CBS, PBS cut ties with Charlie Rose
CBS fired Charlie Rose and PBS dropped his long-running interview show Tuesday after an explosive report Monday in The Washington Post detailed years of alleged sexual misconduct against dozens of women.
David Rhodes, president of CBS News, tweeted a statement saying Rose’s termination was effective immediately. He said the move followed the revelation of “extremely disturbing and intolerable behavior” stemming from Rose’s PBS show, Charlie Rose.
Rose was co-host of the network’s morning show, CBS This Morning, and contributed to its long-running and award-winning 60 Minutes.
Despite Rose’s journalistic contributions to CBS News, “there is absolutely nothing more important, in this or any organization, than ensuring a safe, professional workplace,” Rhodes said in the statement.
“I’m deeply disappointed and angry that people were victimized — and that even people not connected with these events could see their hard work under- mined. If all of us commit to the best behavior and the best work — that is what we can be known for.”
PBS then announced it was ending its relationship with Rose and canceling distribution of his show.
“PBS expects all the producers we work with to provide a workplace where people feel safe and are treated with dignity and respect,” said the statement from Jennifer Rankin Byrne, vice president of corporate communications.
It was a swift rejection of Rose, a presence on American TV screens for 45 years. It comes amid a deluge of accusations of sexual misconduct against prominent men — and some severe consequences for the accused, even when the accusations have been denied.
Tuesday’s CBS This Morning began without Rose, who had been suspended Monday after eight women accused the
TV journalist of sexual misconduct.
The broadcast, led by co-hosts Gayle King and Norah O’Donnell, began with the allegations, noting that one of the accusers had corroborated Monday’s Washington Post and Business Insider stories. “Charlie does not get a pass here,” King said, adding she is “still reeling” from the news.
The Post’s story quoted eight women who said Rose, 75, made unwanted sexual advances toward them, including lewd phone calls, walking around naked in their presence or groping them while they worked for him or were interviewing for jobs.
Rose apologized in a statement to The Post: “It is essential that these women know I hear them and that I deeply apologize for my inappropriate behavior. I am greatly embarrassed. I have behaved insensitively at times, and I accept responsibility for that, though I do not believe that all of these allegations are accurate. I always felt that I was pursuing shared feelings, even though I now realize I was mistaken.”