Calls for public radio president Laura Walker to resign after 'cowardly' response to sex harassment claims
Laura Walker
New York Public Radio (NYPR) president Laura Walker  told WNYC radio host Brian Lehrer in an on-air interview Tuesday that  she  "deeply regret[s]" the way  her  media organization handled reported allegations of sexual harassment against one of its top personalities  as some WNYC members threatened to stop donating to the radio station and called for  her  ouster.
The latest bombshell report to rock the liberal radio network  published Friday in New York Magazine  said NPR journalist John Hockenberry had sexually harassed and and bullied colleagues for years before he retired  seemingly out of the blue  in August. The article's author  Suki Kim  said she reported her experiences working with Hockenberry to  Walker  in February  long before the tidal wave of sexual harassment stories  starting with Harvey Weinstein  began.
"Every day for the last several weeks I have asked myself whether we took enough action "  Walker  said. "I apologize to ... the women who came forward. I have a huge amount of admiration and respect for these women."
 Walker  said  she  cannot comment on specific cases  however  including Hockenberry's.
"I can't comment on what action was taken but it was taken seriously  and we did take some action "  she  said.
 Walker  added  she  is now working with outside council to review the way NYPR handles sexual harassment claims.
 Walker 's plea for forgiveness wasn't enough for many listeners who called for  her  to step down.
" Walker 's behavior is cowardly and  her  responses during the interview embodied the kind of passive apathy which perpetuates harassment and bullying in the workplace " one Twitter user wrote.
 Walker 's behavior is cowardly and  her  responses during the interview embodied the kind of passive apathy which perpetuates harassment and bullying in the workplace. As a woman and a journalist  I can no longer donate to WNYC in good conscience. â Erica Block (@EricaDaleBlock) December 5  2017
Another tweeted  "After listening to Brian discuss the John Hockenberry issue yesterday and  Laura Walkerâs  responses today  I find  her  statements lame.  She  admits  she  knew about it long ago. We are sustaining members and I feel that we need a change in top management."
After listening to Brian discuss the John Hockenberry issue yesterday and  Laura Walkerâs  responses today  I find  her  statements lame.  She  admits  she  knew about it long ago. We are sustaining members and I feel that we need a change in top management. â alan brown (@alancbrownmd) December 5  2017
New York Public Radio (NYPR [TGT] told WNYC radio host Brian Lehrer in an on-air interview Tuesday that   [TGT]   "deeply regret[s]" the way   [TGT]   media organization handled reported allegations of sexual harassment against one of its top personalities  as some WNYC members threatened to stop donating to the radio station and called for   [TGT]   ouster.
The latest bombshell report to rock the liberal radio network  published Friday in New York Magazine  said NPR journalist John Hockenberry had sexually harassed and and bullied colleagues for years before he retired  seemingly out of the blue  in August. The article's author  Suki Kim  said she reported her experiences working with Hockenberry to  Walker  in February  long before the tidal wave of sexual harassment stories  starting with Harvey Weinstein  began.
"Every day for the last several weeks I have asked myself whether we took enough action "  Walker  said. "I apologize to ... the women who came forward. I have a huge amount of admiration and respect for these women."
 Walker  said  she  cannot comment on specific cases  however  including Hockenberry's.
"I can't comment on what action was taken but it was taken seriously  and we did take some action "  she  said.
 Walker  added  she  is now working with outside council to review the way NYPR handles sexual harassment claims.
 Walker 's plea for forgiveness wasn't enough for many listeners who called for  her  to step down.
" Walker 's behavior is cowardly and  her  responses during the interview embodied the kind of passive apathy which perpetuates harassment and bullying in the workplace " one Twitter user wrote.
 Walker 's behavior is cowardly and  her  responses during the interview embodied the kind of passive apathy which perpetuates harassment and bullying in the workplace. As a woman and a journalist  I can no longer donate to WNYC in good conscience. â Erica Block (@EricaDaleBlock) December 5  2017
Another tweeted  "After listening to Brian discuss the John Hockenberry issue yesterday and   [TGT] responses today  I find   [TGT]   statements lame.   [TGT]   admits   [TGT]   knew about it long ago. We are sustaining members and I feel that we need a change in top management."
After listening to Brian discuss the John Hockenberry issue yesterday and   [TGT] responses today  I find   [TGT]   statements lame.   [TGT]   admits   [TGT]   knew about it long ago. We are sustaining members and I feel that we need a change in top management. â alan brown (@alancbrownmd) December 5  2017