Network News Accusers Form Victim Support Group

Women who say they were sexually harassed or mistreated by powerful men in television news have banded together to form a support network aimed at changing a newsroom culture they say has given men a free pass to misbehave for decades.

The women behind the Press Forward initiative tell The Associated Press they want a zero-tolerance policy for sexual misconduct at networks, better awareness of legal rights for women coming into the industry and better accountability for executives to ensure safety and improvements.

Eleanor McManus

“Women should not have to go to work and worry that something like this is going to happen to them,” said Eleanor McManus, who said she was a 21-year-old job seeker when then-ABC News political reporter Mark Halperin tried to kiss her during a meeting in his office. “Women should not worry that mentors may act in an aggressive manner toward them. That’s not fair.”

Press Forward evolved over the last two months after McManus and other women went public with allegations against Halperin, CBS and PBS host Charlie Rose and NBC’s “Today” show host Matt Lauer, and others.

The group’s first mission: figuring out what’s needed to make the television news business more equitable and effective. The women say they’ll spend the next six months talking with everyone from interns to executives and designing best practices that tear down the status quo.

After Lauer’s firing, NBC initiated a review of its handling of the matter and implemented in-person training on sexual harassment awareness and appropriate behavior in the workplace.

McManus said some of the networks have already expressed an interest in working with Press Forward.