They fired two of their biggest, smartest stars. Why has there been so much sexual abuse at NPR and Public TV?
To our listeners:
This fall, we watched as the national conversation turned to harassment in the workplace. We knew this movement was powerful and important. What we didn’t expect was for it to land on our doorstep at New York Public Radio, as several members of our community came forward with allegations of inappropriate conduct by members of our own staff.
We strive to bring you the best programming, from the best teams in the region, and we value your trust above all else. When people in our community feel unwelcome or disrespected, it means we have not lived up to our values, and we cannot do the sacred job you’ve trusted us to do.
Today, we terminated the employment of Leonard Lopate and Jonathan Schwartz, following two separate investigations into patterns of inappropriate behavior. These investigations, overseen by outside counsel, determined that Mr. Lopate and Mr. Schwartz had violated our standards for providing an inclusive and respectful work environment. You can find our full statement to the press here...
We are saddened by this turn of events, as we know how much all of our WNYC shows mean to our listeners. Here is what you can expect to find on the air and online in the coming weeks:
We’ll continue to produce two hours of midday programming, called WNYC at Midday, which will feature a diverse array of hosts—from WNYC and beyond—in conversation with thinkers, artists, writers, and performers.
A team of WNYC producers will be at work developing extraordinary new programming that invites necessary conversations and addresses the most important, intriguing issues in American culture and the way we live now in New York.
We remain committed to celebrating the music and artists of the Great American Songbook. For the foreseeable future, listeners can continue tuning in to The Saturday Show and The Sunday Show, which will be guest-hosted by WQXR’s Paul Cavalconte. Our 24/7 digital stream will continue to showcase music from the Great American Songbook—past and present—and will relaunch in the coming year.
Our mission remains to open hearts and minds, bring people together, and create a more just and joyful society through excellent programming. This work depends on an ironclad commitment to our community, which we reaffirm today:
A respectful, inclusive work environment is not a privilege. It’s a fundamental right. As we turn the page on this difficult year, we will hold ourselves to the highest standards of transparency, integrity, and accountability. And we will ensure that every member of our community—from host to intern, guest to listener—feels welcome and valued.
With gratitude,
Laura R. Walker
President and CEO, New York Public Radio
