Fox News’ former chief Washington correspondent, James Rosen, left the network suddenly in late December after an 18-year career. According to NPR, it is likely that his departure is a consequence of alleged scrutiny he was facing at work — specifically sexual harassment allegations.
“The network cited no reason for Rosen's exit and did not announce it on the air. According to Rosen's former colleagues, however, he had an established pattern of flirting aggressively with many peers and had made sexual advances toward three female Fox News journalists, including two reporters and a producer. And his departure followed increased scrutiny of his behavior at the network, according to colleagues,” David Folkenflik wrote in the NPR story.
Fox News didn’t respond immediately to Salon’s request for comment.
NPR reports on allegations that date back to 2001, including the following anecdote:
In the winter following the September 2001 terrorist attacks, a female Fox News reporter joined the bureau from New York. In a shared cab ride back from a meal, Rosen groped her, grabbing her breast. After she rebuffed his advance, Rosen sought to steal away her sources and stories related to his interests in diplomacy and national security. That's according to four colleagues who say she relayed the episode as a warning about Rosen's behavior.
Last spring, Rosen also allegedly tried to kiss a younger female reporter in the elevator, and once she declined, he allegedly tried to “forcibly to kiss her again.”
“According to a colleague, he then asked the reporter to keep the approach quiet and offered her unsolicited help in getting more time on Bret Baier's nightly political newscast, Special Report. The female reporter declined to comment for this story,” Folkenflik writes.
Rosen has been quiet since his departure from the network. On Jan. 2, he thanked fans on Twitter for the best wishes regarding his exit.
The allegations toward Rosen can be added to the long list of assorted harassment allegations former network employees have faced.
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