CBS put two top TV executives on leave after a report detailing accusations that they created a hostile work environment, including derogatory comments about black women and employees.
The executives, Peter Dunn, president of CBS television stations, and David Friend, senior vice president of news for TV stations, have been placed on administrative leave pending the results of a third party investigation, the company said in a statement on Monday. .
“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,” according to the statement. CBS declined to comment further.
The suspensions came after the Los Angeles Times published a story on Sunday in which officials accused executives of “intimidating managers and blocking efforts to hire and retain black journalists”.
The newspaper reported that Dunn frequently denigrated a Black News anchor at KYW, the CBS station in Philadelphia, calling him “just a guy” and that at least four former CBS executives said they were bullied by Dunn between 2017 and 2019.
Dunn declined to comment to The Los Angeles Times about the charges against him.
The newspaper report also said that several black journalists left their positions at the Philadelphia station or were prevented by Dunn or a friend from being hired.
In a statement to the Los Angeles Times, Mr. Friend said he and CBS stations had a strong record of hiring and supporting black women and journalists. “These comments I may have made about our employees or possible hires were based only on performance or qualifications – not on anyone’s race or gender,” said Mr. Friend.
In recent years, CBS has faced numerous scandals about the treatment of its employees, including at the highest levels of the company. His longtime chief executive, Les Moonves, was forced to leave in 2018 after several women accused him of sexual misconduct.
On Sunday, officials from the National Association of Black Journalists met with CBS officials and asked that Dunn and his friend be fired.
The association said that the issues detailed in The Times’ investigation were not limited to one station and that it listened to several CBS employees across the country.