Investigation Into Inappropriate Behavior At WNYC/New York Ends With Report Of 'No Evidence Of Pervasive Discrimination'

Report

The investigation ordered by the Board of NEW YORK PUBLIC RADIO's Audit Committee into inappropriate behavior at the company and its News-Talk WNYC-A-F/NEW YORK and WNYC STUDIOS has resulted in a report finding no evidence of "pervasive discrimination" but poor communication and enforcement of anti-harassment policies.  The Board also reiterated its support of President LAURA WALKER.

The report by PROSKAUER ROSE LLP was ordered after the highly publicized departures of WNYC personalities JOHN HOCKENBERRY, LEONARD LOPATE, and JONATHAN SCHWARTZ after allegations of inappropriate behavior against them surfaced.  In the report, the firm found that the communication and enforcement deficiencies led to, according to a statement by the Board, "an environment where employees did not feel obligated or empowered to bring complaints to Human Resources" but that "harassment complaints were investigated when they reached senior management or Human Resources, and that senior management reacted promptly and strongly where violations were found. The investigation also did not find any evidence of retaliation for making such complaints."

In the statement, the Board said, "We take responsibility for what happened, and we are committed to doing better. PROSKAUER made a series of recommendations based on the results of their investigation. The Board fully accepts these recommendations and will work with management to adopt them." 

WALKER said that she accepts responsibility for what happened on her watch and offers "my deep apology to those affected and I commit to doing everything in my power not to let it happen again.... I have carefully read the report, and not only do I accept every one of its recommendations, I can affirm that we have already adopted many and are adding even more."

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