United States: CFWIJ expresses concern over the hidden harassment of female journalist

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United States, January 20, 2021 -- The recently hired general manager of the Mets baseball team in New York, Jared Porter, has admitted to sending vulgar text messages to a female journalist in 2016. The journalist, who is not from the United States, chose to keep quiet as she feared backlash in her native country. The Coalition For Women in Journalism expresses concern over the case of harassment kept hidden for five years.

According to ESPN, as quoted by Reuters, Jared sent more than 60 text messages to the reporter, some of which included compliments and offers to meet her in person in different cities. Reuters states that another text included a photo of pants with a bulging groin area. 

It further read that the woman, who is not from the U.S., initially ignored the texts but was later sent a shockingly lewd photo. In an interview with ESPN, Jared admitted to sending the texts and also said, “The more explicit ones are not of me. Those are like, kinda like joke-stock images.”

An opinion piece in USA Today claimed Jared and his inappropriate behavior was the reason behind the woman leaving the field of journalism. The story reported that the woman left her job as a journalist, deciding to return to her native country.

The Mets issued a statement on the matter, saying Jared had previously apologized and that facts were under review regarding this “serious issue”. Hours after the statement was published, Jared Porter was fired from the Mets. 

Mets owner Steve Cohen confirmed the development and said, “...In my initial press conference I spoke about the importance of integrity and I meant it. There should be zero tolerance for this type of behaviour.”.

CFWIJ appreciates the action taken by the Mets’ administration but remains concerned over the lasting repercussions for the journalist whose career was compromised by Jared Porter’s lewd behavior.