Megan Creydt, the Copy Chief at MTV News, is one of the 13 women to accuse longtime news anchor Charlie Rose of sexual harassment in the Washington Post report. Out of the 13 women, Creydt was one of three who spoke on the record. In addition to working for CBS News, Rose show aired on PBS and Bloomberg TV.
According to the Washington Post report, the women were employees or aspired to work for Rose at the “Charlie Rose” show from the late 1990s to as recently as 2011. They ranged in age from 21 to 37 at the time of the alleged encounters. The other five women spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fear of Rose’s stature in the industry, his power over their careers or his temper.
Creydt, who was former Charlie Rose coordinator from 2005 to 2006, accused Rose of inappropriately touching her thigh area during a car ride.
“I tensed up. I didn’t move his hand off, but I pulled my legs to the other side of the car. I tried not to get in a car with him ever again. I think he was testing me out,” Creydt said.
Rose released a statement to the Post, saying:
“In my 45 years in journalism, I have prided myself on being an advocate for the careers of the women with whom I have worked,” Rose said in a statement provided to The Post. “Nevertheless, in the past few days, claims have been made about my behavior toward some former female colleagues.
“It is essential that these women know I hear them and that I deeply apologize for my inappropriate behavior. I am greatly embarrassed. I have behaved insensitively at times, and I accept responsibility for that, though I do not believe that all of these allegations are accurate. I always felt that I was pursuing shared feelings, even though I now realize I was mistaken.
“I have learned a great deal as a result of these events, and I hope others will too. All of us, including me, are coming to a newer and deeper recognition of the pain caused by conduct in the past, and have come to a profound new respect for women and their lives.”
Following the publication of the article, Rose was suspended by CBS News, then fired hours later. CBS News president David Rhodes’ released a full statement regarding Rose’s firing:
A short time ago we terminated Charlie Rose’s employment with CBS News, effective immediately. This followed the revelation yesterday of extremely disturbing and intolerable behavior said to have revolved around his PBS program.
Despite Charlie’s important journalistic contribution to our news division, there is absolutely nothing more important, in this or any organization, than ensuring a safe, professional workplace-a supportive environment where people feel they can do their best work. We need to be such a place.
I’ve often heard that things used to be different. And no one may be able to correct the past. But what may once have been accepted should not ever have been acceptable.
CBS News has reported on extraordinary revelations at other media companies this year and last. Our credibility in that reporting requires credibility managing basic standards of behavior. That is why we have taken these actions.
Let’s please remember our obligations to each other as colleagues. We will have human resources support today and every day, and we are organizing more personal and direct training which you will hear about from senior management shortly.
I’m deeply disappointed and angry that people were victimized-and that even people not connected with these events could see their hard work undermined. If all of us commit to the best behavior and the best work – that is what we can be known for.
When a cameraman caught up with Rose outside his apartment on Monday evening, when asked if he wanted to say anything to the people accusing him of “wrongdoings”, Rose said “It’s not wrongdoings.”
