New Yorker Severs Ties With Ryan Lizza After Claiming ‘Improper Sexual Conduct’
Another prominent member of the media has now lost his job in the midst of allegations of sexual misconduct. This afternoon, The New Yorker released a statement that they had severed ties with Washington correspondent Ryan Lizza for engaging in what they described as “improper sexual conduct.”
Below is the publication’s statement, via the Washington Post’s Paul Farhi:
Statement from @newyorker: “The New Yorker recently learned that Ryan Lizza engaged in what we believe was improper sexual conduct. We have reviewed the matter and, as a result, have severed ties with Lizza. Due to a request for privacy, we are not commenting further.”
— Paul Farhi (@farhip) December 11, 2017
We can add Lizza’s name to the list of well-known men in the media who have been accused of sexual harassment and misconduct in recent weeks. Following the Harvey Weinstein bombshell, we’ve seen NBC cut ties with Today Show host Matt Lauer and pundit Mark Halperin. CBS and PBS and Bloomberg dumped broadcaster Charlie Rose. The New York Times placed reporter Glenn Thrush on suspension as it reviewed allegations of inappropriate behavior during his tenure at Politico.
Additionally, NPR News chief Michael Oreskes resigned following sexual harassment allegations. Former NPR host Garrison Keilor was fired from a Minnesota public radio station for his behavior. It was also reported that Fox News knew of a $32 million sexual harassment settlement made by former star Bill O’Reilly while it was negotiating a new contract with him.
Lizza is also a political analyst with CNN. Following the New Yorker’s announcement, a CNN spokesperson provided the following statement to Mediaite:
“We have just learned of the New Yorker’s decision. Ryan Lizza will not appear on CNN while we look into this matter.”
UPDATE 4:48 PM ET: Below is a statement from Lizza, via Politico’s Michael Calderone:
Ryan Lizza says in a statement that he’s “dismayed” the New Yorker has characterized “a respectful relationship with a woman I dated as somehow inappropriate.” Full statement: pic.twitter.com/SvjnzSaYSR
— Michael Calderone (@mlcalderone) December 11, 2017
UPDATE 5:33 PM ET: Lizza’s accuser released a statement through legal representatives tonight, pushing back on how he characterized the relationship:
Statement from Wigdor LLP, law firm active in Fox News lawsuits that is representing Ryan Lizza’s alleged victim pic.twitter.com/QorxRYyFPr
— Tom Kludt (@TomKludt) December 11, 2017
[image via screengrab]
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