News and Commentary

Female Reporters Accuse Vice News Of ‘Toxic,’ ‘Unsafe’ Work Environment

   DailyWire.com

Several female reporters and editors told The Daily Beast, in an exclusive published on Wednesday, that Vice, the internet-based multi-media, non-traditional news company, is a “toxic” and “unsafe” place to work.

According to The Beast, the women — only a few of whom agreed to be named, because of outstanding non-disclosure agreements — accused the media company’s Los Angeles and New York bureaus of being “breeding grounds” for sexual harassment. Higher-ups at Vice, the women say, use the magazine’s offbeat brand to encourage bad behavior among its high-profile hosts and talent.

Former Vice associate producer Phoebe Barghouty gave The Daily Beast their most detailed narrative, explaining how bureau chief Kaj Larsen allegedly acted inappropriately, touching her on her back and thighs, and inviting her out to private parties where Barghouty claims he showed her off as “arm candy.”

Eventually Barghouty and one other women complained to human resources, but little was done except move Larsen and Vice Editor-in-Chief Jason Mojica, also accused of inappropriate behavior, around within the company. Barghouty says the magazine tried to hide behind its branding — that of an edgy, politically incorrect publication — to explain the alleged locker room atmosphere that pervaded Vice’s news bureaus.

The company even required new hires to sign a sort of blanket waiver agreement, acknowledging that they understood Vice could be a raucous place, and promising not to be offended.

Vice News issued a statement to The Beast, echoing the idea that Vice has a reputation for edginess that extends to their reporting and editorial staff, though the publication also says they do not tolerate sexual harassment, assault, and misuse of the “non-traditional workplace agreement.”

The nature of Vice’s content runs the gamut, from travelogues and news series to more provocative programming like our shows exploring drug culture, Weediquette and Bong Appétit. A non-traditional workplace agreement is often used by companies to certify employees’ comfort with content that could be considered edgy. However, it does not in any way sanction conduct that is disrespectful or biased, and we will investigate all allegations of such behavior, including any incidents where employees purportedly attempted to justify their conduct through the agreement. We have immediately begun reviewing this matter.

But Barghouty and others tell The Daily Beast that the behavior within the news bureaus went above and beyond mere political incorrectness, or “locker room talk.” They claim women who slept with their bosses and producers were promoted faster.

Other former Vice employees suggested on social media that the only reason the “toxic” and “unsafe” work environment wasn’t more well known was because employees who’d suffered were required to sign non-disclosure agreements and refrain from disparaging the network.

These allegations remain just that — allegations — but it’s become increasingly clear, over the past several weeks, that cultures of abuse are pervasive across media. Since the first accusations emerged against Harvey Weinstein, dozens of entertainment industry bigwigs have been targeted with sexual harassment claims, including higher-ups at places like NPR and Mother Jones.

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