Reporter Jonathan Betz is latest to leave WFAA8 newsroom (updated)
05/23/13 03:54 PM
By ED BARK
@unclebarkycom
Another seasoned reporter is leaving Dallas-based WFAA8, although this time not for a position in public relations.
Jonathan Betz, who joined the ABC affiliate in March 2008, said Thursday on his Facebook page that he’s accepting a job in New York City.
“I can’t say exactly where I’ll be working yet, but I’ll still be doing the news,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity, and I’m extremely excited.” Betz said he’ll also miss “all the great people here -- especially at Channel 8.”
(It’s now been confirmed that Betz will be anchoring for Al Jazeera America when the channel launches at a still to be announced date after buying out Al Gore’s Current TV in early January. “Just like the rest of Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera America is committed to high-quality, objective and balanced investigative journalism,” the network says on its website.
Al Jazeera still has an overall perception problem, however, with Time Warner immediately announcing it will not carry the network after the Current deal became official.)
Betz joined the station from WWL-TV in New Orleans and also worked at KHBS/KHOG-TV in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He’s a Richardson High School graduate with a bachelor of arts degree in broadcast journalism and international relations from Syracuse University. Betz also has filled in as a weekend anchor at WFAA8.
WFAA8 news director Carolyn Mungo has informed WFAA8 staffers of Betz’s departure in a memorandum that, at his request, contained no further details on his NYC destination. The station has lost a number of veteran reporters in the past several years, most recently Brad Watson to a public relations position with Luminant Energy. Others leaving the station, all for PR posts, include Craig Civale, Chris Hawes, Cynthia Vega and Casey Norton.
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