Marianne Combs has resigned her job from Minnesota Public Radio, MPR News, on 14 September 2020. She accused MPR News' management of covering for a DJ at its sister station 89.3, who is the target of sexual misconduct allegations. She wrote, 'My editors have failed to move forward on the story,' in her resignation letter after months of reporting.
Combs also wrote on her Twitter that she resigned from MPR News to show her continued support for the women who were the victims of sexual misconduct. 'Their stories matter, their trauma is real, and the issues their experiences raise are relevant to all women, as well as all parents,' Combs wrote.
(©: Twitter/MarianneCombs)
On the other hand, MPR responded that it was 'blindsided' by the resignation of Marianne Combs and also has sought a change from Combs to ensure the story met its journalistic standards. As per Marianne Combs:
"She gathered testimony from eight women who say that he sexually manipulated and psychologically abused them. Their experiences span fifteen years and describe a man who preyed on younger, sexually inexperienced women. These women encountered him while he was working at other local radio stations; they are concerned that he is now using his status as a DJ at The Current to attract and further torment young women."
However, she did not name the man who is accused of leading the sexual abuse.
Marianne Comb said that the MPR News' legal team cleared her story, but the editors would not air it, calling it as 'a real creep,' but worried that airing a story about his behavior would invite a lawsuit.'
Who Is Marianne Combs?
Marianne Combs is a Minnesota Public Radio reporter who resigned after serving for 23 years. She left on 14 September 2020. She has been in the journalism field for more than a couple of years since 1996.
She joined Minnesota Public Radio in March 1996 and started her job as a reporter. Similarly, she served as a Rural Health Educator at Peace Corps from January 1997 to June 2000.
Besides that, Combs was Producer, Word of Mouth and Radio Host, State of the Arts at Minnesota Public Radio for four years and nine months. Since October 2000, she began working as an Arts and Culture Reporter at Minnesota Public Radio until September 2020.