Zorianna Kit a protective wife? *

LAT investigative reporter Gary Cohn emerges from the Schwarzenegger-groping beat to chip in a piece in today's paper about KTLA entertainment reporter Zorianna Kit grazing up against an ethical line. She has been critical on the air of Brad Grey's appointment to head Paramount Studios (he begins today) without informing listeners that her husband, writer-producer Bo Zenga, "lost a bitter lawsuit he had filed against Grey over profit from the hit film Scary Movie," the Times story says. Kit (bio) also sent email to her former colleagues at the Hollywood Reporter suggesting they be tougher on Grey, the story says. When asked for comment, KTLA stonewalled:

Asked Monday why she did not tell viewers of the litigation, Kit declined to comment, saying company policy prohibited her from talking to the media without permission.

KTLA spokeswoman Carolyn Aguayo referred calls to News Director Jeff Wald. He referred questions back to Aguayo, who said late Monday: "We're not going to comment on what you're working on."

Poynter Institute ethicist Bob Steele, a former TV producer and news director, said: "My sense is that it was inappropriate for her to report on him in any way. This is a profound conflict of interest."

* Tuesday night: Kit does the mea culpa on the air during "News at Ten," mentioning her husband, the Times story and the lawsuit: "I did not make the disclosure of a personal connection during my January 6th report, and I want to make it clear now." Fineman provided the screen grab of her comment tonight.