Operation PUSH to End TV Station Boycott

Operation PUSH will end its 11-month boycott of CBS-owned WBBM-TV because the station has improved its hiring of minorities, a PUSH spokesman said Saturday.

But the civil rights organization founded by the Rev. Jesse Jackson will continue its boycott of CBS-owned stations in Los Angeles, New York and Philadelphia, PUSH spokesman Walter Perkins said.

The boycott of WBBM, expanded in February to the other CBS-owned stations, was sparked by the demotion of a black anchorman to make room for Bill Kurtis, who returned from a network job.

“We need to reflect the community we serve, on the air and behind the scenes,” said Johnathan Rodgers, who took over as general manager at WBBM in March.

PUSH has claimed credit for the hiring of Rodgers, who is black, as well as for other minority hirings.