CBS board of directors assembles to discuss CEO Leslie Moonves’ fate
The board of directors at CBS are to convene after allegations of sexual harassment were levied against its chief, Leslie Moonves.
CBS' board of directors have assembled to discuss how to address sexual harassment allegations against CEO Leslie Moonves
The accusations were levied against the longtime head of CBS this past weekend through a Ronan Farrow-penned New Yorker piece, where six women came forward to discuss inappropriate jokes and sexual advances made to them. The company itself was accused by 30 current and former employees of allowing these and similar behaviors to exist throughout the company.
The board of directors at CBS is expected to meet today amid allegations of sexual harassment against chairman and CEO Leslie Moonves. Four women accused Moonves of forcibly touching or kissing.@annawerner looks at the accusations against Moonves. https://t.co/uMo5GFhoO0 pic.twitter.com/REAda4abZd
— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) July 30, 2018
Moonves' stated response to the accusations: "Throughout my time at CBS, we have promoted a culture of respect and opportunity for all employees, and have consistently found success elevating women to top executive positions across our company. I recognize that there were times decades ago when I may have made some women uncomfortable by making advances.
"Those were mistakes, and I regret them immensely. But I always understood and respected — and abided by the principle — that ‘no’ means ‘no,’ and I have never misused my position to harm or hinder anyone’s career."
The Hollywood Reporter reported that Terry Press, head of CBS Films, issued a post on her Facebook page calling the accusations ‘difficult to reconcile.’
“As a fan of The New Yorker it is difficult to reconcile the portrait put forth in that piece with the man who I know today as honorable, compassionate, and a big booster of women inside CBS. As is often the case, this kind of story generates as many questions as answers," she said.
“I do not believe that it is my place to question the accounts put forth by the women but I do find myself asking that if we are examining the industry as it existed decades before through the lens of 2018 should we also discuss a path to learning, reconciliation, and forgiveness?”
CBS has already faced a scandal in recent months, former morning show anchor Charlie Rose was dismissed from his role at the broadcaster after multiple women made public accusations.