On Sunday's NBC Nightly News, on display was the latest example of liberal journalists conspicuously ignoring accusations of sexual assault against President Bill Clinton even while going all the way back 26 years to include sexual harassment charges against Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
NBC correspondent and MSNBC host Stephanie Ruhle filed a three-minute full report about the issue of sexual harassment of women in the workplace in light of recent accusations against film maker Harvey Weinstein and other high-profile perpetrators.
After beginning the report by focusing on women like waitresses who work with the public, Ruhle turned to men in the public arena as images of Weinstein and former FNC host Bill O'Reilly were shown: "Another high-risk area, a workplace where a so-called superstar is at the helm. Recent allegations from Hollywood and media to the halls of power in Washington."
After playing a clip of President Donald Trump's infamous Access Hollywood tape from 2005, Ruhle continued:
The attitude expressed by President Trump to Billy Bush in that famous 2005 Access Hollywood incident raised the issue of pubic figures abusing their power. One in four women say they've experienced sexual harassment at work -- in all industries and occupations. That number jumps to 60 percent if you include sexist or crude language.
After citing polls on what percentage of women report sexual harassment in the workplace, the report then jumped back in time 26 years and included soundbites from the Thomas Senate hearings from 1991:
ANITA HILL, ACCUSER OF SUPREME COURT JUSTICE CLARENCE THOMAS: Thomas told me graphically of his own sexual prowess.
RUHLE: In 1991, people thought this was the watershed moment for change when Anita Hill spoke out against Supreme Court Justice nominee Clarence Thomas -- charges he denied.
SUPREME COURT JUSTICE CLARENCE THOMAS: I did not make these statements or do these things.
The NBC correspondent did not seem to find relevant enough to mention any of the many accusations of sexual harassment or assault that involved Bill Clinton using his stature as a public figure as Arkansas's state attorney general and then governor, and then as President.
Last April, NBC's Stephanie Gosk on the Today show similarly included Justice Thomas and President Trump, but not President Clinton, in a report about accusations against FNC's O'Reilly.
Below is a complete transcript of the report from the Sunday, October 29, NBC Nightly News:
KATE SNOW: When it comes to sexual harassment in the workplace, it's not just a problem in Hollywood and Washington. As more women are speaking out about their personal experiences, we're finding it's a pervasive issue impacting every industry. Stephanie Ruhle now with a look at this widespread problem and what companies can do to prevent it.
ERICA TOMAFSKY, WAITRESS: I've been asked do I have a boyfriend -- I've been asked what time do I finish work.
STEPHANIE RUHLE: For waitress Erica Tomafsky, it's just part of the job. On an average Saturday night -- that's the biggest money-making night of the week -- how many times do you think you get harassed?
TOMAFSKY: On an average, about two to three.
RUHLE: Working in a customer service industry means you're at higher risk for sexual harassment.
BILL O'REILLY, FORMER FNC ANCHOR: No, I'm not even bothering with that.
RUHLE: Another high-risk area, a workplace where a so-called superstar is at the helm. Recent allegations from Hollywood and media to the halls of power in Washington.
DONALD TRUMP, FROM ACCESS HOLLYWOOD IN 2005: When you're a star, they let you do it. You can do anything.
RUHLE: The attitude expressed by President Trump to Billy Bush in that famous 2005 Access Hollywood incident raised the issue of pubic figures abusing their power. One in four women say they've experienced sexual harassment at work -- in all industries and occupations. That number jumps to 60 percent if you include sexist or crude language.
VICTORIA LIPNIC, U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION: It's very pervasive. It's blue-collar -- it's white-collar. It's differing income levels. It is literally every day, everywhere.
RUHLE: And researchers say harassment is underreported
LIPNIC: Upwards of 75 percent of women do not report it.
ANITA HILL, ACCUSER OF SUPREME COURT JUSTICE CLARENCE THOMAS: Thomas told me graphically of his own sexual prowess.
RUHLE: In 1991, people thought this was the watershed moment for change when Anita Hill spoke out against Supreme Court Justice nominee Clarence Thomas -- charges he denied.
SUPREME COURT JUSTICE CLARENCE THOMAS: I did not make these statements or do these things.
RUHLE: Still, sexual harassment has remained a constant problem. Kate, I mean, when you think about this, it effects all sorts of industries and all sorts of businesses. And companies out there -- big and small -- can do something about it. They can put in place sexual harassment training policies. Their employees should know this is acceptable and unacceptable behavior. And managers should know here's what people need to do to come forward. If you're a victim, you should know in your company who you can go to.
And you should know that your privacy is protected. And at the top of the company, even if it's a small business, the leaders have to get involved. And you have to train your employees. You and I always worked at big companies. We know what sexual harassment training is. But imagine if you worked in hospitality or a restaurant. A restaurant should know. They need to train their employees for exactly what they could face -- all the employees -- even if you're a bystander.
KATE SNOW: And good that we're all having this conversation. Stephanie, thanks very much.
