CBS, PBS Fire Charlie Rose over Sexual Allegations
SCIUTTO: Well, this just into CNN. Charlie Rose is now out at both CBS and PBS. The company says it's fired Rose as his job of co-host of the morning show. PBS has just announced it's terminating its contract with the broadcast legend. It comes after "The Washington Post" published a story based on interviews with eight women who accused Rose of making unwanted sexual advancements. The women either worked for or wanted to work for "The Charlie Rose Show." His co-hosts addressed it at the top of the show.</s>GAYLE KING, CHARLIE ROSE'S CO-HOST: I certainly echo that. I have to say, Norah, I really am still reeling. I got one hour and 42 minutes of sleep last night. Both my son and daughter called me. Oprah called me and said am, I OK, I am not OK. After reading that story in "The Post," it was troubling to read. The women who spoke up because they were afraid, I hope now they will take the steps to speak up to that this becomes a moment of truth. You know, I've enjoyed a friendship and partnership with Charlie for the past five years. I've held him in such high regard. And I'm struggling because what do you say, how do you say when someone that you deeply care about has done something that is so horrible. How do you wrap your brain around that? I'm really grappling with that. That said, Charlie does not get a pass here. He doesn't get a pass from anyone in this room. We're all deeply affected. We're all rocked by this.</s>SCIUTTO: I should note that Rose has apologized, said he's embarrassed by his behavior, but has added he does not believe all of the actions are true. The Washington Post" said, since the story's publication, more women have come forward with similar stories. I want to bring in Hadas Gold, CNN media reporter. Remarkable timing. "The Washington Post" report came out yesterday. Swift action by PBS and CBS since then?</s>HADAS GOLD, CNN MEDIA REPORTER: Exactly. Time moves at a different pace it feels though. You're right, both PBS and CBS have taken swift action, most of it surrounding Charlie Rose's show by PBS. CBS said they received no official complaints about his actions at CBS. Nonetheless, they did take action. This is from a memory that the president sent out, he said, "Despite Charlie's important journalist contribution to our news division, there is absolutely nothing more important in this or any organization than insuring safe and professional workplace. We need to be such a place". And PBS, just minutes ago, announced they're terminating their relationship with Charlie Rose, where a lot of these allegations took place around the show. They said, "In light of yesterday's revelations, PBS has terminated its relationship with Charlie Rose and cancelled distribution of his programs. PBS expects all the producers to be treated with dignity and respect." Clearly, companies moving very fast when these revelations come forward. We're in a new sort of world here where companies don't sit by anymore. People are losing jobs. Movies are changing. Kevin Spacey, the movie is being reshot, millions of dollars. It's a different environment right now.</s>SCIUTTO: CBS did not have any H.R. complaints about Rose. Did PBS say the same thing?</s>GOLD: In the statement, PBS did not specify whether it had such complaints. According to "The Washington Post" story, some of these stories were brought up with a supervisor of the show. We'll see more reporting on who knew what and where.</s>SCIUTTO: Shared responsibility or inaction. Hadas Gold, thank you very much. More breaking news. A historic moment. After decades in power, Zimbabwe's controversial president has been forced to resign. Celebrations, as you're seeing, erupting in the streets. We're going to take you there, live, right after this.