CBS has put two top TV executives on leave following a report outlining allegations that they created a hostile work environment, including derogatory remarks about female and black employees.
The executives, Peter Dunn, the president of CBS television stations, and David Friend, the senior vice president of news for TV stations, have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of a third-party investigation, the company said in a statement on Monday. said. .
“CBS is committed to a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace where all voices are heard, demands are investigated and appropriate steps are taken where necessary,” the statement said. CBS declined further comment.
The suspensions came after The Los Angeles Times on Sunday published a report in which employees accused the managers of “bullying female managers and the attempts to hire and block black journalists.”
The newspaper reported that Mr. Dunn regularly denigrated a black news anchor at KYW, the CBS station in Philadelphia, calling him ‘just a jive guy’ and that at least four current and former female CBS executives said they were approached by Mr. Thin was bullied. between 2017 and 2019.
Dunn declined to comment to The Los Angeles Times on the allegations against him.
The newspaper’s report also said that several black journalists had left their positions at Philadelphia station, or that they had been approached by Mr. Dunn of mr.
In a statement to The Los Angeles Times, Mr. Friend said he and CBS stations have a good track record of hiring and supporting women and colored journalists. “These remarks I may have made about our employees or prospective arrests were based solely on performance or qualifications – not on anyone’s race or gender,” he said. Friend said.
Over the past few years, CBS has faced numerous scandals over the treatment of its employees, including at the company’s highest levels. His longtime CEO, Les Moonves, was forced into 2018 after several women accused him of sexual misconduct.
On Sunday, National Association of Black Journalists officials met with CBS officials and asked that Mr. Dunn and Mr. Friend should be fired.
The association said the issues set out in The Times’ investigation were not limited to just one station and had been heard from several CBS employees across the country.