A San Francisco news anchor has been suspended indefinitely after a dispute over the coverage of the Gabby Petito case.
Frank Somerville, an affiliate for KTVU, wanted to point out the disparity in coverage for missing white women compared to that of missing women of color. According to Mercury News, Somerville wanted a segment on Petito to include a tagline highlighting the extraordinary amount of coverage the case received.
Somerville was told by management that his tagline suggestion was “inappropriate.” The anchor, who is the father of an adopted Black daughter, pushed back. The source who spoke to the outlet did offer any other details regarding the conversation.
Petito, 22, was reported missing earlier this month while on a cross-country camping trip. Her body was discovered in Wyoming last week. An arrest warrant has been issued for Petito’s fiance, Brian Laundrie. Laundrie has not been cooperative with authorities and is now missing.