Today host Matt Lauer has been fired by NBC after an allegation that he sexually assaulted a colleague, whom his bosses had reason to believe may have been only one of many victims.
NBC News Chair Andy Lack issued a statement to employees reading in its entirety:
Dear Colleagues,Let's just be real clear: If Lauer has indeed sexually harassed and/or assaulted multiple colleagues over 20 years, none of whom have come forward until now, NBC has utterly failed to "create a workplace environment where everyone feels safe and protected." And that isn't going to change by magic. They have a hell of a lot of work to do.
On Monday night, we received a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace by Matt Lauer. It represented, after serious review, a clear violation of our company's standards. As a result, we've decided to terminate his employment. While it is the first complaint about his behavior in the over twenty years he's been at NBC News, we were also presented with reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident.
Our highest priority is to create a workplace environment where everyone feels safe and protected, and to ensure that any actions that run counter to our core values are met with consequences, no matter who the offender.
We are deeply saddened by this turn of events. But we will face it together as a news organization — and do it in as transparent a manner as we can. To that end, Noah and I will be meeting with as many of you as possible throughout the day today to answer your questions.
Andy
That starts with acknowledging their failure to heed any of the many red flags about Lauer's rank misogyny over the years.
My surprise about Matt Lauer is fucking zero, since he was a disgusting lech to Anne Hathaway right on live television. He should have been fired then. Five years ago. https://t.co/WcQjTvaNlb
— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) November 29, 2017
There was also that time he asked General Motors CEO Mary Barra if she thought she could simultaneously run a company and be a good mother. I mean. https://t.co/6C4tP7IwZr
— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) November 29, 2017
And let us once again return to the question of whether misogynistic, objectifying men covering the election made a difference. Anyone else remember Lauer's double standard treatment of Clinton and Trump during the Commander in Chief forum? https://t.co/i2GVtWpCvF
— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) November 29, 2017
Just the tip of an enormous iceberg. Of what we could all see. Because we was doing it right on live television.
Yet we're meant to believe he was subtle and surreptitious about his treatment of women behind the scenes? Somehow I doubt that.
When Lauer's former co-host, Ann Curry, was ousted from Today, there was all sorts of speculation as to why. But I will never forget this quote: "Curry felt that the boys' club atmosphere behind the scenes at Today undermined her from the start, and she told friends that her final months were a form of professional torture."
A form of professional torture.
And Lack purports that this is all a big shock to NBC management. Welp.
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