By — Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko Leave a comment 0comments Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/nbc-host-matt-lauer-fired-for-inappropriate-sexual-behavior Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter NBC host Matt Lauer fired for ‘inappropriate sexual behavior’ Nation Updated on Nov 30, 2017 7:10 AM EDT — Published on Nov 29, 2017 8:47 AM EDT NBC News fired Matt Lauer of the “Today” show on Wednesday due to a complaint filed against the host for inappropriate sexual behavior. In a memo to employees, Andrew Lack, chairman of NBC News and MSNBC, said: “On Monday night, we received a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace by Matt Lauer. It represented, after serious review, a clear violation of our company’s standards. As a result, we’ve decided to terminate his employment.” Lack wrote that while it was the first complaint about Lauer’s behavior over his more than 20 years at NBC News, “we were also presented with reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident.” His co-host Savannah Guthrie, who shared the anchor desk with Hoda Kotb Wednesday morning, said, “As I’m sure you can imagine, we are devastated and we are still processing all of this.” Lauer issued a statement Thursday morning amid more reports of misconduct, saying in part: “Some of what is being said about me is untrue or mischaracterized, but there is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed. I regret that my shame is now shared by the people I cherish dearly.” Lauer is the latest in a string of recent sexual misconduct allegations, including “CBS This Morning” co-host Charlie Rose, New York Times journalist Glenn Thrush, and film producer Harvey Weinstein. President Donald Trump weighed in on Lauer’s departure soon after the announcement: Wow, Matt Lauer was just fired from NBC for “inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace.” But when will the top executives at NBC & Comcast be fired for putting out so much Fake News. Check out Andy Lack’s past! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 29, 2017 On Wednesday morning, Lauer’s image was gone from the Today show’s Twitter account. Instead, a photo of Guthrie and weatherman Al Roker led the page. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko produced multimedia web features and broadcast reports with a focus on foreign affairs for the PBS NewsHour. She has reported in places such as Jordan, Pakistan, Iraq, Haiti, Sudan, Western Sahara, Guantanamo Bay, China, Vietnam, South Korea, Turkey, Germany and Ireland. @NewsHourWorld
NBC News fired Matt Lauer of the “Today” show on Wednesday due to a complaint filed against the host for inappropriate sexual behavior. In a memo to employees, Andrew Lack, chairman of NBC News and MSNBC, said: “On Monday night, we received a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace by Matt Lauer. It represented, after serious review, a clear violation of our company’s standards. As a result, we’ve decided to terminate his employment.” Lack wrote that while it was the first complaint about Lauer’s behavior over his more than 20 years at NBC News, “we were also presented with reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident.” His co-host Savannah Guthrie, who shared the anchor desk with Hoda Kotb Wednesday morning, said, “As I’m sure you can imagine, we are devastated and we are still processing all of this.” Lauer issued a statement Thursday morning amid more reports of misconduct, saying in part: “Some of what is being said about me is untrue or mischaracterized, but there is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed. I regret that my shame is now shared by the people I cherish dearly.” Lauer is the latest in a string of recent sexual misconduct allegations, including “CBS This Morning” co-host Charlie Rose, New York Times journalist Glenn Thrush, and film producer Harvey Weinstein. President Donald Trump weighed in on Lauer’s departure soon after the announcement: Wow, Matt Lauer was just fired from NBC for “inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace.” But when will the top executives at NBC & Comcast be fired for putting out so much Fake News. Check out Andy Lack’s past! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 29, 2017 On Wednesday morning, Lauer’s image was gone from the Today show’s Twitter account. Instead, a photo of Guthrie and weatherman Al Roker led the page. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now