Vice Makes News for Wrong Reasons: Sexual Harassment

New York Times exposes shows ugly history of sexual misconduct at media upstart.

Vice Media
CEO and Founder of Vice Media Shane Smith speaks on stage at Google presents YouTube Brandcast event at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on April 30, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic)

This time, Vice Media is on the wrong side of explosive headlines. An explosive New York Times expose is revealing that the $6 billion global media empire — lauded as one one of the present and future bastions of journalism in an uncertain time for the industry — “created a workplace that was degrading and uncomfortable for women,” according to a number of female employees. The newspaper uncovered four settlements involving allegations of sexual harassment against Vice management — including the company’s president, Andrew Creighton, who paid $135,000 last year to a former employee who claimed she was fired after rejecting his advances. There were dozens of other women, according to The Times, who gave accounts of witnessing or experiencing lewd behavior or comments. Co-founders Shane Smith and Suroosh Alvi are admitting that their company has an uncomfortable history: “From the top down, we have failed as a company to create a safe and inclusive workplace where everyone, especially women, can feel respected and thrive,” they said in a joint statement to the newspaper.

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