Andrew Lack, the President of NBC News, has notified the staff in a memo that the "detailed complaints" about Matt Lauer's "inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace " were made "by a colleague" on Monday night.
Without revealing the name of the colleague, the NBC News chairman said the broadcaster "seriously reviewed" the allegations and concluded that they represented a "clear violation of the company's standards" which led to the termination of his employment.
Matt Lauer has been terminated from NBC News. On Monday night, we received a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace by Matt Lauer. As a result, we’ve decided to terminate his employment. pic.twitter.com/1A3UAZpvPb
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) 29 ноября 2017 г.
In light of #MattLauer being fired, let us not forget his performance during the debate last year. pic.twitter.com/WBtuWVFdCs
— Ty (@_tylerkirk) 29 ноября 2017 г.
News anchor Matt Lauer has been with the channel for over twenty years, the memo went on to say. Although it was the "first complaint about his behavior," the managing authorities "were presented with reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident."
Seconds after hearing #MattLauer is fired from TodayShow #anotherOne pic.twitter.com/6ftor3ekle
— ❧❦Mz.Rita❦❧♊ (@Tuakachyc) 29 ноября 2017 г.
Lauer co-host Savannah Guthrie said that the channel's staff are "devastated" and "heartbroken" both for the anchor and "for the brave colleague."
I was never a fan of Matt Lauer, but when it is reported on Monday and fired by Tuesday, shows what kind fact checking goes on. Any body can claim this, we need to start seeing some proof. Wake up men, you slowly being replaced.
— Irma Shaw (@scdpcon) 29 ноября 2017 г.
The issue did not go unnoticed by President Trump, who himself faces allegations of sexual misbehavior. The US leader took to his microblog on Twitter where he wondered when the top executives of the NBC broadcaster and its parent company Comcast could "be fired for putting out so much Fake News."
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) 29 ноября 2017 г.
Other Twitter users also commented on the dismissal.
What has happened to due process? Matt Lauer is fired & career ruined bc 1 accuser but no proof? Not right!
— Roxanne Clarkson (@Hookedongin92) 29 ноября 2017 г.
A shock, but not a surprise, that Matt Lauer was fired. Powerful men everywhere must be terrified that they could be next. https://t.co/i39akE2iza via @CNNMoney
— Darla Krusee (@darlakrusee) 29 ноября 2017 г.
with all these men being fired, Matt Lauer, Bill O'Reilly, Charlie Rose, looks like women may "take over" way sooner than we expected!🤣 And with women,this issue will never B an issue, & we'll have a better World/society, all the way around.
— EqualRightsForAll (@hearwhatIsay2) 29 ноября 2017 г.
Other journalists seem to have been aware of the accusations and provided their reasons for the dismissal.
I, and other reporters, have been aware of several women who have come forward privately in the past few months…even before Weinstein. They weren’t willing to go public though…they were terrified of Matt. https://t.co/jR3VV1AWGt
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) 29 ноября 2017 г.
For the last two months, @EWagmeister and I have been reporting on a story about serious sexual harassment allegations against Lauer. There were multiple victims. https://t.co/jW2QEeDOqo
— Ramin Setoodeh (@RaminSetoodeh) 29 ноября 2017 г.
NBC was aware that Variety was working on a bombshell story about sexual harassment allegations against Matt Lauer.
— Ramin Setoodeh (@RaminSetoodeh) 29 ноября 2017 г.
