CBS fires Charlie Rose, PBS cuts ties with TV host amid sexual misconduct allegations
CBS (CBS) and PBS severed ties with journalist Charlie Rose Tuesday amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Rose hosted the interview program "Charlie Rose," which aired on PBS and Bloomberg (CME:Index and Options Market: .BCOMEA). He was also a co-host of "CBS This Morning" and a contributing correspondent on CBS' "60 Minutes." CBS News President David Rhodes detailed the decision to fire Rose in an internal memo: "A short time ago we terminated Charlie Rose's employment with CBS News, effective immediately. This followed the revelation yesterday of extremely disturbing and intolerable behavior said to have revolved around his PBS program. Despite Charlie's important journalistic 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. We need to be such a place. I've often heard that things used to be different. And no one may be able to correct the past. But what may once have been accepted should not ever have been acceptable. CBS News has reported on extraordinary revelations at other media companies this year and last. Our credibility in that reporting requires credibility managing basic standards of behavior. That is why we have taken these actions. Let's please remember our obligations to each other as colleagues. We will have human resources support today and every day, and we are organizing more personal and direct training which you will hear about from senior management shortly. 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. If all of us commit to the best behavior and the best work – that is what we can be known for." PBS spokeswoman Jennifer Byrne confirmed later Tuesday that the network had also terminated its relationship with Rose.
"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," Byrne said in a statement. CBS, PBS and Bloomberg originally suspended Rose on Monday after a Washington Post report detailed multiple alleged sexual harassment incidents perpetrated by the journalist. This story is developing. Please check back for updates.
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