Claims Against Charlie Rose Provoke Duke To Rescind Award

CHARLOTTE, NC -- Two weeks after veteran journalist Charlie Rose was fired by two major television networks following sexual misconduct claims, Duke University has revoked a prestigious journalism award.

The school’s decision to take back the Futrell Award, bestowed through the university’s DeWitt Wallace Center for Media & Democracy, marks the first time ever it has been rescinded, according to program director Bill Adair. “I have consulted with students, faculty and staff and found an overwhelming consensus that we should take this action and emphasize that the DeWitt Wallace Center does not tolerate sexual harassment in any form,” Adair said in a statement Dec. 4.

Rose, who was longtime host of “Charlie Rose” on PBS and a co-host on “CBS This Morning,” was fired Nov. 20 after a report in The Washington Post accusing him of sexual harassment. The behaviors described in the Post ranged from groping, inappropriate touching and appearing nude in front of women.

Adair cited the report as the basis for revoking the journalism honor meant to exemplify the spirit of journalistic integrity.

“Rose, who met with our journalism graduates when he visited Duke last year, was famous for his thoughtful questions and his gentlemanly approach,” Adair said. “But the thoroughly reported Post story, which Rose himself has substantially confirmed with his apology, makes clear that he used his status to prey on women who worked for him.”

Watch: Charlie Rose fired by CBS over sexual harassment allegations

Photo by Carolyn Kaster/Associated Press