Vox Media acknowledges that 'there were stronger steps the company should have taken' to investigate harassment allegations

pulse

November 3, 2017 10:31 PM

Vox acknowledged that it could've more vigorously investigate internal allegations of sexual harassment against its former editorial director Lockhart Steele.

Vox Media acknowledged that it should have more vigorously investigated internal allegations of sexual harassment against its former editorial director

Steele was fired last month following an investigation into claims of harassment against Steele.

In a lengthy note sent to employees on Friday that was obtained by Business Insider, Vox Media CEO Jim Bankoff said an investigation led by outside law firm found "more than one person experienced behavior from Lockhart Steele that was inappropriate and unacceptable."

"The behavior clearly crossed the line of professionalism and violated company policy against sexual harassment," Bankoff said.

The note added further that chief legal officer Lauren Fisher conducted a formal inquiry after she was alerted to "

"As a result of that inquiry, Lauren took corrective actions with Lock, doing what she felt she could at the time to protect the broader community while also protecting the anonymity of those who came forward," Bankoff said.

"In hindsight, there were stronger steps the company should have taken to investigate more vigorously while also looking out for those who were brave enough to come forward to share information."

Fisher also explained why the 2016 investigation was kept mum:

Separately, according to the memo, a second individual who also faced allegations of harassment resigned.

The memo also laid out a series of steps the company planned on taking to prevent and combat harassment in the future, including increased training and improved harassment reporting procedures.

Steele is one of top several media figures accused of harassment who have left their posts in recent weeks following revelations of years-old harassment.

NPR senior news Vice President Michael Orezkes, veteran journalist Mark Halperin, and New Republic publisher Hamilton Fish have all faced numerous accusations of years of sexual harassment.

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