A Fox News Channel spokeswoman said Wednesday that the network is “troubled” by contributor Geraldo Rivera’s comments regarding sexual harassment in the media.
Rivera, a former talk show host, responded to the firing of NBC’s Matt Lauer over sexual misconduct allegations by tweeting that “news is a flirty business.”
In a series of tweets after the announcement of the “Today” host’s dismissal, Rivera defended Lauer as a “real gentleman” and charged that some women make sexual harassment accusations to seek revenge.
{mosads}”Geraldo’s tweets do not reflect the views of Fox News or its management,” the network said in a statement. “We were troubled by his comments and are addressing them with him.”
Rivera in his tweets suggested that many women who have come forward with accusations are doing it to “get even” with bosses and exes.
The tweets followed a Variety report that interviewed dozens of women who accused Lauer of routinely making sexual jokes, belittling and harassing women at the network, and in at least one incident exposing himself to a female coworker.
Lauer is the latest high-profile man to lose his job over sexual harassment allegations in a wave of accusations and consequences sweeping multiple industries, including the media and Congress.