Barbara Walters

When Corey Feldman speaks on The View about sexual abuse suffered by young actors, Walters responds that by generalising his allegations he risks "damaging an entire industry". The exchange has been widely criticised as a defensive reaction to an abuse survivor speaking out.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

At age 15, Brooke Shields is questioned by Walters about her body, sexuality and the Calvin Klein advertisement that made her famous. Decades later, Shields describes the interview as extremely invasive and calls it "practically criminal" in a rhetorical sense.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

On The View, Walters strongly defends Woody Allen against renewed allegations by Dylan Farrow, relying in particular on what she says she has observed of his family behaviour. Her remarks are criticised as minimising Farrow's account.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Jenny McCarthy's arrival on The View prompts a strong reaction from doctors and commentators because of her statements linking vaccines to autism. Walters, the programme's co-creator, defends the hiring.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

After securing an interview with Bashar al-Assad with the help of Sheherazad Jaafari, Walters contacts acquaintances to help this regime associate seek employment and university admission in the United States. When these efforts are revealed, Walters acknowledges a conflict and apologises.

State of the evidence

Admitted by the person

Attribution

Personally implicated

During an interview in 2000, Walters presses Ricky Martin to respond to rumours about his sexual orientation. After the singer comes out, she acknowledges in 2010 that this line of questioning was inappropriate and that she regrets it.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Walters reveals in her memoirs that she had an affair in the 1970s with Edward Brooke, a married Republican senator. Both feared that disclosure at the time would seriously damage their careers.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Following the announcement of Star Jones's departure from The View, Jones claims she was fired and pressured to present her departure as voluntary. Walters confirms that a gentler account had been prepared to protect Jones, then publicly criticises the way Jones pre-empted the announcement.

State of the evidence

Documented