PinkNews faces serious allegations of misconduct and bullying, shaking its foundation and raising questions about its leadership
London: So, there’s a big mess going on at PinkNews, the LGBTQ+ news site. It all started when a BBC documentary dropped, revealing some serious allegations against its founder, Benjamin Cohen, and his husband, Dr. Anthony James.
Back in 2005, Cohen launched PinkNews, and it was a game-changer. Fast forward nearly 20 years, and things have taken a turn. The documentary featured interviews with over 30 current and former staffers, and the claims are pretty shocking—allegations of sexual misconduct and bullying are at the center of it all.
One former employee even said they saw James getting cozy with someone at a work party when that person was too drunk to consent. Cohen’s also facing accusations of inappropriate touching. Yikes! James has already been removed from his NHS role while they investigate.
After staying quiet for a bit, Cohen and James are now fighting back, saying the allegations are false and malicious. They’ve even reported criminal offenses against them to the police, claiming the BBC misled the public about their response.
Since the documentary aired, more former employees have come forward with complaints. It seems like the atmosphere at PinkNews is pretty tense, with many staffers feeling miserable and wanting change at the top.
People are saying Cohen isn’t exactly the most approachable boss. One former employee shared a story about Cohen touching him inappropriately at a Christmas party, which is just not cool. Others have mentioned Cohen’s insistence on running more sensational stories instead of serious ones, which has left many feeling uneasy.
Now, staff members are speaking out, but it’s not easy for them. They’re worried about their jobs and the backlash. Cohen and James, on the other hand, are claiming they’re victims too, saying the police are investigating some online harassment against them.
It’s a tough situation for everyone involved, and it’s clear that PinkNews needs to address these issues head-on if it wants to move forward.