#metoo Claims More Media Men

Grace Tague, Editor in Chief

An anchor on NBC News for 21 years, Matt Lauer, was fired because of inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace. Lauer was added to the growing list – especially in the news, politics, and in Hollywood – of men who were accused of sexual harassment. Lauer was also one of the top searches on Google of 2017.

“Today” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie and host Hoda Kotb broke the news to the world about Lauer on the morning of November 29, 2017. Guthrie and Kotb found out about Lauer’s departure moments before the show began by the memo sent out by NBC News Chairman Andy Lack.

Guthrie and Kotb, along with other “Today” hosts, were very shocked. “I’m heartbroken for Matt. He is my dear, dear friend, my partner, and beloved by many, many people here,” said Guthrie. “And I’m heartbroken for the brave colleague who came forward to tell her story and any other women who have their own stories to tell.”

Ari Wilkenfield, the lawyer for the woman who made the complaint to NBC that resulted in Lauer’s firing, went on the Today show to speak for his client. He said that his client is terrified that her name will be released.

Since Harvey Weinstein, there have been many others in the media who have went down for sexual harassment or misconduct. Charlie Rose, who was also very popular and someone you wouldn’t imagine could be a sexual predator, was accused of sexual harassment by different women.