NYPR CEO Laura Walker Issues Statement on Harassment
Amid allegations of harassment and inappropriate conduct at WNYC, New York Public Radio President and CEO Laura Walker issued the following statement to listeners on Friday:
This fall, the national conversation turned to sexual harassment and abuse in the workplace. While this is a historic moment for the country, it has been a painful time for us at New York Public Radio, as several people have come forward with allegations of inappropriate conduct by members of our own staff.
As an organization dedicated to trust, equity, and justice, we take these allegations very seriously. We have launched an investigation, which we will conduct with the integrity it deserves. As we work to understand what happened, we have placed WNYC hosts Leonard Lopate and Jonathan Schwartz on leave, pending a fair process and thoughtful review. In addition, we have asked independent experts to look into allegations at The Takeaway,and whether our response was appropriate and how our policies and procedures can be improved.
A respectful, inclusive work environment is not a privilege. It’s a fundamental right. And we are committed to ensuring that every single member of our community—from host to intern, guest to listener—feels safe, heard and valued. We will share the results of our investigation as soon as we can. We are grateful for your questions and committed to an open dialogue with the NYPR community.
Laura R. Walker
President & CEO, New York Public Radio
