Another week, another public radio station ousting popular hosts thanks to allegations of “inappropriate conduct.” This time, the network is WNYC, and the employees in question are Leonard Lopate and Jonathan Schwartz, both popular on-air personalities.

The statement, read by anchor Shumita Basu was terse and blunt: “Effective immediately, Leonard Lopate and Jonathan Schwartz are no longer on the air…”

New York Public Radio offered a bit more of an explanation, though not much, saying the popular hosts have been pulled off the air “pending an investigation into accusations of inappropriate conduct…”

The announcement was not entirely surprising, coming as it did on the heels of several days of very public criticism of how the network handled a previous allegation of sexual harassment and bullying which also resulted in terrible public relations backlash. Those allegations, leveled against former radio host John Hockenberry, led to a wave of complaints into how that situation was handled.

For his part, Hockenberry apologized for some of his behavior: “Looking back, my behavior was not always appropriate, and I’m sorry. It horrifies me that I made the talented and driven people I worked with feel uncomfortable…” 

The criticism of the station surfaced after certain officials admitted to knowing about complaints related to Hockenberry but continuing to allow him to broadcast without addressing these complaints. Further aggravating critics, Hockenberry was allowed to leave on what appeared to be his own terms this past summer. His departure was positioned as a “retirement” when, internally, some were saying his contract was not renewed “for a variety of reasons, including some of what we knew about how people felt…” 

Critics claimed these contrary stories simply bolstered the sort of environment that allows sexual harassment to continue unabated. Responding to these criticisms, WNYC CEO Laura Walker said she was “deeply regretful” for not having acted sooner. “…our culture and protocols did not work as they should, such that the full extent of the allegations are just coming to light. This alleged behavior happened on my watch, and I take responsibility.” 

In addressing the suspensions of Lopate and Schwartz, Walker told CNN, “New York Public Radio takes these kinds of allegations very seriously and is reviewing these matters promptly… NYPR is committed to taking all appropriate steps to ensure a respectful, equitable, inclusive and harassment-free workplace for everyone.” 

Lopate, at least, isn’t buying that, telling CNN the allegations and action taken by WNYC were shocking. “I’m baffled by this. It makes absolutely no sense to me… I’m sure that any honest investigation will completely clear me.” 

Whether that’s accurate or not, this scenario is a window into how convoluted these situations can be. Where a network was slow to act in one situation, they were quick to act in another … and that leaves the consumer to determine, without much more than a he-said/she-said, when and if any justice was served at all.

Ronn Torossian with VP Mike Pence

About the Author: Ronn Torossian is CEO of 5WPR.