TEGNA Launches Internal Review of KGW Reporting on Fired Blazers Announcer

Key points

• TEGNA, owner of KGW-TV, launched an internal review to determine if reporters Devon Haskins and John Tierney adhered to company editorial processes when investigating Braiden Bell’s social media history.
• The Portland Trail Blazers fired Bell less than 12 hours after announcing his hire, citing offensive tweets from 2012 and 2013 that violated team and league policies.
• KGW reporter Devon Haskins discovered the tweets and reached out to the Blazers for comment; the team responded hours later with the firing announcement.
• Critics are divided on whether holding Bell accountable for teenage comments is reasonable or if he deserved a chance to apologize, while others question the Blazers’ immediate decision without seeking clarification.
• Haskins and assistant news director John Tierney removed contact information from their social media profiles due to backlash, with Haskins later deleting his X profile entirely.

Background

This incident follows a pattern of media scrutiny leading to rapid firings in sports broadcasting, similar to the 2026 firing of Wheel of Fortune announcer Jim Thornton after an internal investigation into online conduct. The current case highlights ongoing debates about the permanence of digital footprints and the responsibilities of news outlets when reporting on public figures’ past behaviors.

How outlets are covering it

The primary source, Awful Announcing, frames the TEGNA review as a critical examination of journalistic ethics, questioning whether KGW should have reported on Bell’s teenage posts and whether the Blazers acted prematurely. It notes that while some view the tweets as crossing a line, others argue Bell should have been given a chance to explain himself. The secondary source from ESPN is inaccessible due to a 403 error, providing no additional perspective. The archive context shows a recurring theme of broadcasters facing termination after internal investigations into past conduct, suggesting a broader industry trend of zero-tolerance policies in response to media exposure.

Why it matters

This case underscores the growing tension between media freedom and the consequences of digital permanence, particularly for public figures. It raises questions about the ethical boundaries of reporting on pre-adult behavior and the speed with which organizations react to media pressure, potentially setting precedents for future hiring and vetting processes in sports broadcasting.

What to watch

The outcome of TEGNA’s internal review will determine whether KGW-TV’s reporting practices were deemed appropriate. Bell may face continued professional challenges, while the Blazers and TEGNA may adjust their policies regarding social media vetting and media relations. Public debate on the ethics of holding individuals accountable for teenage online behavior is likely to continue.