Tom Brokaw, the anchor who rose from an early stint at a station in Sioux City, Iowa to anchor three of the nation’s best-known TV-news programs – “Today,” “NBC Nightly News” and, for a short time, “Meet the Press,” is set to step down formally from NBC News, where he has worked since 1966.
Brokaw’s time on air has dwindled in recent years, while he has served as a special correspondent for the NBCUniversal-owned outlet, and also battled with cancer. He turned 80 in February.
“During one of the most complex and consequential eras in American history, a new generation of NBC News journalists, producers and technicians is providing America with timely, insightful and critically important information, 24/7. I could not be more proud of them,” said Brokaw, in a prepared statement. His longest tenure was at “NBC Nightly News,” which he led between 1982 and 2004.
He is attached to an era...
Brokaw’s time on air has dwindled in recent years, while he has served as a special correspondent for the NBCUniversal-owned outlet, and also battled with cancer. He turned 80 in February.
“During one of the most complex and consequential eras in American history, a new generation of NBC News journalists, producers and technicians is providing America with timely, insightful and critically important information, 24/7. I could not be more proud of them,” said Brokaw, in a prepared statement. His longest tenure was at “NBC Nightly News,” which he led between 1982 and 2004.
He is attached to an era...
- 1/22/2021
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Tom Brokaw, the veteran journalist who anchored “NBC Nightly News” from 1982 to 2004, announced on Friday that he is retiring from the network after a 55-year run.
“During one of the most complex and consequential eras in American history, a new generation of NBC News journalists, producers and technicians is providing America with timely, insightful and critically important information, 24/7. I could not be more proud of them,” Brokaw said in a statement.
Some of Brokaw’s most notable broadcast moments include his 1987 interview with Mikhail Gorbachev, which was the Russian leader’s first one-on-one sit-down with an American journalist. In 1989, Brokaw was also the first American journalist to report on the fall of the Berlin Wall from Berlin, which earned him the Order of Merit from the German government.
Brokaw began his career at NBC News in Los Angeles, where his coverage included Ronald Reagan’s first run for office and...
“During one of the most complex and consequential eras in American history, a new generation of NBC News journalists, producers and technicians is providing America with timely, insightful and critically important information, 24/7. I could not be more proud of them,” Brokaw said in a statement.
Some of Brokaw’s most notable broadcast moments include his 1987 interview with Mikhail Gorbachev, which was the Russian leader’s first one-on-one sit-down with an American journalist. In 1989, Brokaw was also the first American journalist to report on the fall of the Berlin Wall from Berlin, which earned him the Order of Merit from the German government.
Brokaw began his career at NBC News in Los Angeles, where his coverage included Ronald Reagan’s first run for office and...
- 1/22/2021
- by J. Clara Chan
- The Wrap
Tom Brokaw will retire from NBC News after 55 years with the network.
He made the announcement in a statement on Friday.
“During one of the most complex and consequential eras in American history, a new generation of NBC News journalists, producers and technicians is providing America with timely, insightful and critically important information, 24/7. I could not be more proud of them,” he said in a statement.
Brokaw, 80, was the anchor of NBC Nightly News from 1982-2004. Since then, he has been a part of NBC News’ special event coverage, serving a special correspondent and often providing commentary and analysis from an historic perspective. His 2001 book The Greatest Generation put the spotlight on the sacrifice of a generation of Americans through the Great Depression and World War II. The book’s title is now commonly used to refer to WWII veterans and their families.
Brokaw will continue to be active in print journalism and write books,...
He made the announcement in a statement on Friday.
“During one of the most complex and consequential eras in American history, a new generation of NBC News journalists, producers and technicians is providing America with timely, insightful and critically important information, 24/7. I could not be more proud of them,” he said in a statement.
Brokaw, 80, was the anchor of NBC Nightly News from 1982-2004. Since then, he has been a part of NBC News’ special event coverage, serving a special correspondent and often providing commentary and analysis from an historic perspective. His 2001 book The Greatest Generation put the spotlight on the sacrifice of a generation of Americans through the Great Depression and World War II. The book’s title is now commonly used to refer to WWII veterans and their families.
Brokaw will continue to be active in print journalism and write books,...
- 1/22/2021
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
New York Attorney General Investigated NBC News, Per Reports; Network Says It’s Not Aware Of Inquiry
An NBCUniversal spokesperson said the company is not aware of any inquiry by the New York’s attorney general into allegations of sexual harassment, retaliation and gender discrimination.
The Daily Mail and Variety reported on an investigation on Tuesday, one day after it was announced that Andrew Lack, chairman of NBC News and MSNBC, would be departing the network at the end of the month.
Former NBC News anchor Linda Vester told the Daily Mail that she was one of the women who was interviewed as part of the investigation, and she said they wanted to know about any involvement that Lack had in claims of retaliation. In 2018, Vester accused NBC News stalwart Tom Brokaw of making unwanted sexual advances, something that he denied.
Variety spoke to three women, including Vester, who say they were questioned by the office, and it reported that a number of others also were interviewed.
The Daily Mail and Variety reported on an investigation on Tuesday, one day after it was announced that Andrew Lack, chairman of NBC News and MSNBC, would be departing the network at the end of the month.
Former NBC News anchor Linda Vester told the Daily Mail that she was one of the women who was interviewed as part of the investigation, and she said they wanted to know about any involvement that Lack had in claims of retaliation. In 2018, Vester accused NBC News stalwart Tom Brokaw of making unwanted sexual advances, something that he denied.
Variety spoke to three women, including Vester, who say they were questioned by the office, and it reported that a number of others also were interviewed.
- 5/5/2020
- by The Deadline Team
- Deadline Film + TV
The New York attorney general’s office late last year launched an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment, retaliation and gender discrimination at NBC News, Variety has learned. NBC News chief Andrew Lack and former “Hardball” host Chris Matthews were among multiple high-ranking executives and newsroom talents whose behavior was the subject of questioning, according to multiple sources.
Among those who cooperated with the investigation by providing testimony was Megyn Kelly, an individual close to the former “Today” host told Variety. Kelly declined to comment.
News of the investigation followed the surprise announcement Monday that Lack would depart the company months ahead of a planned retirement.
Variety has spoken directly to three women who were interviewed by the New York attorney general’s office, and has knowledge of three additional people who were brought in for questioning. Well-placed sources who were present for questioning at the attorney general’s office...
Among those who cooperated with the investigation by providing testimony was Megyn Kelly, an individual close to the former “Today” host told Variety. Kelly declined to comment.
News of the investigation followed the surprise announcement Monday that Lack would depart the company months ahead of a planned retirement.
Variety has spoken directly to three women who were interviewed by the New York attorney general’s office, and has knowledge of three additional people who were brought in for questioning. Well-placed sources who were present for questioning at the attorney general’s office...
- 5/5/2020
- by Elizabeth Wagmeister
- Variety Film + TV
Harvey Weinstein once waltzed into every room in Hollywood as the king of the movie business. Now, he’s shuffling into New York City criminal court with a walker, facing life in prison for five sex crimes charges, including rape.
Looking back at Hollywood history, has there ever been a case quite like this?
Weinstein’s trial stands on its own, according to veteran journalist Ken Auletta, who first profiled the fallen movie mogul nearly two decades ago.
“If you go back in movie history there are untold examples of abusive behavior by studio heads — the casting couch, which is the phrase that Harvey used — and there was a casting couch, and young starlets succumbed, in exchange for roles in movies,” Auletta said. “But very rare was the incidents of these studio heads actually raping a woman and doing some of the things that Harvey Weinstein is accused of doing.
Looking back at Hollywood history, has there ever been a case quite like this?
Weinstein’s trial stands on its own, according to veteran journalist Ken Auletta, who first profiled the fallen movie mogul nearly two decades ago.
“If you go back in movie history there are untold examples of abusive behavior by studio heads — the casting couch, which is the phrase that Harvey used — and there was a casting couch, and young starlets succumbed, in exchange for roles in movies,” Auletta said. “But very rare was the incidents of these studio heads actually raping a woman and doing some of the things that Harvey Weinstein is accused of doing.
- 1/14/2020
- by Elizabeth Wagmeister
- Variety Film + TV
Tina Tchen, incoming president and CEO of Time’s Up, has put out a statement calling on NBCUniversal to release its employees from their NDAs and “unequivocally” allow them to “speak without any fear of retaliation.”
The statement comes after Rachel Maddow announced on her show Friday evening that NBCUniversal will release former employees from their non-disparagement agreements if they first contact NBC Legal.
“There is no reason to place the burden on those who choose to speak to reveal themselves in advance to NBCUniversal,” Tchen wrote in the statement, posted to Twitter. “This is an example of the burdens that perpetuate fear and silence, no matter what new policies and trainings may say.”
She called for NBCUniversal to hire outside investigators to look into its workplace culture and journalistic decisions, adding that “workplace harassment remains hidden not just by direct retaliation, but also when there is a fear that anyone...
The statement comes after Rachel Maddow announced on her show Friday evening that NBCUniversal will release former employees from their non-disparagement agreements if they first contact NBC Legal.
“There is no reason to place the burden on those who choose to speak to reveal themselves in advance to NBCUniversal,” Tchen wrote in the statement, posted to Twitter. “This is an example of the burdens that perpetuate fear and silence, no matter what new policies and trainings may say.”
She called for NBCUniversal to hire outside investigators to look into its workplace culture and journalistic decisions, adding that “workplace harassment remains hidden not just by direct retaliation, but also when there is a fear that anyone...
- 10/26/2019
- by Erin Nyren
- Variety Film + TV
Following MSNBC host Rachel Maddow's criticism of NBC in regard to how they handled Ronan Farrow's reporting on Harvey Weinstein and ultimately let the story get away — which Farrow reveals in his new book Catch and Kill — the network has been hit with another assessment of their current practices.
Linda Vester, a former NBC News employee who accused Nightly News journalist Tom Brokaw of sexual harassment in 2018, on Saturday issued her own statement criticizing the way NBC deals with Nda agreements.
In her statement, written via her foundation Silence Breakers Alliance and obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, Vester referenced what ...
Linda Vester, a former NBC News employee who accused Nightly News journalist Tom Brokaw of sexual harassment in 2018, on Saturday issued her own statement criticizing the way NBC deals with Nda agreements.
In her statement, written via her foundation Silence Breakers Alliance and obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, Vester referenced what ...
- 10/26/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
NBCUniversal said Friday night it would release former NBC News staffers who believe they were sexually harassed from confidentiality and non-disparagement arrangements, a sign that the company continues to grapple with allegations made against it in the recent Ronan Farrow book, “Catch and Kill.”
“Any former NBC News employee who believes that they cannot disclose their experience with sexual harassment as a result of a confidentiality or non-disparagement provision in their separation agreement should contact NBCUniversal and we will release them from that perceived obligation,” the company said in a statement that was made during a broadcast of Friday’s “The Rachel Maddow Show” on MSNBC. Maddow was hosting a segment with Farrow at the time.
The new statement suggests allegations in Farrow’s book continue to eat away at NBCUniversal. The book’s claims that NBC News held him back from reporting on sexual harassment allegations made against movie...
“Any former NBC News employee who believes that they cannot disclose their experience with sexual harassment as a result of a confidentiality or non-disparagement provision in their separation agreement should contact NBCUniversal and we will release them from that perceived obligation,” the company said in a statement that was made during a broadcast of Friday’s “The Rachel Maddow Show” on MSNBC. Maddow was hosting a segment with Farrow at the time.
The new statement suggests allegations in Farrow’s book continue to eat away at NBCUniversal. The book’s claims that NBC News held him back from reporting on sexual harassment allegations made against movie...
- 10/26/2019
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
An all-star collection of news anchors is now awaiting a response from NBCUniversal parent Comcast to its demand for an outside investigation into NBC News.
Megyn Kelly, Gretchen Carlson, Greta Van Susteren, Linda Vester, Addie Zinone and Eleanor McManus, the founder of MeToo journalist organization Press Forward, have sent a letter to Comcast asking for an external investigation of NBC News. The letter is in response to recent revelations in the Ronan Farrow book Catch and Kill, which painted a sordid picture of sexual harassment at the news division.
Comcast has yet to respond publicly to the letter, which was sent Thursday night and addressed to Comcast CEO/chairman Brian Roberts and the company board of directors.
NBC News has denied knowing about allegations revolving around former Today Show host Matt Lauer and others who allegedly covered up his activities while under NBC News employ. Chief among the allegations was...
Megyn Kelly, Gretchen Carlson, Greta Van Susteren, Linda Vester, Addie Zinone and Eleanor McManus, the founder of MeToo journalist organization Press Forward, have sent a letter to Comcast asking for an external investigation of NBC News. The letter is in response to recent revelations in the Ronan Farrow book Catch and Kill, which painted a sordid picture of sexual harassment at the news division.
Comcast has yet to respond publicly to the letter, which was sent Thursday night and addressed to Comcast CEO/chairman Brian Roberts and the company board of directors.
NBC News has denied knowing about allegations revolving around former Today Show host Matt Lauer and others who allegedly covered up his activities while under NBC News employ. Chief among the allegations was...
- 10/19/2019
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
A group of prominent women, all at the forefront of the Me Too movement, wrote a letter to Comcast, the parent company of NBCUniversal, urging an external investigation of NBC News.
Megyn Kelly, Gretchen Carlson, Greta Van Susteren, Linda Vester, Addie Zinone and Eleanor McManus, the founder of Press Forward, have all signed the letter addressed to Comcast chairman and CEO Brian Roberts and the company’s board of directors. Press Forward is an organization launched by journalists in the wake of the Me Too movement in 2017 to stop sexual harassment and create safer environments for women in newsrooms.
Since Matt Lauer’s firing, multiple news organizations, including Variety, have broken news about NBC News, which has denied having prior knowledge of Lauer’s misconduct before his swift termination in November 2017. Following the release of Ronan Farrow’s book, “Catch and Kill,” which revealed an on-the-record rape allegation from former NBC News employee Brooke Nevils,...
Megyn Kelly, Gretchen Carlson, Greta Van Susteren, Linda Vester, Addie Zinone and Eleanor McManus, the founder of Press Forward, have all signed the letter addressed to Comcast chairman and CEO Brian Roberts and the company’s board of directors. Press Forward is an organization launched by journalists in the wake of the Me Too movement in 2017 to stop sexual harassment and create safer environments for women in newsrooms.
Since Matt Lauer’s firing, multiple news organizations, including Variety, have broken news about NBC News, which has denied having prior knowledge of Lauer’s misconduct before his swift termination in November 2017. Following the release of Ronan Farrow’s book, “Catch and Kill,” which revealed an on-the-record rape allegation from former NBC News employee Brooke Nevils,...
- 10/18/2019
- by Elizabeth Wagmeister
- Variety Film + TV
Megyn Kelly, Gretchen Carlson, Greta Van Susteren and other leading women in TV news called on Comcast CEO Brian Roberts and the board of directors to launch an independent investigation of sexual harassment issues at NBC News.
“As the parent company of NBC Universal, we appeal to you to overturn the network’s refusal on Thursday to conduct an independent investigation of sexual misconduct and coverups at NBC News,” the newswomen said in a letter, which was obtained by TheWrap.
Also Read: NBC News' Critics Step Up Pressure to Investigate Andy Lack and Noah Oppenheim
The call for an investigation comes after the publication of a new book by Ronan Farrow that raises questions about NBC News’ handling of accusations against Matt Lauer and its handling of his reporting on Harvey Weinstein when he himself was at NBC.
In her first television interview since her own departure from NBC News,...
“As the parent company of NBC Universal, we appeal to you to overturn the network’s refusal on Thursday to conduct an independent investigation of sexual misconduct and coverups at NBC News,” the newswomen said in a letter, which was obtained by TheWrap.
Also Read: NBC News' Critics Step Up Pressure to Investigate Andy Lack and Noah Oppenheim
The call for an investigation comes after the publication of a new book by Ronan Farrow that raises questions about NBC News’ handling of accusations against Matt Lauer and its handling of his reporting on Harvey Weinstein when he himself was at NBC.
In her first television interview since her own departure from NBC News,...
- 10/18/2019
- by Lindsey Ellefson
- The Wrap
NBCUniversal will not be conducting an additional, outside investigation into the accusations of sexual misconduct against Matt Lauer, a network spokesperson told THR Thursday.
“We fired Matt Lauer within 24 hours of learning what he did, and promptly launched a corporate investigation. Based on our investigative findings, we have swiftly taken appropriate actions to address the situation and improve workplace culture,” Hilary Smith told The Hollywood Reporter. “There is no additional investigation being conducted. We are very confident in the report that was conducted.”
In 2017 NBC conducted an internal investigation into the accusations of sexual misconduct against Lauer, who denied one accusation that he raped a former colleague but broadly apologized for “the pain I have caused.” Led by NBCUniversal’s general counsel Kim Harris, the final report from the investigation stated that the network “found no evidence indicating that any NBC News or Today Show leadership, News Hr, or others...
“We fired Matt Lauer within 24 hours of learning what he did, and promptly launched a corporate investigation. Based on our investigative findings, we have swiftly taken appropriate actions to address the situation and improve workplace culture,” Hilary Smith told The Hollywood Reporter. “There is no additional investigation being conducted. We are very confident in the report that was conducted.”
In 2017 NBC conducted an internal investigation into the accusations of sexual misconduct against Lauer, who denied one accusation that he raped a former colleague but broadly apologized for “the pain I have caused.” Led by NBCUniversal’s general counsel Kim Harris, the final report from the investigation stated that the network “found no evidence indicating that any NBC News or Today Show leadership, News Hr, or others...
- 10/17/2019
- by J. Clara Chan
- The Wrap
Ronan Farrow responded to Matt Lauer’s letter in defense of rape accusations, for the first time, on Tuesday night at the very first stop for his “Catch and Kill” book tour.
“I think the most compelling response is Brooke Nevils’ and her own letter that she published afterwords,” Farrow said, when asked to comment on Lauer’s open letter in which he aggressively denied a rape allegation by the former NBC News employee last week. In Nevils’ response, she slammed the former newsman for “victim blaming,” stating, “the shame in this story belongs to him.”
At the Tuesday night event, Farrow said, “I think that while I’m a reporter and not an activist, and I’m not going to talk about personal feelings of Matt Lauer’s PR, and I’ll deal with the facts, I understand the rational basis for Brooke Nevils saying that this is a shameless and menacing tone.
“I think the most compelling response is Brooke Nevils’ and her own letter that she published afterwords,” Farrow said, when asked to comment on Lauer’s open letter in which he aggressively denied a rape allegation by the former NBC News employee last week. In Nevils’ response, she slammed the former newsman for “victim blaming,” stating, “the shame in this story belongs to him.”
At the Tuesday night event, Farrow said, “I think that while I’m a reporter and not an activist, and I’m not going to talk about personal feelings of Matt Lauer’s PR, and I’ll deal with the facts, I understand the rational basis for Brooke Nevils saying that this is a shameless and menacing tone.
- 10/16/2019
- by Elizabeth Wagmeister
- Variety Film + TV
Linda Vester, a former NBC News reporter who accused network icon Tom Brokaw of sexual harassment, renewed her call for an independent investigation into misconduct claims at her former network and urged NBC’s parent company, Comcast, to bring in outside counsel to manage it.
“Comcast should hire outside counsel to conduct a transparent inquiry, with all current and former employees able to speak freely,” said Vester in an editorial published to Fox News Wednesday evening. “Investigators should be allowed access to all relevant documents and Comcast should publish in full what they find.”
Vester additionally called for those investigators to be given full access to people and documents within the company and for the findings to be made public. She added that the company should also do away with non-disclosure agreements and forced arbitration for sexual misconduct cases.
Also Read: Tom Brokaw Says He's 'Angry' Over Sexual Misconduct Accusations:...
“Comcast should hire outside counsel to conduct a transparent inquiry, with all current and former employees able to speak freely,” said Vester in an editorial published to Fox News Wednesday evening. “Investigators should be allowed access to all relevant documents and Comcast should publish in full what they find.”
Vester additionally called for those investigators to be given full access to people and documents within the company and for the findings to be made public. She added that the company should also do away with non-disclosure agreements and forced arbitration for sexual misconduct cases.
Also Read: Tom Brokaw Says He's 'Angry' Over Sexual Misconduct Accusations:...
- 11/29/2018
- by Jon Levine
- The Wrap
Updated with comment from Comcast
Linda Vester, a former NBC News correspondent who accused Tom Brokaw of sexual assault earlier this year, is calling on the Comcast board of directors to do a thorough investigation of harassment at NBC.
Vester took out an ad in Thursday’s New York Times, calling on the board to end non-disclosure agreements and forced arbitration in sexual harassment cases. Thursday is the one-year anniversary of Matt Lauer’s firing from “Today” for sexual misconduct.
“The women who speak to me say the climate of fear is worse than ever, the silencing is worse than ever,” Vester told Variety on Wednesday. “NBC News management should not be allowed to get away with this any further.”
NBC conducted an internal probe in the wake of the firing, which found that senior executives were unaware of any complaints about Lauer. Critics blasted the investigation because it was conducted in-house,...
Linda Vester, a former NBC News correspondent who accused Tom Brokaw of sexual assault earlier this year, is calling on the Comcast board of directors to do a thorough investigation of harassment at NBC.
Vester took out an ad in Thursday’s New York Times, calling on the board to end non-disclosure agreements and forced arbitration in sexual harassment cases. Thursday is the one-year anniversary of Matt Lauer’s firing from “Today” for sexual misconduct.
“The women who speak to me say the climate of fear is worse than ever, the silencing is worse than ever,” Vester told Variety on Wednesday. “NBC News management should not be allowed to get away with this any further.”
NBC conducted an internal probe in the wake of the firing, which found that senior executives were unaware of any complaints about Lauer. Critics blasted the investigation because it was conducted in-house,...
- 11/29/2018
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
NBC News was in October of 2017 where most news outlets want to be: sitting on a juicy scoop. Now its decision to let journalist Ronan Farrow take that exclusive to a rival has developed into a tremendous pain in the rear – and one that isn’t likely to subside.
New scrutiny of the situation sparked last night after Rich McHugh, NBC News’ former supervising producer of investigative reporting, accused top NBC News executives in an interview with The New York Times of trying to block him and Farrow from reporting on sexual harassment allegations against Harvey Weinstein. Farrow’s work was eventually printed in The New Yorker and awarded a Pulitzer. NBC News faced similar opprobrium in the fall of 2016 when it was scooped by The Washington Post on the existence of a tape from “Access Hollywood” — a show that is part of its parent, NBCUniversal – featuring a younger Donald...
New scrutiny of the situation sparked last night after Rich McHugh, NBC News’ former supervising producer of investigative reporting, accused top NBC News executives in an interview with The New York Times of trying to block him and Farrow from reporting on sexual harassment allegations against Harvey Weinstein. Farrow’s work was eventually printed in The New Yorker and awarded a Pulitzer. NBC News faced similar opprobrium in the fall of 2016 when it was scooped by The Washington Post on the existence of a tape from “Access Hollywood” — a show that is part of its parent, NBCUniversal – featuring a younger Donald...
- 8/31/2018
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
NBC News generates dozens of news items each day, but there’s one story that the NBCUniversal unit simply can’t bring to an end.
NBC News’ handling of allegations of sexual harassment against powerful men is once again under scrutiny after Rich McHugh, the unit’s former supervising producer of investigative reporting lambasted top management for failing to follow through on a credible probe of accusations levied against Harvey Weinstein. NBC News faced similar opprobrium in the fall of 2016 when it was scooped by The Washington Post on the existence of a tape from “Access Hollywood” – a show that is part of NBCUniversal – that depicted a younger Donald Trump making lewd remarks about women and acknowledging he would grab them by their genitals.
“Is there anyone in the journalistic community who actually believes NBC didn’t breach its journalistic duty to continue reporting this story? Something else must have been going on,...
NBC News’ handling of allegations of sexual harassment against powerful men is once again under scrutiny after Rich McHugh, the unit’s former supervising producer of investigative reporting lambasted top management for failing to follow through on a credible probe of accusations levied against Harvey Weinstein. NBC News faced similar opprobrium in the fall of 2016 when it was scooped by The Washington Post on the existence of a tape from “Access Hollywood” – a show that is part of NBCUniversal – that depicted a younger Donald Trump making lewd remarks about women and acknowledging he would grab them by their genitals.
“Is there anyone in the journalistic community who actually believes NBC didn’t breach its journalistic duty to continue reporting this story? Something else must have been going on,...
- 8/31/2018
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Linda Vester says she has no interest in speaking to NBCUniversal about her accusations against Tom Brokaw unless the company hires outside counsel to investigate its longtime anchor — apparently not thinking too much of the company’s NBC internal probe of Matt Lauer, results of which were released this week.
NBCU tells Deadline that it “has reached out to Ms. Vester via her attorney to discuss her allegations, and so far she has not accepted our offer.”
Vester has, however, given a detailed account of her claims to the Washington Post and Variety. And, Thursday morning, on ABC’s Good Morning America.
Vester says she is “not interested in a lawsuit” but intends to keep making her claims “because I want to try to help others” and “help continue this movement.”
In reports published late last month in WaPo and in our sister pub Variety, Vester claimed that Brokaw twice...
NBCU tells Deadline that it “has reached out to Ms. Vester via her attorney to discuss her allegations, and so far she has not accepted our offer.”
Vester has, however, given a detailed account of her claims to the Washington Post and Variety. And, Thursday morning, on ABC’s Good Morning America.
Vester says she is “not interested in a lawsuit” but intends to keep making her claims “because I want to try to help others” and “help continue this movement.”
In reports published late last month in WaPo and in our sister pub Variety, Vester claimed that Brokaw twice...
- 5/10/2018
- by Lisa de Moraes
- Deadline Film + TV
NBC has offered to look into sexual harassment and assault allegations against Tom Brokaw by former NBC correspondent Linda Vester. But Vester has declined the request at this point, because the network wouldn’t bring in outside counsel to run the investigation.
“We will not be participating in any investigation by NBC of NBC,” Ari Wilkenfeld, Vester’s attorney, told Variety. He added that he informed the news organization that his client would be “more than willing” to participate if there was an investigation commissioned by outside counsel.
Wilkenfeld says he has not heard back yet from NBC about his request.
“NBCUniversal has reached out to Ms. Vester via her attorney to discuss her allegations, and so far she has not accepted our offer,” a spokesperson for NBCUniversal said in a statement to Variety.
After “Today” anchor Matt Lauer was fired last November over a series of sexual misconduct allegations,...
“We will not be participating in any investigation by NBC of NBC,” Ari Wilkenfeld, Vester’s attorney, told Variety. He added that he informed the news organization that his client would be “more than willing” to participate if there was an investigation commissioned by outside counsel.
Wilkenfeld says he has not heard back yet from NBC about his request.
“NBCUniversal has reached out to Ms. Vester via her attorney to discuss her allegations, and so far she has not accepted our offer,” a spokesperson for NBCUniversal said in a statement to Variety.
After “Today” anchor Matt Lauer was fired last November over a series of sexual misconduct allegations,...
- 5/10/2018
- by Elizabeth Wagmeister
- Variety Film + TV
Linda Vester spoke about her accusations of sexual misconduct against NBC News icon Tom Brokaw, telling the set of “Good Morning America” Thursday that not all harassers look like disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.
“Some people might be tempted to believe all harassers look and act like Harvey Weinstein,” Vester told anchor George Stephanopoulos. “It’s not true.”
“Some of them look like cultural icons, like Tom Brokaw,” Vester continued. “And they can be decent during the day to a lot of people, and actually be really kind a lot of the time, and yet still have hidden behavior.”
Also Read: NBC Shares Findings From Matt Lauer Sexual Harassment Investigation
The former NBC and Fox News journalist said she had no interest in speaking with reps for NBC News until they agreed to launch an outside investigation into her accusations.
“As soon as NBC News or NBC Universal hires outside counsel to do a proper thorough investigation, I would be glad to sit down with them,” she said. “I think it’s common sense. You can’t investigate yourself. You can’t. You just can’t. There’e an internal bias. That’s just how it works.”
Vester’s appearance is the second in a one-two broadside against the network in the wake of their internal investigation into Matt Lauer. On Wednesday, Vester blasted her former employer in an Op-Ed for the Washington Post, urging them to stop fighting against the MeToo movement.
“I want NBC to stop fighting #MeToo within its own walls. I ask NBC Universal to retain an outside investigator to look into sexual harassment and any coverup of sexual harassment at NBC News,” she wrote. “People in power at NBC News, and all institutions, must take such accusations seriously.”
NBC’s internal investigation received backlash online Wednesday amid accusations that it had been less that thorough. In a statement to TheWrap the company defended their findings.
“Two outside law firms, Proskauer Rose and Davis Polk have reviewed the methodology, findings and conclusions and given their stamp of approval,” said an NBC News spokesperson.
Read original story Tom Brokaw Accuser: Not All Sexual Harassers ‘Look and Act Like Harvey Weinstein’ (Video) At TheWrap...
“Some people might be tempted to believe all harassers look and act like Harvey Weinstein,” Vester told anchor George Stephanopoulos. “It’s not true.”
“Some of them look like cultural icons, like Tom Brokaw,” Vester continued. “And they can be decent during the day to a lot of people, and actually be really kind a lot of the time, and yet still have hidden behavior.”
Also Read: NBC Shares Findings From Matt Lauer Sexual Harassment Investigation
The former NBC and Fox News journalist said she had no interest in speaking with reps for NBC News until they agreed to launch an outside investigation into her accusations.
“As soon as NBC News or NBC Universal hires outside counsel to do a proper thorough investigation, I would be glad to sit down with them,” she said. “I think it’s common sense. You can’t investigate yourself. You can’t. You just can’t. There’e an internal bias. That’s just how it works.”
Vester’s appearance is the second in a one-two broadside against the network in the wake of their internal investigation into Matt Lauer. On Wednesday, Vester blasted her former employer in an Op-Ed for the Washington Post, urging them to stop fighting against the MeToo movement.
“I want NBC to stop fighting #MeToo within its own walls. I ask NBC Universal to retain an outside investigator to look into sexual harassment and any coverup of sexual harassment at NBC News,” she wrote. “People in power at NBC News, and all institutions, must take such accusations seriously.”
NBC’s internal investigation received backlash online Wednesday amid accusations that it had been less that thorough. In a statement to TheWrap the company defended their findings.
“Two outside law firms, Proskauer Rose and Davis Polk have reviewed the methodology, findings and conclusions and given their stamp of approval,” said an NBC News spokesperson.
Read original story Tom Brokaw Accuser: Not All Sexual Harassers ‘Look and Act Like Harvey Weinstein’ (Video) At TheWrap...
- 5/10/2018
- by Jon Levine
- The Wrap
Several women’s advocacy groups on Wednesday criticized NBC News’ handling of its investigation into the Matt Lauer sexual harassment scandal and whether senior managers were aware of allegations about the star “Today” anchor.
NBC News’ internal investigation on Matt Lauer found that executives at “Today” and elsewhere at NBC News had no knowledge of inappropriate behavior by before last November, when an NBC News staffer came forward with a complaint.
Press Forward, an initiative to stop sexual harassment and assault in newsrooms, released a statement urging NBCUniversal to commission an independent investigation by an outside entity — a step that has also been called for by other activists galvanized by the #MeToo movement.
“To truly assess culture and get honest responses from employees, we recommend hiring an independent third party, as is common practice,” Press Forward co-founder Eleanor McManus said. “No one is going to be fully candid when speaking...
NBC News’ internal investigation on Matt Lauer found that executives at “Today” and elsewhere at NBC News had no knowledge of inappropriate behavior by before last November, when an NBC News staffer came forward with a complaint.
Press Forward, an initiative to stop sexual harassment and assault in newsrooms, released a statement urging NBCUniversal to commission an independent investigation by an outside entity — a step that has also been called for by other activists galvanized by the #MeToo movement.
“To truly assess culture and get honest responses from employees, we recommend hiring an independent third party, as is common practice,” Press Forward co-founder Eleanor McManus said. “No one is going to be fully candid when speaking...
- 5/9/2018
- by Kirsten Chuba
- Variety Film + TV
Linda Vester, the former NBC correspondent who recently accused Tom Brokaw of making unwanted advances and acting inappropriately during their time working together in the 1990s, penned a column for <em><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/why-i-revealed-that-tom-brokaw-harassed-me/2018/05/09/748f3222-530b-11e8-abd8-265bd07a9859_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.f379b830b8d2" target="_blank">The Washington Post</a>, </em>published Wednesday, to explain why she came forward in the first place.
"I am not filing a lawsuit; I am not asking NBC or Brokaw for money," Vester wrote. "I came forward for a simple reason: to let the public know that otherwise good men — men who treat women well or are even their champions — can also commit acts of sexual harassment."...
"I am not filing a lawsuit; I am not asking NBC or Brokaw for money," Vester wrote. "I came forward for a simple reason: to let the public know that otherwise good men — men who treat women well or are even their champions — can also commit acts of sexual harassment."...
NBC says it found no evidence indicating “that any NBC News or Today Show leadership, News Hr or others in positions of authority in the News Division received any complaints about [Matt] Lauer’s workplace behavior prior to November 27, 2017.”
The network this morning released results of its months-long internal probe into the division and its culture after the stunning firing of its biggest star and Today show co-host Matt Lauer last fall.
If you guessed the internal probe would say “it does not believe that there is a current widespread or systemic pattern of behavior that violates Company policy or a current culture of harassment in the News Division,” you are correct. (You can read the complete report here).
Investigators did at least find credible the four allegations already much-written about in the press: that Lauer engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace. But investigators also found credible that NBC...
The network this morning released results of its months-long internal probe into the division and its culture after the stunning firing of its biggest star and Today show co-host Matt Lauer last fall.
If you guessed the internal probe would say “it does not believe that there is a current widespread or systemic pattern of behavior that violates Company policy or a current culture of harassment in the News Division,” you are correct. (You can read the complete report here).
Investigators did at least find credible the four allegations already much-written about in the press: that Lauer engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace. But investigators also found credible that NBC...
- 5/9/2018
- by Lisa de Moraes
- Deadline Film + TV
On Monday, NBC News staffers received a memo with guidance from the network’s standards and practices on how to handle reporting a sensitive story about sexual harassment allegations against Tom Brokaw.
The note, which Variety has obtained, stated: “As always in cases where sexual misconduct is alleged, we should be scrupulous in reflecting all sides.”
The network went on to enumerate, in great detail, exactly how on-air reporters should frame Brokaw’s side of the story. “Include relevant portions of Brokaw’s denial, his email and the email in support of him, signed by more than 60 colleagues,” read the instructions, which appeared in a company-wide system that producers and talent can access.
That mandate raised eyebrows among some staffers because it urged anchors to report on a document that has been the source of controversy in the newsroom. NBC News declined to comment.
Last week, former NBC News anchor...
The note, which Variety has obtained, stated: “As always in cases where sexual misconduct is alleged, we should be scrupulous in reflecting all sides.”
The network went on to enumerate, in great detail, exactly how on-air reporters should frame Brokaw’s side of the story. “Include relevant portions of Brokaw’s denial, his email and the email in support of him, signed by more than 60 colleagues,” read the instructions, which appeared in a company-wide system that producers and talent can access.
That mandate raised eyebrows among some staffers because it urged anchors to report on a document that has been the source of controversy in the newsroom. NBC News declined to comment.
Last week, former NBC News anchor...
- 5/1/2018
- by Elizabeth Wagmeister and Ramin Setoodeh
- Variety Film + TV
Megyn Kelly is not among the women who have pledged to support famous NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw after Variety and the Washington Post released reports of his alleged sexual harassment of former correspondent Linda Vester.
On Monday’s segment of “Megyn Kelly Today,” Kelly played devil’s advocate with two fellow NBC employees, Kate Snow and Stephanie Gosk, who presented Brokaw’s statement denying Vester’s claims that he tried to forcibly kiss her and grope her. Snow also cited a petition in support of Brokaw circulating within NBC. As Variety previously reported, more than 60 current and former NBC employees have signed the letter, including Rachel Maddow, Andrea Mitchell, and Mika Brzezinski.
In response to the signatories who have vouched for Brokaw’s professionalism, Kelly said, “You don’t know what you don’t know,” calling their claims “character references.” She did clarify, however, that she personally has not...
On Monday’s segment of “Megyn Kelly Today,” Kelly played devil’s advocate with two fellow NBC employees, Kate Snow and Stephanie Gosk, who presented Brokaw’s statement denying Vester’s claims that he tried to forcibly kiss her and grope her. Snow also cited a petition in support of Brokaw circulating within NBC. As Variety previously reported, more than 60 current and former NBC employees have signed the letter, including Rachel Maddow, Andrea Mitchell, and Mika Brzezinski.
In response to the signatories who have vouched for Brokaw’s professionalism, Kelly said, “You don’t know what you don’t know,” calling their claims “character references.” She did clarify, however, that she personally has not...
- 4/30/2018
- by Christi Carras
- Variety Film + TV
Ari Wilkenfeld, the civil rights lawyer who represented the victim of sexual misconduct whose complaint got Matt Lauer fired, is calling on NBC News to hire an outside firm to investigate a growing number of sexual harassment allegations made by current and former employees.
In the days after Lauer was fired for inappropriate behavior last November, NBC News chairman Andy Lack said that NBCUniversal’s legal team would be conducting an inquiry. He also pledged sexual harassment training for employees and “cultural assessment” sessions within his organization.
“The problem is not just the superstar harassers, it’s the top management,” Wilkenfeld said in a statement to Variety. “The man who runs NBC News today oversaw a news division in which widespread harassment of women was allowed to occur, has appointed himself responsible for investigating and solving the problem. One important reason companies hire outside investigators is to send a strong...
In the days after Lauer was fired for inappropriate behavior last November, NBC News chairman Andy Lack said that NBCUniversal’s legal team would be conducting an inquiry. He also pledged sexual harassment training for employees and “cultural assessment” sessions within his organization.
“The problem is not just the superstar harassers, it’s the top management,” Wilkenfeld said in a statement to Variety. “The man who runs NBC News today oversaw a news division in which widespread harassment of women was allowed to occur, has appointed himself responsible for investigating and solving the problem. One important reason companies hire outside investigators is to send a strong...
- 4/29/2018
- by Elizabeth Wagmeister and Ramin Setoodeh
- Variety Film + TV
Updated: MSNBC’s Mika Brzezinski’s has added her name to the more than 60 women who signed a letter supporting NBC News veteran Tom Brokaw after sexual harassment allegations against him were published by Washington Post and Variety:
Add me to the list. https://t.co/KpoPznW67m
— Mika Brzezinski (@morningmika) April 28, 2018
The Morning Joe co-host joined Rachel Maddow, Andrea Mitchell, and more than 60 other women who currently or formerly worked at NBC News, who have put their names on the document.
The carefully crafted letter begins by saying that “as professional women, we fully endorse the conversation around abuse of power in the workplace. In the context of that conversation, we would like to share our perspectives on working with Tom Brokaw.”
Brokaw, the letter says, “has treated each of us with fairness and respect. He has given each of us opportunities for advancement and championed our successes...
Add me to the list. https://t.co/KpoPznW67m
— Mika Brzezinski (@morningmika) April 28, 2018
The Morning Joe co-host joined Rachel Maddow, Andrea Mitchell, and more than 60 other women who currently or formerly worked at NBC News, who have put their names on the document.
The carefully crafted letter begins by saying that “as professional women, we fully endorse the conversation around abuse of power in the workplace. In the context of that conversation, we would like to share our perspectives on working with Tom Brokaw.”
Brokaw, the letter says, “has treated each of us with fairness and respect. He has given each of us opportunities for advancement and championed our successes...
- 4/28/2018
- by Lisa de Moraes
- Deadline Film + TV
Over 60 of Tom Brokaw's female colleagues – including Rachel Maddow, Maria Shriver and Andrea Mitchell – signed a letter in defense of the former NBC Nightly News anchor following sexual harassment allegations against Brokaw.
"As professional women, we fully endorse the conversation around abuse of power in the workplace. In the context of that conversation, we would like to share our perspectives on working with Tom Brokaw," the 64 women – a mix of "producers, correspondents, anchors, directors, executives, researchers, personal assistants, editors and technical staff" – wrote in their letter.
"We are current...
"As professional women, we fully endorse the conversation around abuse of power in the workplace. In the context of that conversation, we would like to share our perspectives on working with Tom Brokaw," the 64 women – a mix of "producers, correspondents, anchors, directors, executives, researchers, personal assistants, editors and technical staff" – wrote in their letter.
"We are current...
- 4/28/2018
- Rollingstone.com
Rachel Maddow, Andrea Mitchell, Maria Shriver and Kelly O’Donnell and more than 60 other women have voiced their support for Tom Brokaw in the wake of sexual harassment allegations leveled against the NBC News veteran.
The letter signed by current and former NBC News staffers praises Brokaw “as a man of tremendous decency and integrity” and as one who “treated each of us with fairness and respect.” It comes on the heels of reports in the Washington Post and Variety that Brokaw made unwanted sexual advances to former NBC News anchor Linda Vester in the mid-1990s.
Brokaw,” the letter reads, “has given each of us opportunities for advancement and championed our successes throughout our careers. As we have advanced across industries — news, publishing, law, business and government — Tom has been a valued source of counsel and support. We know him to be a man of tremendous decency and integrity.
The letter signed by current and former NBC News staffers praises Brokaw “as a man of tremendous decency and integrity” and as one who “treated each of us with fairness and respect.” It comes on the heels of reports in the Washington Post and Variety that Brokaw made unwanted sexual advances to former NBC News anchor Linda Vester in the mid-1990s.
Brokaw,” the letter reads, “has given each of us opportunities for advancement and championed our successes throughout our careers. As we have advanced across industries — news, publishing, law, business and government — Tom has been a valued source of counsel and support. We know him to be a man of tremendous decency and integrity.
- 4/27/2018
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Tom Brokaw sent a personal message to his NBC News colleagues denying sexual harassment allegations made against him and staring that he was "ambushed," a report says. The Washington Post and Variety reported on Thursday that former NBC News correspondent Linda Vester and another anonymous woman, who said she worked as a production assistant at the company, claim the 78-year-old veteran newsman sexually harassed them in the '90s. Via a statement issued by NBC News, Brokaw soon denied both allegations. On Friday, the Hollywood Reporter posted what it said was an email Brokaw had sent to colleagues. In the text, he focuses on Vester's allegations and denies them...
- 4/27/2018
- E! Online
Tom Brokaw is responding to accusations of sexual harassment with a vigorous denial.
The longtime NBC news anchor has fired back at media reports that allege Brokaw made unwanted sexual advances towards former NBC co-worker Linda Vester. In a letter to colleagues obtained by the Los Angeles Times, Brokaw said he “was ambushed and perp walked” by the reports “as an avatar of male misogyny, taken to the guillotine and stripped of any honor and achievement” he earned in his decades of TV journalism.
Brokaw also detailed his recollection of his interactions with Vester in the letter, denying any wrongdoing...
The longtime NBC news anchor has fired back at media reports that allege Brokaw made unwanted sexual advances towards former NBC co-worker Linda Vester. In a letter to colleagues obtained by the Los Angeles Times, Brokaw said he “was ambushed and perp walked” by the reports “as an avatar of male misogyny, taken to the guillotine and stripped of any honor and achievement” he earned in his decades of TV journalism.
Brokaw also detailed his recollection of his interactions with Vester in the letter, denying any wrongdoing...
- 4/27/2018
- TVLine.com
In time for NBC Nightly News to include it in a report about a sexual harassment allegation against former host Tom Brokaw, NBC News chairman Andy Lack sent a memo to staff acknowledging the claims had been made. In his memo, Lack also promised results of his division’s investigation into the Matt Lauer scandal as soon as next week.
In his note to staffers, about a day after The Washington Post and Variety published claims made against Brokaw, Lack said NBC News takes the allegations very seriously and acts on them quickly and decisively when facts dictate.
Lauer was fired in late-November after NBC News said it received a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace.
In his memo, Lack noted Brokaw has “emphatically” denied allegations again him.
Early this morning, Brokaw sent a lengthy letter to colleagues excoriating former NBC-er Linda Vester over...
In his note to staffers, about a day after The Washington Post and Variety published claims made against Brokaw, Lack said NBC News takes the allegations very seriously and acts on them quickly and decisively when facts dictate.
Lauer was fired in late-November after NBC News said it received a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace.
In his memo, Lack noted Brokaw has “emphatically” denied allegations again him.
Early this morning, Brokaw sent a lengthy letter to colleagues excoriating former NBC-er Linda Vester over...
- 4/27/2018
- by Lisa de Moraes and Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
The top executive at NBC News reiterated that the Comcast-owned operation takes allegations of sexual harassment seriously in the wake of charges levied by a former NBC News employee at legendary anchor Tom Brokaw, and signaled that a review of how the unit handled accusations made against former “Today” co-anchor Matt Lauer was nearing an end.
“As you have all seen now in reports from last night, there are allegations against Tom Brokaw, made by a former NBC News journalist, which Tom emphatically denies,” said Andrew Lack, chairman of NBC News and MSNBC, in a memo to employees. “As we’ve shown, we take allegations such as these very seriously, and act on them quickly and decisively when the facts dictate.” He did not offer any assessment of the accusations levied against Brokaw, a day after Variety and the Washington Post reported allegations that former NBC Nightly News nachor...
“As you have all seen now in reports from last night, there are allegations against Tom Brokaw, made by a former NBC News journalist, which Tom emphatically denies,” said Andrew Lack, chairman of NBC News and MSNBC, in a memo to employees. “As we’ve shown, we take allegations such as these very seriously, and act on them quickly and decisively when the facts dictate.” He did not offer any assessment of the accusations levied against Brokaw, a day after Variety and the Washington Post reported allegations that former NBC Nightly News nachor...
- 4/27/2018
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
NBC News special correspondent Tom Brokaw fired back at his accuser on Friday, a day after Variety and the Washington Post reported allegations that Brokaw made unwanted sexual advances to former NBC News anchor Linda Vester in the mid-1990s.
Brokaw wrote a blistering letter that was sent to some colleagues at NBC on Friday morning, according to the Los Angeles Times.
“I was ambushed and then perp walked across the pages of The Washington Post and Variety as an avatar of male misogyny, taken to the guillotine and stripped of any honor and achievement I had earned in more than a half century of journalism and citizenship,” Brokaw wrote. He details his response to Vester’s claims, saying that she “often” sought him out for informal meetings to ask for career advice.
In the latter, Brokaw vehemently denies Vester’s allegations that he tried to force her to kiss him on two occasions.
Brokaw wrote a blistering letter that was sent to some colleagues at NBC on Friday morning, according to the Los Angeles Times.
“I was ambushed and then perp walked across the pages of The Washington Post and Variety as an avatar of male misogyny, taken to the guillotine and stripped of any honor and achievement I had earned in more than a half century of journalism and citizenship,” Brokaw wrote. He details his response to Vester’s claims, saying that she “often” sought him out for informal meetings to ask for career advice.
In the latter, Brokaw vehemently denies Vester’s allegations that he tried to force her to kiss him on two occasions.
- 4/27/2018
- by Variety Staff
- Variety Film + TV
Tom Brokaw, who served as “NBC Nightly News” anchor for more than two decades, says he’s “angry” and “hurt” over over accusations that he sexually harassed two women in the 1990s, calling the claims “sensational.”
In an email obtained by the Hollywood Reporter and sent to several of his NBC News colleagues, Brokaw, said the accusations amounted to a “perp walked across the pages of The Washington Post and Variety,” the two outlets which broke the story Thursday afternoon.
“I am angry, hurt and unmoored from what I thought would be the final passage of my life and career, a mix of written and broadcast journalism, philanthropy and participation in environmental and social causes that have always given extra meaning to my life,” Brokaw wrote.
Also Read: Tom Brokaw Accused by 2 Women of Sexual Harassment During 1990s
On Thursday, The Washington Post and Variety published bombshell reports detailing the accounts of two women, former NBC correspondent Linda Vester and an unnamed former NBC News production assistant, who said that Brokaw made unwanted advances toward them in the 1990s, when he was the anchor of “NBC Nightly News.”
Variety reported that Vester said that Brokaw tried to kiss her on two separate occasions, groped her in a NBC conference room and showed up at her hotel room uninvited. The second accuser, who remains unnamed, told the Post she was 24 when Brokaw pulled her into a small enclave at NBC News, took her hands and pressed them against his chest while asking her to come to his office after his show.
In his statement released Friday, Brokaw fired back at Vester, writing, “My NBC colleagues are bewildered that Vester, who had limited success at NBC News, a modest career at Fox and a reputation as a colleague who had trouble with the truth was suddenly the keeper of the flame of journalistic integrity.”
Also Read: Tom Brokaw Slams Black Lawmakers Over 'S--hole Countries' Response - and Twitter Rises Up
He then went on to describe the events in question of “more than 20 years ago” as he recalled them.
Brokaw, who retired in 2004, still serves as a special correspondent for NBC News. NBC News did not respond to requests for comments Thursday or Friday.
Read Brokaw’s email below:
It is 4:00 am on the first day of my new life as an accused predator in the universe of American journalism. I was ambushed and then perp walked across the pages of The Washington Post and Variety as an avatar of male misogyny, taken to the guillotine and stripped of any honor and achievement I had earned in more than a half century of journalism and citizenship.
I am angry, hurt and unmoored from what I thought would be the final passage of my life and career, a mix of written and broadcast journalism, philanthropy and participation in environmental and social causes that have always given extra meaning to my life.
Instead I am facing a long list of grievances from a former colleague who left NBC News angry that she had failed in her pursuit of stardom. She has unleashed a torrent of unsubstantiated criticism and attacks on me more than twenty years after I opened the door for her and a new job at Fox news.
Linda Vester was given the run of the Washington Post and Variety to vent her grievances, to complain that I tickled her without permission (you read that right), that I invaded her hotel room, accepted an invitation to her apartment under false pretenses and in general was given a free hand to try to destroy all that I have achieved with my family, my NBC career, my writing and my citizenship.
My family and friends are stunned and supportive. My NBC colleagues are bewildered that Vester, who had limited success at NBC News, a modest career at Fox and a reputation as a colleague who had trouble with the truth was suddenly the keeper of the flame of journalistic integrity.
Her big charge: that on two occasions more than 20 years ago I made inappropriate and uninvited appearances in her apartment and in a hotel room. As an eager beginner, Vester, like others in that category, was eager for advice and camaraderie with senior colleagues. She often sought me out for informal meetings, including the one she describes in her New York hotel room. I should not have gone but I emphatically did not verbally and physically attack her and suggest an affair in language right out of pulp fiction.
She was coy, not frightened, filled with office gossip including a recent rumor of an affair. As that discussion advanced she often reminded me she was a Catholic and that she was uncomfortable with my presence. So I left, 23 years later to be stunned by her melodramatic description of the meeting. A year or so later, as I passed through London after covering end of WWII ceremonies in Moscow, I saw her in the office, chatted and agreed to a drink later. (If NY was so traumatic, why a reunion?) She knew a bar but by that late hour it was closed so she suggested her nearby apartment (not, “Well, no where to go. See you tomorrow).
Again, her hospitality was straight forward with lots of pride in her reporting in the Congo and more questions about NY opportunities.
As I remember, she was at one end of a sofa, I was at the other. It was late and I had been up for 24 hours. As I got up to leave I may have leaned over for a perfunctory goodnight kiss but my memory is that it happened at the door – on the cheek. No clenching her neck. That move she so vividly describes is Not Who I Am. Not in high school, college or thereafter.
She came to NY and had mixed success on the overnight news. As I remember her try out on Today did not go well. Her contract was not renewed.
Here is a part of her story she somehow left out. I think I saw her in the hallways and asked how it was going. She was interested in cable start up and I said I didn’t think that was going anywhere. What about Fox, which was just building up? She was interested and followed me to my office where, while she listened in, I called Roger Ailes. He said, “send her over.”
She got the job. I never heard from her or saw her again. I was aware that she became a big fan of Ailes, often praising his considerable broadcasting instincts in public. But when he got in trouble on sexual matters, not a peep from this woman who now describes her self as the keeper of the flame for Me:Too.
I am not a perfect person. I’ve made mistakes, personally and professionally. But as I write this at dawn on the morning after a drive by shooting by Vester, the Washington Post and Variety, I am stunned by the free ride given a woman with a grudge against NBC News, no distinctive credentials or issue passions while at Fox.
As a private citizen who married a wealthy man she has been active in social causes but she came to Me:Too late, portraying herself as a den mother. In the intervening years since we met on those two occasions, she had no reason to worry I could affect her career.
Some of her relatives by marriage are very close friends. She couldn’t pick up the phone and say, “I’d like to talk. I have issues from those two meetings 20 years ago?” Instead she became a character assassin. Strip away all of the hyperbole and what has she achieved? What was her goal? Hard to believe it wasn’t much more Look At Me than Me:Too.
I deeply resent the pain and anger she inflicted on my wife, daughters and granddaughters – all women of considerable success and passion about women’s rights which they personify in their daily lives and professions. We’ll go on as a family that pursues social justice in medical emergency rooms, corporate offices, social therapy, African women’s empowerment and journalism. And no one woman’s assault can take that away.
I am proud of who I am as a husband, father, grandfather, journalist and citizen. Vester, the Washington Post and Variety cannot diminish that. But in this one woman piece of sensational claims they are trying.
Tom Brokaw
Read original story Tom Brokaw Says He’s ‘Angry’ Over Sexual Misconduct Accusations: ‘I Was Ambushed’ At TheWrap...
In an email obtained by the Hollywood Reporter and sent to several of his NBC News colleagues, Brokaw, said the accusations amounted to a “perp walked across the pages of The Washington Post and Variety,” the two outlets which broke the story Thursday afternoon.
“I am angry, hurt and unmoored from what I thought would be the final passage of my life and career, a mix of written and broadcast journalism, philanthropy and participation in environmental and social causes that have always given extra meaning to my life,” Brokaw wrote.
Also Read: Tom Brokaw Accused by 2 Women of Sexual Harassment During 1990s
On Thursday, The Washington Post and Variety published bombshell reports detailing the accounts of two women, former NBC correspondent Linda Vester and an unnamed former NBC News production assistant, who said that Brokaw made unwanted advances toward them in the 1990s, when he was the anchor of “NBC Nightly News.”
Variety reported that Vester said that Brokaw tried to kiss her on two separate occasions, groped her in a NBC conference room and showed up at her hotel room uninvited. The second accuser, who remains unnamed, told the Post she was 24 when Brokaw pulled her into a small enclave at NBC News, took her hands and pressed them against his chest while asking her to come to his office after his show.
In his statement released Friday, Brokaw fired back at Vester, writing, “My NBC colleagues are bewildered that Vester, who had limited success at NBC News, a modest career at Fox and a reputation as a colleague who had trouble with the truth was suddenly the keeper of the flame of journalistic integrity.”
Also Read: Tom Brokaw Slams Black Lawmakers Over 'S--hole Countries' Response - and Twitter Rises Up
He then went on to describe the events in question of “more than 20 years ago” as he recalled them.
Brokaw, who retired in 2004, still serves as a special correspondent for NBC News. NBC News did not respond to requests for comments Thursday or Friday.
Read Brokaw’s email below:
It is 4:00 am on the first day of my new life as an accused predator in the universe of American journalism. I was ambushed and then perp walked across the pages of The Washington Post and Variety as an avatar of male misogyny, taken to the guillotine and stripped of any honor and achievement I had earned in more than a half century of journalism and citizenship.
I am angry, hurt and unmoored from what I thought would be the final passage of my life and career, a mix of written and broadcast journalism, philanthropy and participation in environmental and social causes that have always given extra meaning to my life.
Instead I am facing a long list of grievances from a former colleague who left NBC News angry that she had failed in her pursuit of stardom. She has unleashed a torrent of unsubstantiated criticism and attacks on me more than twenty years after I opened the door for her and a new job at Fox news.
Linda Vester was given the run of the Washington Post and Variety to vent her grievances, to complain that I tickled her without permission (you read that right), that I invaded her hotel room, accepted an invitation to her apartment under false pretenses and in general was given a free hand to try to destroy all that I have achieved with my family, my NBC career, my writing and my citizenship.
My family and friends are stunned and supportive. My NBC colleagues are bewildered that Vester, who had limited success at NBC News, a modest career at Fox and a reputation as a colleague who had trouble with the truth was suddenly the keeper of the flame of journalistic integrity.
Her big charge: that on two occasions more than 20 years ago I made inappropriate and uninvited appearances in her apartment and in a hotel room. As an eager beginner, Vester, like others in that category, was eager for advice and camaraderie with senior colleagues. She often sought me out for informal meetings, including the one she describes in her New York hotel room. I should not have gone but I emphatically did not verbally and physically attack her and suggest an affair in language right out of pulp fiction.
She was coy, not frightened, filled with office gossip including a recent rumor of an affair. As that discussion advanced she often reminded me she was a Catholic and that she was uncomfortable with my presence. So I left, 23 years later to be stunned by her melodramatic description of the meeting. A year or so later, as I passed through London after covering end of WWII ceremonies in Moscow, I saw her in the office, chatted and agreed to a drink later. (If NY was so traumatic, why a reunion?) She knew a bar but by that late hour it was closed so she suggested her nearby apartment (not, “Well, no where to go. See you tomorrow).
Again, her hospitality was straight forward with lots of pride in her reporting in the Congo and more questions about NY opportunities.
As I remember, she was at one end of a sofa, I was at the other. It was late and I had been up for 24 hours. As I got up to leave I may have leaned over for a perfunctory goodnight kiss but my memory is that it happened at the door – on the cheek. No clenching her neck. That move she so vividly describes is Not Who I Am. Not in high school, college or thereafter.
She came to NY and had mixed success on the overnight news. As I remember her try out on Today did not go well. Her contract was not renewed.
Here is a part of her story she somehow left out. I think I saw her in the hallways and asked how it was going. She was interested in cable start up and I said I didn’t think that was going anywhere. What about Fox, which was just building up? She was interested and followed me to my office where, while she listened in, I called Roger Ailes. He said, “send her over.”
She got the job. I never heard from her or saw her again. I was aware that she became a big fan of Ailes, often praising his considerable broadcasting instincts in public. But when he got in trouble on sexual matters, not a peep from this woman who now describes her self as the keeper of the flame for Me:Too.
I am not a perfect person. I’ve made mistakes, personally and professionally. But as I write this at dawn on the morning after a drive by shooting by Vester, the Washington Post and Variety, I am stunned by the free ride given a woman with a grudge against NBC News, no distinctive credentials or issue passions while at Fox.
As a private citizen who married a wealthy man she has been active in social causes but she came to Me:Too late, portraying herself as a den mother. In the intervening years since we met on those two occasions, she had no reason to worry I could affect her career.
Some of her relatives by marriage are very close friends. She couldn’t pick up the phone and say, “I’d like to talk. I have issues from those two meetings 20 years ago?” Instead she became a character assassin. Strip away all of the hyperbole and what has she achieved? What was her goal? Hard to believe it wasn’t much more Look At Me than Me:Too.
I deeply resent the pain and anger she inflicted on my wife, daughters and granddaughters – all women of considerable success and passion about women’s rights which they personify in their daily lives and professions. We’ll go on as a family that pursues social justice in medical emergency rooms, corporate offices, social therapy, African women’s empowerment and journalism. And no one woman’s assault can take that away.
I am proud of who I am as a husband, father, grandfather, journalist and citizen. Vester, the Washington Post and Variety cannot diminish that. But in this one woman piece of sensational claims they are trying.
Tom Brokaw
Read original story Tom Brokaw Says He’s ‘Angry’ Over Sexual Misconduct Accusations: ‘I Was Ambushed’ At TheWrap...
- 4/27/2018
- by Itay Hod
- The Wrap
In a letter to colleagues, NBC News veteran Tom Brokaw has blasted Linda Vester and the two news outlets that published her claims he sexually harassed her in the 1990’s.
Brokaw accused Washington Post and Variety of enabling her “drive by shooting,” according to the letter first obtained by The Los Angeles Times. Vester’s intent was to strip him “of any honor and achievement I had earned in more than a half century of journalism and citizenship,” he charged.
In reports published Thursday in Washington Post and in Variety, Vester claimed that, in the 1990’s, at NBC offices in Denver and New York, Brokaw twice made unwanted sexual advances on her. Brokaw denied the allegations in a much shorter statement than the letter he issued Friday [Read it at bottom of post].
Vester claimed that Brokaw forcefully tried to kiss her in 1994 when he showed up uninvited at her room in Manhattan’s Essex House Hotel.
Brokaw accused Washington Post and Variety of enabling her “drive by shooting,” according to the letter first obtained by The Los Angeles Times. Vester’s intent was to strip him “of any honor and achievement I had earned in more than a half century of journalism and citizenship,” he charged.
In reports published Thursday in Washington Post and in Variety, Vester claimed that, in the 1990’s, at NBC offices in Denver and New York, Brokaw twice made unwanted sexual advances on her. Brokaw denied the allegations in a much shorter statement than the letter he issued Friday [Read it at bottom of post].
Vester claimed that Brokaw forcefully tried to kiss her in 1994 when he showed up uninvited at her room in Manhattan’s Essex House Hotel.
- 4/27/2018
- by Lisa de Moraes
- Deadline Film + TV
Tom Brokaw's firing back at one of his sexual harassment accusers, referring to her as a former colleague with a grudge who has had "trouble with the truth." In an email reportedly sent to a few NBC News coworkers, the former "NBC Nightly News" anchor goes off on Linda Vester, who claims Brokaw acted inappropriately toward her more than 20 years ago. Brokaw begins his statement by saying it's the first day of his new life as an accused predator,...
- 4/27/2018
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Former NBC News correspondent Tom Brokaw has been accused of sexual harassment by two women. Another former NBC News correspondent Linda Vester came forward and said he made unwanted sexual advances towards her, as well as showing up to her hotel room uninvited and trying to kiss her in 1994. She also alleged that he groped her […]
Source: uInterview
The post Tom Brokaw Accused By Two Women Of Sexual Harassment appeared first on uInterview.
Source: uInterview
The post Tom Brokaw Accused By Two Women Of Sexual Harassment appeared first on uInterview.
- 4/27/2018
- by Tatyana Samonte Escano
- Uinterview
Fox News couldn’t resist delving into the sexual misconduct accusations swirling around NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw. On Thursday evening, “Fox News @ Night” anchor Shannon Bream revealed a curious nugget, telling network media guru Howard Kurtz that she was not surprised by the Brokaw story.
“Being in this business and knowing plenty of other women in this business, I have heard other, similar allegations against Brokaw. So it will be interesting to see what comes of this,” she said.
Bream dropped that little nugget after Kurtz offered a defense of sorts for the embattled NBC icon.
Also Read: Tom Brokaw Accused by 2 Women of Sexual Harassment During 1990s
“I’ve covered most of Brokaw’s career at NBC. Very nice man. I’ve never heard a whisper or rumor about this sort of thing. Married to the same woman, Meredith, for more than 50 years,” said Kurtz.
On Thursday, Variety and the Washington Post published an account each of the women who say that Brokaw engaged in sexually inappropriate behavior with them decades ago. The Variety account came from Linda Vester, who spoke on-record to the magazine in a lengthy video which accompanied their story.
“I was groped and assaulted by Tom Brokaw, then the anchor of ‘NBC Nightly News,’ said Vester in the video, who alleged that Brokaw groped her, tried to kiss her on multiple occasions and showed up uninvited to her hotel room back in the 1990s.
Also Read: Teen Vogue Reporter: 'I Was Groped 22 Times' at Coachella While Covering Sexual Harassment
Friends of Vester’s told Variety that she had told them of the Brokaw behavior at the time and the journalist provided contemporaneous journal entries to the magazine to further corroborate her claims.
For his part, Brokaw issued a categorical denial of Vester’s claim.
“I met with Linda Vester on two occasions, both at her request, 23 years ago because she wanted advice with respect to her career at NBC,” he said in a statement provided to Variety. “The meetings were brief, cordial and appropriate, and despite Linda’s allegations, I made no romantic overtures towards her at that time or any other.”
Read original story Fox News Anchor Shannon Bream: ‘I’ve Heard Other Similar Allegations Against Brokaw’ (Video) At TheWrap...
“Being in this business and knowing plenty of other women in this business, I have heard other, similar allegations against Brokaw. So it will be interesting to see what comes of this,” she said.
Bream dropped that little nugget after Kurtz offered a defense of sorts for the embattled NBC icon.
Also Read: Tom Brokaw Accused by 2 Women of Sexual Harassment During 1990s
“I’ve covered most of Brokaw’s career at NBC. Very nice man. I’ve never heard a whisper or rumor about this sort of thing. Married to the same woman, Meredith, for more than 50 years,” said Kurtz.
On Thursday, Variety and the Washington Post published an account each of the women who say that Brokaw engaged in sexually inappropriate behavior with them decades ago. The Variety account came from Linda Vester, who spoke on-record to the magazine in a lengthy video which accompanied their story.
“I was groped and assaulted by Tom Brokaw, then the anchor of ‘NBC Nightly News,’ said Vester in the video, who alleged that Brokaw groped her, tried to kiss her on multiple occasions and showed up uninvited to her hotel room back in the 1990s.
Also Read: Teen Vogue Reporter: 'I Was Groped 22 Times' at Coachella While Covering Sexual Harassment
Friends of Vester’s told Variety that she had told them of the Brokaw behavior at the time and the journalist provided contemporaneous journal entries to the magazine to further corroborate her claims.
For his part, Brokaw issued a categorical denial of Vester’s claim.
“I met with Linda Vester on two occasions, both at her request, 23 years ago because she wanted advice with respect to her career at NBC,” he said in a statement provided to Variety. “The meetings were brief, cordial and appropriate, and despite Linda’s allegations, I made no romantic overtures towards her at that time or any other.”
Read original story Fox News Anchor Shannon Bream: ‘I’ve Heard Other Similar Allegations Against Brokaw’ (Video) At TheWrap...
- 4/27/2018
- by Jon Levine
- The Wrap
Tom Brokaw is being accused of making inappropriate and unwanted advances ... on 2 female co-workers in separate incidents in the 1990s. One of the women, Linda Vester, claims the veteran broadcast journalist and former anchor of NBC Nightly News sexually harassed her while she was a reporter for NBC on "Weekend Today" in 1994 ... according to a report by The Washington Post. Vester claims he asked her to have a drink with him, she replied "I only...
- 4/27/2018
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Tom Brokaw has been accused of making unwanted sexual advances toward two female colleagues in the 1990s, The Washington Post and Variety reported Thursday. Former NBC News correspondent Linda Vester and an anonymous source, who says she worked as a NBC News production assistant, claim Brokaw sexually harassed them. Brokaw denied the allegations in a statement supplied to both outlets by a NBC News spokesperson. "I met with Linda Vester on two occasions, both at her request, 23 years ago because she wanted advice with respect to her career at NBC," the veteran journalist said. "The meetings were brief, cordial and appropriate, and despite Linda's allegations, I...
- 4/27/2018
- E! Online
Linda Vester has alleged that when she was working for NBC News in the Nineties, she was "groped and assaulted by Tom Brokaw, then the anchor of NBC Nightly News." The former anchor detailed her claims to Variety.
Vester joined NBC News in September 1989. In 1993, she became a full-time correspondent for Weekend Today. It was at this point when she alleges she had her first "humiliating" encounter with Brokaw. In August 1993, while at the Denver Bureau where she was covering Pope John Paul's visit, she claims Brokaw grabbed her inappropriately.
Vester joined NBC News in September 1989. In 1993, she became a full-time correspondent for Weekend Today. It was at this point when she alleges she had her first "humiliating" encounter with Brokaw. In August 1993, while at the Denver Bureau where she was covering Pope John Paul's visit, she claims Brokaw grabbed her inappropriately.
- 4/27/2018
- Rollingstone.com
Former “Today Show” co-host Ann Curry warned NBC executives about Matt Lauer’s sexual misconduct in 2012, the Washington Post reported Thursday.
In her first interview since Lauer’s ouster from the network last fall, Curry told the Post that she was prompted to act after a female staffer came to her in tears. The staffer told Curry that she was “sexually harassed physically” by Lauer.
“She was afraid of losing her job… I believed her,” Curry told the paper. “I told management they had a problem and they needed to keep an eye on him and how he deals with women.”
NBC said there was no record of the warning in Lauer’s file, and it is not clear that any action was taken. The previous executive team at NBC News, not the current regime, was overseeing the department at the time.
Curry, who left the network the same year after 15 years on the show,...
In her first interview since Lauer’s ouster from the network last fall, Curry told the Post that she was prompted to act after a female staffer came to her in tears. The staffer told Curry that she was “sexually harassed physically” by Lauer.
“She was afraid of losing her job… I believed her,” Curry told the paper. “I told management they had a problem and they needed to keep an eye on him and how he deals with women.”
NBC said there was no record of the warning in Lauer’s file, and it is not clear that any action was taken. The previous executive team at NBC News, not the current regime, was overseeing the department at the time.
Curry, who left the network the same year after 15 years on the show,...
- 4/27/2018
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
Two women are accusing veteran newsman Tom Brokaw of workplace sexual harassment two decades ago when he was the anchor of NBC Nightly News, according to multiple media reports.
The Washington Post reported tonight that former NBC correspondent Linda Fester said Brokaw made unwanted sexual advances on her twice in the 1990s. She said she didn’t report the alleged incidents for fear of retribution. Brokaw denied the allegations in a statement issued by NBC: “I met with Linda Vester on two occasions, both at her request, 23 years ago, because she wanted advice with respect to her career at NBC,” he says in the statement, per WaPo. “The meetings were brief, cordial and appropriate, and despite Linda’s allegations, I made no romantic overtures towards her, at that time or any other.”
The Post added that another unidentified woman told the paper that Brokaw also acted inappropriately toward her in the ’90s,...
The Washington Post reported tonight that former NBC correspondent Linda Fester said Brokaw made unwanted sexual advances on her twice in the 1990s. She said she didn’t report the alleged incidents for fear of retribution. Brokaw denied the allegations in a statement issued by NBC: “I met with Linda Vester on two occasions, both at her request, 23 years ago, because she wanted advice with respect to her career at NBC,” he says in the statement, per WaPo. “The meetings were brief, cordial and appropriate, and despite Linda’s allegations, I made no romantic overtures towards her, at that time or any other.”
The Post added that another unidentified woman told the paper that Brokaw also acted inappropriately toward her in the ’90s,...
- 4/27/2018
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Tom Brokaw has been accused of sexual harassment by Linda Vester, a former war correspondent for NBC News. She’s shared her allegations with Variety, alleging that Brokaw — the lead anchor on NBC’s nightly news program for more than two decades as well as a host on both “Today” and “Meet the Press” — harassed and groped her in the early-to-mid 1990s.
Vester claims that the first incident took place in 1993, while she was covering Pope John Paul II’s trip to Denver, Colo. “We were in the Denver bureau, and there was a conference room. I’m standing there, and Tom Brokaw enters through the door and grabs me from behind and proceeds to tickle me up and down my waist,” she tells Variety. “I jumped a foot and I looked at a guy who was the senior editor of ‘Nightly,’ and his jaw was hanging open. Nobody acted like anything wrong was happening,...
Vester claims that the first incident took place in 1993, while she was covering Pope John Paul II’s trip to Denver, Colo. “We were in the Denver bureau, and there was a conference room. I’m standing there, and Tom Brokaw enters through the door and grabs me from behind and proceeds to tickle me up and down my waist,” she tells Variety. “I jumped a foot and I looked at a guy who was the senior editor of ‘Nightly,’ and his jaw was hanging open. Nobody acted like anything wrong was happening,...
- 4/27/2018
- by Michael Nordine
- Indiewire
Two women have accused former “NBC Nightly News” anchor Tom Brokaw of sexual harassment in bombshell reports by The Washington Post and Variety Thursday.
Former NBC correspondent Linda Vester and an unnamed former NBC News production assistant said that Brokaw made unwanted advances toward them in the 1990s, when he was the anchor of “NBC Nightly News.”
Variety reported that Vester said that Brokaw tried to kiss her on two separate occasions, groped her in a NBC conference room and showed up at her hotel room uninvited.
Also Read: Katie Couric Talks Matt Lauer, Sexual Harassment at TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast Austin
Two friends of Vester corroborated to Variety that she told them about the encounters at the time, and she shared her journal entries from the time period with the news outlet. Brokaw has never before been publicly accused of sexual harassment in the past.
The second accuser, who remains unnamed, told the Post she was 24 when Brokaw pulled her into a small enclave at NBC News, took her hands and pressed them against his chest while asking her to come to his office after his show.
NBC did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment. Through a network spokesperson, Brokaw denied the accusations to both Variety and the Post.
“I met with Linda Vester on two occasions, both at her request, 23 years ago because she wanted advice with respect to her career at NBC,” Brokaw said in a statement. “The meetings were brief, cordial and appropriate, and despite Linda’s allegations, I made no romantic overtures towards her at that time or any other.”
Also Read: Ann Curry 'Not Surprised' by Matt Lauer Accusations Amid 'Pervasive' Harassment (Video)
Vester, who was 28 at the time of the supposed encounter, said she didn’t report Brokaw to the police or NBC’s human resources because she was scared it would end her career.
She has since left the network going on to work for Fox News through 2006.
The Post story also includes accusations from two unnamed women against former “Today” host Matt Lauer, who was fired from NBC earlier this year following sexual misconduct accusations by multiple women.
One woman told the Post that Lauer exposed himself to her in his office and asked her to touch him. Another she had sex with Lauer in his office.
Lauer issued a statement to the Post, saying, “I have made no public comments on the many false stories from anonymous or biased sources that have been reported about me over these past several months . . . I remained silent in an attempt to protect my family from further embarrassment and to restore a small degree of the privacy they have lost. But defending my family now requires me to speak up.”
Also Read: What Did NBC Know About Matt Lauer, and When?
“I fully acknowledge that I acted inappropriately as a husband, father and principal at NBC,” he added. “However I want to make it perfectly clear that any allegations or reports of coercive, aggressive or abusive actions on my part, at any time, are absolutely false.”
Lauer’s former colleague, former “Today” co-host Ann Curry told the Post that in 2012, a female staffer told her that she had been sexually harassed by Lauer.
“I told management they had a problem and they needed to keep an eye on him and how he deals with women,” she told the Post.
Read original story Tom Brokaw Accused by 2 Women of Sexual Harassment During 1990s At TheWrap...
Former NBC correspondent Linda Vester and an unnamed former NBC News production assistant said that Brokaw made unwanted advances toward them in the 1990s, when he was the anchor of “NBC Nightly News.”
Variety reported that Vester said that Brokaw tried to kiss her on two separate occasions, groped her in a NBC conference room and showed up at her hotel room uninvited.
Also Read: Katie Couric Talks Matt Lauer, Sexual Harassment at TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast Austin
Two friends of Vester corroborated to Variety that she told them about the encounters at the time, and she shared her journal entries from the time period with the news outlet. Brokaw has never before been publicly accused of sexual harassment in the past.
The second accuser, who remains unnamed, told the Post she was 24 when Brokaw pulled her into a small enclave at NBC News, took her hands and pressed them against his chest while asking her to come to his office after his show.
NBC did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment. Through a network spokesperson, Brokaw denied the accusations to both Variety and the Post.
“I met with Linda Vester on two occasions, both at her request, 23 years ago because she wanted advice with respect to her career at NBC,” Brokaw said in a statement. “The meetings were brief, cordial and appropriate, and despite Linda’s allegations, I made no romantic overtures towards her at that time or any other.”
Also Read: Ann Curry 'Not Surprised' by Matt Lauer Accusations Amid 'Pervasive' Harassment (Video)
Vester, who was 28 at the time of the supposed encounter, said she didn’t report Brokaw to the police or NBC’s human resources because she was scared it would end her career.
She has since left the network going on to work for Fox News through 2006.
The Post story also includes accusations from two unnamed women against former “Today” host Matt Lauer, who was fired from NBC earlier this year following sexual misconduct accusations by multiple women.
One woman told the Post that Lauer exposed himself to her in his office and asked her to touch him. Another she had sex with Lauer in his office.
Lauer issued a statement to the Post, saying, “I have made no public comments on the many false stories from anonymous or biased sources that have been reported about me over these past several months . . . I remained silent in an attempt to protect my family from further embarrassment and to restore a small degree of the privacy they have lost. But defending my family now requires me to speak up.”
Also Read: What Did NBC Know About Matt Lauer, and When?
“I fully acknowledge that I acted inappropriately as a husband, father and principal at NBC,” he added. “However I want to make it perfectly clear that any allegations or reports of coercive, aggressive or abusive actions on my part, at any time, are absolutely false.”
Lauer’s former colleague, former “Today” co-host Ann Curry told the Post that in 2012, a female staffer told her that she had been sexually harassed by Lauer.
“I told management they had a problem and they needed to keep an eye on him and how he deals with women,” she told the Post.
Read original story Tom Brokaw Accused by 2 Women of Sexual Harassment During 1990s At TheWrap...
- 4/27/2018
- by Itay Hod
- The Wrap
Linda Vester had a reputation for covering tough stories. As a war correspondent for NBC News in the ’90s, she spent three tours of duty in the Middle East and took two assignments in Africa.
But as it turned out, her biggest battle at work wasn’t in the field. She says it was as a victim of sexual harassment by Tom Brokaw, the legendary newsman who manned the anchor desk for “NBC Nightly News” for 22 years and hosted “Today” and “Meet the Press.”
In a series of interviews with Variety conducted over several months, Vester alleged that Brokaw physically tried to force her to kiss him on two separate occasions, groped her in a NBC conference room and showed up at her hotel room uninvited. Two friends who Vester told at the time corroborated her story with Variety, and she shared her journal entries from the time period. Brokaw,...
But as it turned out, her biggest battle at work wasn’t in the field. She says it was as a victim of sexual harassment by Tom Brokaw, the legendary newsman who manned the anchor desk for “NBC Nightly News” for 22 years and hosted “Today” and “Meet the Press.”
In a series of interviews with Variety conducted over several months, Vester alleged that Brokaw physically tried to force her to kiss him on two separate occasions, groped her in a NBC conference room and showed up at her hotel room uninvited. Two friends who Vester told at the time corroborated her story with Variety, and she shared her journal entries from the time period. Brokaw,...
- 4/27/2018
- by Elizabeth Wagmeister and Ramin Setoodeh
- Variety Film + TV
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