ABC exec made ‘pick cotton’ quip when Robin Roberts asked for more pay: report

The New York Association of Black Journalists challenges high-ranking executive for allegedly creating 'a toxic work environment for journalists of color'

Network executive Barbara Fedida allegedly made a 'pick cotton' comment when Robin Roberts tried to negotiate her contract renewal for more money.

Christian Spencer

Jun 14, 2020

Robin Roberts theGrio.com — Television personality Robin Roberts attends CoachArt's 9th Annual 'Gala Of Champions' at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on October 17, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images)

An ABC News executive, Barbara Fedida, allegedly made a “pick cotton” comment when Robin Roberts tried to negotiate her contract.

It was revealed that Fedida, senior vice president of talent and business, hurl the racist insults toward Black staffers in a lengthy exposuré on Saturday.

According to the HuffPost.com, the executive questioned in front of a room full of people if she should give the Good Morning America anchor a pay raise, wondering out loud what more could Roberts want from the network.

A witness said that Fedida even made a sarcastic remark, saying that it is not as if the African American journalist was “pick[ing] cotton.” It is worth noting that Roberts is a staple of the ABC News morning program, and she has been since her introduction in 2002.

Robin Roberts theGrio.com

Sources told HuffPost that Fedida also compared the expense of the company’s toilet paper supply to Kendis Gibson, a former Black anchor. She allegedly said that she spent more on rolls than Gibson’s salary.

Ironically, Fedida was tasked with ABC News’ diversity and inclusion efforts.

According to five of HuffPost‘s sources, despite being charged to work on creating a healthy space for all races to feel safe, she openly expressed disdain for the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), an organization of African-American journalists, students, and media professionals that seeks inclusion and representation in the media industry.

In a Sunday newsletter, The New York Association of Black Journalists (NYABJ), a local chapter of the NABJ, has expressed the following:

“We are extremely troubled that a high-ranking executive is alleged to have created such a toxic work environment for journalists of color — and that this behavior was allegedly longstanding.”

“The New York Association of Black Journalists joins the National Association of Black Journalists in calling for action from ABC News and its parent company, The Walt Disney Co., that would include the launching of an investigation led by an independent law firm; waiving confidentiality agreements with employees of color to allow them to speak on the record; and the hiring of an African American person to lead ABC’s diversity-in-hiring program,” NYABJ continued.

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