September 2, 2020, New York City, United States - Spectrum News NY1 managed by Charter Communications was under a notorious spotlight last year following allegations of sexist and ageist remarks towards senior female reporters of the channel. A new lawsuit filed by former NY1 senior producer, Karin Garfin points to “incessant sexual harassment” along with regular rude remarks about older female staff members at NY1.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism reported last month about the retaliatory behaviour against five women journalists who sued the network over age and gender discrimination. Roma Torre, Amanda Farinacci, Vivian Lee, Jeanine Ramirez, and Kristen Shaughness all claimed that they faced isolation and further intimidation by both the management and some other journalists following the lawsuit they initiated against the network which prevented them from getting promotions or important stories with the management favoring younger and less experienced women and men journalists. 

Karin Garfin, who worked on the news station's theater-focused "On Stage" show in the second half of 2017, lodged her suit in New York state court last Wednesday alleging her boss, executive producer Kevin Dugan, constantly badgered her with unwanted sexual advances and berated her when she refused them.

Charter Communications has denied those allegations, but Karin told the court that she regularly heard Dugan and other NY1 leadership liken veteran female anchors to "dinosaurs," disparage their appearances and plot to get rid of them in pursuit of a "new fresher look." 

Karin told during her deposition that she complained to Human Resources about the mistreatment but they sided with Dugan saying “that’s just Kevin being Kevin” and “It’s TV news and men talk like that”

According to the lawsuit Dugan also made disparaging remarks against prominent journalist Roma Torre who was battling with cancer saying “cancer aged her really ugly”. 

Such remarks by newsroom producers are not only hurtful, inhumane and outright rude but also the reaction of Human Resources makes one remember the “locker room” talk by US President Donald Trump. It is excruciatingly worrying that executives in decision-making positions can justify such language and behaviour in a way to paint all men as insensitive and vulgar.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is utterly dismayed that so many women journalists had to go through despicable workplace harassment under NY1’s management. We stand as witnesses with women’s voices and experiences and condemn that Karin Garfin was essentially forced to give up her dream job due to sexual harassment and vulgar language.