Lauer was fired Wednesday after a colleague filed sexual harassment claims against the 59-year-old Monday. According to an exclusive Variety report published hours after Lauer hit the chopping block, the veteran journalist went as far as exposing himself and gifting sex toys to his female colleagues.
In many cases, including that of Lauer, colleagues said that everyone knew about the sexual harassment environment going on behind the scenes in the newsroom, but ultimately feared repercussions to their careers if they spoke out.
Reflecting on the matter at hand, Christopher Chambers, a journalism professor at Georgetown University, tells Sputnik News that due to the rise in sexual harassment claims, "companies will have no choice" but to change their ways on how to better handle allegations.
"Some are taking the academia model, at least in the US based on our Title IX law, and taking it out of human resources entirely," says Chambers, adding that though it may not be the best option, some organizations may go the route of including a stipulation in contracts.
But the future of journalism is a tough one to dissect, says Chambers, especially when one considers the link it has the political realm.
"It's going to be tough to keep a watchful eye on journalism and the media/entertainment sector when the political remains rife with abuse, especially when so much of the news is tied to partisan politics as another facet of the business model."
The former "Today" anchor is the latest high-profile media figure to be accused of sexual harassment. He follows the likes of media figures such as Charlie Rose and Bill O'Reilly and politicians such as Al Franken, Roy Moore, and John Conyers.
