Jury Awards Fired WOOD-TV News Execs Close To $4M

A Michigan jury has awarded nearly $2 million each to two former newsroom executives at Nexstar Media Group’s WOOD-TV after finding the broadcaster violated their privacy rights in connection with their 2023 firings, though it rejected their defamation claims.

Former News Director Stanton Tang and Assistant News Director Amy Fox won the verdicts in simultaneous trials. Fox received $2.393 million and Tang $1.683 million, amounts that include exemplary damages, according to court records.

The executives had sued Nexstar and some of its officials under state privacy law, alleging the company improperly confirmed details of their terminations to other reporters, including a CNN journalist. The jury sided with them on those claims while dismissing the defamation allegations.

The dispute began with a June 2023 memo Fox wrote at Tang’s direction that raised questions about WOOD-TV’s coverage of Pride Month events in the Grand Rapids area. The memo urged journalists to weigh whether individual celebrations warranted coverage and to seek opposing viewpoints on LGBTQ-related issues. Tang later said he was concerned that heavy coverage could alienate some conservative viewers, including members of his church.

Amy Fox

Newsroom staff strongly objected, viewing the guidance as an attempt to limit LGBTQ coverage; some refused to follow it. Nexstar investigated and weeks later fired Tang, Fox, and two other employees. The company publicly apologized, saying the memo was inconsistent with its values and journalistic standards.

In their lawsuits, Tang and Fox argued the memo called only for more careful editorial judgment, not a ban on Pride coverage, and that management had initially viewed it as consistent with policy before reversing course amid public criticism. They also claimed Nexstar unfairly cast them as anti-LGBTQ and improperly disclosed discipline details. Nexstar countered that the memo violated editorial standards, that the executives had lost the newsroom’s confidence, and that personal views had influenced decisions. Settlement talks failed, and the case went to trial.

A Nexstar spokesperson said the company is considering an appeal.

Tang now works at a Christian-format radio station in Michigan. Court records filed earlier this year indicated Fox has taken mostly lower-paying jobs, including a $23,400 position with a local nonprofit.