New York Public Radio Board Meets Amid Harassment Crisis

The Board of Trustees of New York Public Radio meets Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017, for the first time since harassment allegations at the organization became public.

When New York magazine published an expose of John Hockenberry, the former host of The Takeaway, detailing how he made sexual advances on some colleagues and undermined and insulted others, that kicked off a crisis for member-supported WNYC, perhaps the worst one in the 21-year tenure for President and CEO Laura Walker. 

Walker has said she takes full responsibility for what happened at The Takeaway, and has apologized to the women Hockenberry harassed and belittled. The former host said in an earlier statement, "My behavior was not always appropriate and I’m sorry."

Days later, longtime hosts Leonard Lopate and Jonathan Schwartz were suspended, over "accusations of inappropriate conduct," pending an investigation. Lopate told WNYC News, “I have not done anything that I know of that could have led to this situation.” Schwartz has declined to comment.

In response to the suspensions, bewildered listeners have flooded WNYC’s website with comments, looking for a fuller explanation.

Today, Walker will present her plan to restore trust with listeners and supporters to the organization's 39-member board of trustees. The plan includes:

•  Hiring Howard Z. Robbins, an attorney with Proskauer Rose, to re-evaluate human resources policies and procedures.

•  Exploring the hiring of an ombudsman at the station.

•  Hiring a consultant to examine the representation of women and people of color in decision-making roles.

•  Creating an employee steering group to examine the organization's culture.

•  Reviewing the policies regarding temporary and daily workers.

Portions of the board meeting are open to the public. It will take place from 4 to 6 pm at the Hilton Hotel, 1335 6th Ave, in Manhattan. After the meeting, members of the public will have the opportunity to speak with board members.