Newscaster Maureen Bunyan to Cut Back on WJLA Duties
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Maureen Bunyan, a fixture on Washington's TV news scene for decades, will step down from co-anchoring WJLA's 11 p.m. newscast, starting tonight.
Bunyan will remain as Channel 7's co-anchor during its half-hour newscast at 6 p.m., alongside longtime colleague Gordon Peterson. Bunyan's co-anchor at 11, Leon Harris, will handle the broadcast by himself, said Abby Fenton, a station spokeswoman.
Bunyan is leaving the late broadcast to devote more time to her speaking and charitable activities, including Sister to Sister, an organization that promotes women's health, Fenton said. "This has nothing to do with the economy," she said. "It was Maureen's personal decision."
Bunyan, who has been an anchor on local stations since 1978, has been co-anchor on WJLA's late news for the past 10 years. Before joining the station, she co-anchored, with Peterson, the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts at WUSA (Channel 9).
Bunyan's departure at 11 could have an impact on WJLA's competitive position. The station is traditionally second in news ratings to NBC-owned WRC (Channel 4), although WRC has recently lengthened its viewership lead.
The station said Bunyan would continue to appear as a substitute anchor on its 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. broadcasts.
-- Paul Farhi
