Former Sinclair reporter describes ‘culture of misogyny and xenophobia’

A former Sinclair Broadcast Group employee on Sunday claimed the company treated employees poorly, and urged it to “get [its] act together.” 

Jonathan Beaton, who worked at a Sinclair-owned station in Florida for less than a year, said on CNN’s “Reliable Sources” that the company fostered a “culture of misogyny and xenophobia.”

“I don’t want to see my former colleagues who are still working for Sinclair have to continue to sustain that,” Beaton said.

“And furthermore I want the young journalists to know out there, hey look at who you’re applying for when it comes to jobs and do your research,” he continued. 

{mosads}Asked what advice he’d give to company executives, Beaton said he’d tell them “to pull their head out of their ass and start treating their employees well.” 

Beaton stopped working at WPEC in West Palm Beach, Fla., in 2015. He said Sinclair sued him for breach of contract, and sought $5,700 in damages, the Orlando Sentinel reported. 

Beaton has since started his own public relations firm in Orlando.

Sinclair has been in the spotlight after Deadspin compiled clips of network anchors across the country reading the same statement in which they say that they are “concerned about the troubling trend of irresponsible, one-sided news stories plaguing our country.”

The corporate-scripted promos also warn of an “extremely dangerous” threat to democracy.

Critics and former employees have slammed the segment, saying it disparages media.

Sinclair officials have defended the promo, saying it shows no bias and was part of a well-researched initiative.