brant, Leon Harris, Gordon Peterson and now Maureen Bunyan, off the air and out the door.
Could it be examples of ageism — the decision to remove older employees and to replace them with more youthful men and women? Or are they simply victims of a change of format?
Whatever the reason, one thing is for certain. Maureen Bunyan will be missed.