Michael Oreskes, senior vice president of news and editorial director for NPR, is resigning from his role at the organization following accusations from two women that he sexually harassed them.
NPR CEO Jarl Mohn alerted staff Wednesday morning that Oreskes was asked to resign.
“When anyone, but particularly someone in power, violates a policy, acts in ways that are inappropriate, or takes steps that do not contribute to building a positive workplace, it breaks a trust,” Mohn told staff in a memo obtained by the Washington Examiner. “That trust is about looking out for each other, doing the right thing, and acting as one team. It is sacred to me. I am committed to rebuilding trust, and my leadership team is as well.”
The Washington Post reported Tuesday that Oreskes was under investigation by NPR following accusations from two women that he had behaved inappropriately with them almost 20 years ago.
The two women told the Post that, when he worked at the New York Times, Oreskes “unexpectedly kissed them on the lips and stuck his tongue in their mouths” during meetings with each of them separately when they had approached him to discuss their careers.
NPR placed Oreskes on leave following the complaints.
Mohn told NPR staff that it was not the Post’s report that caused him to move against Oreskes. “We have been acting,” he said. “Some of the steps we took were visible and others weren’t. We have a process in place and we followed that process.”
