A Miami TV news anchor posted a series of vacation bikini photos from Fiji – just weeks after her station’s senior management sent staff a memo warning journalists against using social media for “foolish nonsense” and acting like influencers.
WPLG anchor Jenise Fernandez, a six-time Emmy-winner, shared Instagram posts showing herself in a bright red bikini emerging from crystal-clear water at the Cloud 9 floating resort, leaning against a bar in the same swimsuit and later raising shot glasses with friends during the tropical getaway.
“Now I know what it feels like to be on @cloud9_fiji,” Fernandez, a former Miss Miami who was fourth runner-up in the Miss Florida pageant, captioned one post earlier this year.
Jenise Fernandez, a WPLG anchor and former Miss Miami, posted bikini photos from her Fiji getaway. @jferntv/Instagram
She posted the photos despite a memo from WPLG Vice President of News Bill Pohovey urging employees to stop posting content that blurred the line between journalists and social media influencers.
“Too many of our social media accounts are being used for foolish nonsense,” he wrote staffers on Feb. 11.
“We don’t want dance videos with our staff. We don’t want fashion shows, outfits of the day, or other silly content that detracts from you as journalists,” Pohovey added.
The memo was first reported by industry site FTVLive.
The veteran news executive made clear that the station’s newsroom, studios and news set were off limits for that type of content.
Fernandez shared photos from a Fiji vacation despite a memo warning staff against posting “foolish nonsense” on social media. @jferntv/Instagram
“We should never produce such content, and we should absolutely NEVER create such content inside the station, in our newsroom or studios, using our news set as the background,” he wrote.
Another Instagram Story showed Fernandez and friends taking shots. @jferntv/Instagram
Pohovey also warned employees that the same standards should extend beyond company-owned accounts.
“Your station social media accounts should be used to share news/weather/sports information and help to drive traffic to our newscasts and website,” he stated.
Fernandez began her television career in Louisiana and later worked in Pensacola before returning to her hometown of Miami in 2014. Jenise Fernandez / Facebook
“But I think these same guidelines apply to personal social media accounts. Whether you are working or not, you still represent the station and must always remember your role as a credible, trusted journalist, not a Kardashian.”
He added bluntly: “Some of what I see is cringeworthy.”
Pohovey told The Post on Wednesday that Fernandez’s posts did not actually violate his directive.
Fernandez, a former Miss Miami, has built a career as a television journalist, earning six Emmy Awards while anchoring and reporting for WPLG in South Florida. @jferntv/Instagram
“The memo didn’t tell employees they couldn’t post vacation photos or other daily life activities on their personal social pages,” he said in an email.
“We do live in Florida and people wear bikinis on the beach. These photos were tasteful and completely fine.”
In his February memo, Pohovey urged employees to remember that public confidence in journalism is already under strain.
“I’m exhausted to have to repeat this but we are not influencers, we are journalists,” Pohovey wrote.
He invoked longtime Local 10 broadcasting legends Dwight Lauderdale and Ann Bishop, asking staff whether they would have behaved similarly had social media existed during their careers.
“I’ve been accused of being old and out of touch on this subject, but journalism and journalists are already under attack,” Pohovey wrote.
“People are losing trust in the news, and the nickname ‘fake news’ is beginning to stick. We’re seen as not serious and this unprofessional behavior only adds fuel to that fire.”
“The likes and follows are not worth eroding your credibility and the credibility of this news organization.”
She currently anchors the station’s weekday 3 p.m. and 10 p.m. broadcasts. @jferntv/Instagram
Fernandez, a Miami native who joined WPLG in 2014, anchors the station’s weekday 3 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts.
The Post has sought comment from her.