Vice Media apologizes for 'boy's club' culture after New York Times report

Vice Media is apologizing for its "detrimental" workplace culture after a scathing investigation by the New York Times revealed pervasive allegations of sexual harassment.

"We have failed as a company to create a safe and inclusive workplace where everyone, especially women, can feel respected and thrive," said a statement released Saturday from Canadian Vice founders Shane Smith and Suroosh Alvi.

The Timesreported Saturday that it foundfour legal settlementsinvolving allegations of sexual harassment or defamation against Vice employees.

In addition, the investigation found that more than two dozen other women "had experienced or witnessed sexual misconduct at the company."

Vice has built a reputation for being cutting-edge in its approach to news coverage and journalism in an effort to appeal to a millennial audience. Much of its staff, including those in management positions, are considered younger than what might be found in traditional news organizations.

Vice Media apologizes for 'boy's club' culture after New York Times sexual harassment report

7 years ago

Duration 3:00

Vice Media co-founders Shane Smith and Suroosh Alvi have issued an apology following today's shocking New York Times report that includes dozens of accounts of workplace sexual harassment from current and former VICE employees

The articlehones in on the age factor, saying many of the men involved "came of age long after workplace harassment was not only taboo but outlawed."

Smith and Alvi sent a note to staff worldwide in response to the accusations, blaming ignorance, rapid growth and subsequent "dysfunction."

"Cultural elements from our past, dysfunction and mismanagement were allowed to flourish unchecked," the message said. "That includes a detrimental 'boy's club'culture that fostered inappropriate behaviour that permeated throughout the company.

"It happened on our watch, and ultimately we let far too many people down. We are truly sorry for this."

The company, which began as a Montreal-based counter-culture magazine in 1994 before branching out into a worldwide media organization, says it's making changes. Among them isa new advisory board that includes members such as feminist advocate Gloria Steinem andcommittingtoequal pay for men and womenby the end of 2018.

"We can no longer be part of the problem," the statement reads.

Journalists from The New York Times said they spoke with more than 100 current and former Vice employees for the story and examined more than 100 pages of documents. Allegations involved a range of misconduct including sexual and racial comments,propositions for sex and unwanted kissing.

The Times is also responsible for exposing sexual harassment allegations against Harvey Weinstein.