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Former Kansas City Reporter Hopes Her Story Helps Expose Racial Bias In TV Newsrooms

By Steve Kraske,

Published July 1, 2020 at 4:02 PM CDT

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Head shot of Lisa Benson — Lisa Benson was a reporter with KSHB-TV for 14 years before being fired in 2018.

A court ruled last year that Lisa Benson was retaliated against by her former employer, but stopped short of saying she was discriminated against because of her race. Benson hopes the ordeal has forced the 41 Action News team "to confront their racial bias."

The experienced Black journalist says the hardest part of her ordeal was knowing coworkers who complimented her work in private "would never, ever support me in the daylight."

Lisa Benson, former TV reporter and author of "Anchored in Bias: Fired Over 'White Tears'"

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Steve Kraske

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.

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Luke X. Martin

As culture editor, I oversee KCUR’s coverage of race, culture, the arts, food and sports. I work with reporters to make sure our stories reflect the fullest view of the place we call home, so listeners and readers feel primed to explore the places, projects and people who make up a vibrant Kansas City. Email me at luke@kcur.org.

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Grace Cole

Grace Cole is an intern for KCUR's Up To Date.

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