Women’s Group Slams NBC’s ‘Deeply Disturbing’ Decision to Renew President Noah Oppenheim’s Contract Amid Weinstein, Lauer Allegations

The women’s group Ultra Violet has condemned Comcast for its decision to renew the contract of Noah Oppenheim, president of NBC News. The group criticized the move because Oppenheim is at the center of a controversy involving allegations of sexual assault relating to Harvey Weinstein and Matt Lauer.

The group said in a statement that the contract renewal was ‘a big mistake’ and called Oppenheim a ‘top executive that enabled abusers and silenced survivors.”

“It is deeply disturbing that Comcast CEO Brian Roberts would show such poor judgment and renew its contract with Noah Oppenheim knowing full well that he was facing allegations of enabling sexual abusers in the workplace and had a record of silencing survivors and stories of survivors in the newsroom,” said Shauna Thomas, executive director and co-founder of Ultra Violet.

“The rot at Comcast clearly goes to the top – with the media giant caring more about short-term profits than about protecting its employees and safeguarding long-term shareholder value.”

“This is a mistake that Comcast and NBC Universal will regret,” Thomas said.

Former media mogul Weinstein and NBC News anchor Lauer are accused of serious acts of sexual assault. It is alleged that Oppenheim and other NBC executives interfered in the reporting of allegations against Weinstein and knew about Lauer’s behavior. NBC executives have denied this.