CBS suspends two executives accused of racist and sexist conduct

CBS has put two senior television executives on leave after a report detailing accusations they created a hostile work environment, including making derogatory remarks about female and black employees.

Executives Peter Dunn, chairman of CBS television, and David Friend, senior vice president of news for the television stations, have been placed on administrative leave pending the results of a third-party investigation, announced Monday the company in a press release. .

“CAS is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace where all voices are heard, complaints are investigated and appropriate action taken when necessary,” the statement said. CBS declined further comments.

The suspensions came after the Los Angeles Times published a report on Sunday in which employees accused executives “of intimidating female executives and of blocking efforts to hire and retain black journalists.”

The newspaper reported that Mr. Dunn frequently disparaged a black news anchor at KYW, the Philadelphia CBS station, calling him “just a jive guy” and that at least four current and former CBS female executives said they had intimidated by Mr Dunn between 2017 and 2019.

Mr. 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 either left their posts at the Philadelphia train station or were prevented by Mr. Dunn or Mr. Friend from being hired.

In a statement to the Los Angeles Times, Mr. Friend said he and CBS stations have a solid track record in hiring and supporting women and journalists of color. “These comments I may have made about our employees or potential hires were based solely on performance or qualifications – not on anyone’s race or gender,” Friend said.

In recent years, CBS has faced numerous scandals regarding the treatment of its employees, including at the highest levels of the company. Its longtime chief executive, Les Moonves, was kicked out in 2018 after several women accused him of sexual misconduct.

Officials from the National Association of Black Journalists met with CBS officials on Sunday and called for Mr. Dunn and Mr. Friend to be fired.

The association said the issues detailed in the Times investigation were not confined to a single station and that it had heard from several CBS employees across the country.