Thread by @BuzzFeedNews

Don Hazen, the executive editor of left-leaning media outlet AlterNet, is being accused of sexual harassment by 5 women journalists

Some say he touched them inappropriately, made unwanted advances, sent explicit emails, and showed them explicit photos
buzzfeed.com/coralewis/don-…

Many of the women who spoke with BuzzFeed News said that the youngest, least experienced women — those with the fewest professional connections — were generally the primary targets of Hazen’s harassment

In one incident, a woman said that Hazen told her he had seen a picture of a woman who “looked just like her” — then showed her a photo of a naked porn star. She told at least 5 coworkers about the incident at the time or since, they confirmed

One woman had meetings with Hazen every few months at his request, she said. She called them her “mandatory sexual harassment meetings”

She said Hazen would hug and kiss her — despite her going for a handshake — and ask personal, explicit questions

Part of what was galling, the women said, was that Hazen had once fundraised for AlterNet on the strength of its women writers

“He went to funders and got grants intended for websites that promote gender equality"

After BuzzFeed News asked Hazen and the board of the Independent Media Institute, AlterNet’s non-profit parent, for comment, the board said Hazen was placed on “indefinite leave” as a result of the accusations.

“I deny most of [the] allegations," Hazan said in a statement.