Longtime Baltimore television anchor Mary Bubala is out of a job this week after asking on-air if the city should continue to elect female, African American mayors.
Mary Bubala, who spent 15 years at Baltimore’s CBS affiliate WJZ-TV, was covering the recent resignation of the city’s scandal-plagued mayor Catherine Pugh, when she asked the question.
“We’ve had three female, African American mayors in a row,” Bubala said during an interview with Karsonya Whitehead, a professor at Loyola University Maryland, last Tuesday. “They were all passionate public servants. Two resigned, though. Is this a signal that a different kind of leadership is needed to move Baltimore City forward?”
The moment flew by at the time, but eventually made its way to Twitter where hordes of users publicly called out Bubala.
On May 3, the anchor issued a public apology that currently remains pinned to the top of her Twitter page.
“Last night, during a live interview, I asked a question that did not come out the way I intended. I am so deeply sorry and sincerely regret the words I chose,” she said. “I appreciate those who have contacted me to share how this has impacted them. I am devastated that the words I used portray me as someone that I know I am not. I hope you allow me the opportunity to regain your trust.”
The story was first reported by the Baltimore Sun. Reps for WJZ-TV did not immediately respond to request for comment from TheWrap, but Bubala herself confirmed the news of her departure in a second apology posted to Facebook on Tuesday.
“I wanted to do an on-air apology but was not allowed. I hope that the people of Baltimore know that I would never do anything to hurt anyone,” Bubala said, while adding that she initially received support from her network. “Unfortunately, I now stand in the path of the tornado. WJZ was forced to let me go. I am saddened and shocked by this decision.”