CBS News and PBS fired Charlie Rose on Tuesday after eight women accused the veteran journalist of sexual misconduct.
"Despite
Charlie's important journalist contribution to our news division, there
is absolutely nothing more important, in this or any organization, than
ensuring a safe, professional workplace-a supportive environment where
people feel they can do their best work," said CBS News President David
Rhodes in a memo.
"We need to be such a place," he added. "I'm
deeply disappointed and angry that people were victimized-and that even
people not connected with these events could see their hard work
undermined."
PBS fired Rose not long after CBS News announced its decision to terminate the newsman.
"In
light of yesterday's revelations, PBS has terminated its relationship
with Charlie Rose and cancelled distribution of his programs. PBS
expects all the producers we work with to provide a workplace where
people feel safe and are treated with dignity and respect," PBS said in a
statement.
The firings come after eight women accused Rose of sexual misconduct in a report published Monday by The Washington Post.
Rose,
who co-hosted "CBS This Morning," was accused of making unwanted sexual
advances ranging from making lewd suggestions during phone calls to
walking naked in front of female employees to groping their breasts or
genital areas, according to the report.
The accusations, which
centered around behavior at Rose's PBS program, "Charlie Rose,"
date from the late 1990s to as recently as 2011.
Rose
acknowledged Monday in a statement that he had "behaved insensitively"
at times, but said that some of the allegations were not accurate.
"It
is essential that these women know I hear them and that I deeply
apologize for my inappropriate behavior. I am greatly embarrassed. I
have behaved insensitively at times, and I accept responsibility for
that, though I do not believe that all of these allegations are
accurate. I always felt that I was pursuing shared feelings, even though
I now realize I was mistaken," Rose said in a statement to the Post.
Rose's CBS co-hosts addressed the controversy on-air Tuesday morning.
"This
is a moment that demands a frank and honest assessment about where we
stand, and more generally, the safety of women," "CBS This Morning"
co-host Norah O'Donnell said.
"Let me be very clear: There is no excuse for this alleged behavior. It is systematic and pervasive."
PBS
announced Monday it would suspend distribution of Rose's program while
it looked into the allegations against the 75-year-old host.
"PBS
was shocked to learn today of these deeply disturbing allegations. We
are immediately suspending distribution of 'Charlie Rose,'" a PBS
spokesman said in a statement Monday.
"'Charlie Rose' is produced
by Charlie Rose, Inc., an independent television production company. PBS
does not fund this nightly program or supervise its production, but we
expect our producers to provide a workplace where people feel safe and
are treated with dignity and respect," the spokesman added.
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