CBS suspends two senior executives after the LA Times reports alleging racism and misogyny

CBS suspends two senior executives after the LA Times reports alleging racism and misogyny

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Peter Dunn, president of CBS television stations, and David Friend, senior vice president of news for television stations, “have been placed on administrative leave pending the results of a third party investigation into issues including those recently raised in Los Angeles. Angeles Times Report, “said CBS in a statement shared with CNN Business.

“CBS is committed to a diverse, inclusive and respectful work environment, where all voices are heard, complaints are investigated and appropriate actions are taken when necessary,” the statement continued. The company declined to give details about the specific allegations.

On Sunday, The Times published an investigation led by media reporter Meg James about culture on CBS TV stations. Dunn has managed 28 CBS TV stations, which together have employed 2,800 workers since 2009, according to the article.

The Times investigation included allegations that Dunn disparaged female and black employees. Friend, who works closely with Dunn, reportedly participated in the conduct and was also accused of verbal abuse, according to The Times report.

In a statement to The Times, Friend said that CBS has “a strong track record” of hiring and supporting women and people of color.

“These comments that I may have made about our employees or possible hires were based only on performance or qualifications – not on anyone’s race or gender,” he said in the statement. Dunn declined to comment on the allegations to The Times.

CBS is no stranger to the scandal in recent years. CBS Chief Executive Les Moonves left the company in 2018 amid a series of sexual misconduct charges against him. Moonves admitted consensual relationships with three of the women cited in a New Yorker investigation, but he insisted that he never abused his power and said he can only assume that the allegations “are now emerging for the first time, decades later, as part of an agreement. others’ efforts to destroy my name, my reputation and my career. “

The Times reported that CBS hired two law firms to investigate allegations of sexual misconduct, but some officials were concerned that investigators had settled on Moonves and had not paid enough attention to other alleged abuses on TV stations. CBS told The Times: “In response to a CBS investigation in early 2019, senior management at the time discussed the situation with Mr. Dunn, and the company has not received any complaints about its conduct during the period since. “

The National Association of Black Journalists met with ViacomCBS executives on Sunday to discuss the charges.

“It is clear that there is a big problem between the stations owned and operated by CBS and, in order for the company’s culture to be transformed, this must begin with the dismissal of Dunn and Friend,” the NABJ said in a statement.

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