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NEW YORK (REUTERS) – US Broadcasting and Media Company CBS Corp announced that it was investigating allegations of malpractice by its chief executive Leslie Moonves in an article in New Yorker magazine published Friday, July 27 .
The allegations against Mr. Moonves surfaced while he was engaged in a legal battle against the control of CBS with the company's largest shareholder, National Amusements Inc., owned by Mrs. Shari Redstone and her father Sumner , which also controls the Viacom media company. Yorker's report filed claims against Mr. Moonves of six women spanning different periods for two decades, from 1985 to 2006. The allegations included sexual assault and unwanted advances.
Reuters could not independently verify the charges against Mr. Moonves. I recognize that there are dozens of years ago, I may have made some women uncomfortable by making advances, "Moonves said in a statement sent by email to Reuters
. I make mistakes, and I regret them a lot, "said Mr. Moonves. "But I have always understood and respected – and respected the principle – that" no "means" no ", and that I have never abused my position to harm or hinder the career of anyone. "One is a time when we all focus on helping improve our society, and we at CBS are committed to being part of the solution."
One of the women in history has been identified as the actress Illeana Douglas. Danny Deraney, Douglas's publicist, confirmed her comments in the report.
"Real Change Will Happen When Victims of Sexual Abuse Will Not Be Stigmatized as Whistleblowers, or People with Any Agenda to Show Up" "
" As far as I'm concerned, a real change will happen when I can walk through the doors of CBS and resume the creative and work relationship that was so tragically interrupted in 1997, "she added.
New Yorker, 30 current and former CAS employees described harassment, sexual discrimination or retaliation for refusing sexual advances to the company.
CBS said in a statement that it takes every report of misconduct very seriously. Our company created in The New Yorker represents a larger organization that does its best to treat its tens of thousands of employees with dignity and respect. "
Earlier Friday, before New Yorker's article COMBINING WITH VIACOM
Mr. Moonves, 68, joined CBS in 1995 as president of CBS Entertainment and has been CEO since 2006. He has been instrumental in making CBS one of the most successful US media companies.
Mr. Moonves opposed Ms. Shari Redstone earlier this year to merge CBS with Viacom Inc., also owned by National Amusements, Mr. Moonves resisted this agreement as he believed that CBS's prospects were better without addressing the challenges of Viacom's turnaround.
CBS Board of Directors rejected merger Potential with Viacom and sued National Amusements Redstone challenges CBS's plan to distribute a special dividend to reduce National Amusements' voting power from 80% to 17%.
Trial in court of Delaware should begin in October. 19659002] Before the publication of the story, a spokesman for National Amusements Inc. said: "(Shari) Redstone hopes that the investigation into these allegations is thorough, open and transparent."
The spokesman declined to comment further.
Combining CBS, which owns cable networks, including Showtime as well as CBS TV Network and CBS TV Studios, with Viacom, whose operations include Paramount Pictures, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and MTV, would have more negotiations Viacom shares ended up 4.5% higher at $ 29.35 (US $ 39.97) on Friday, while CBS shares closed down about 6% to $ 54.01 US, investors speculating
#METOO SOCIAL MEDIA MOVEMENT
Multiple accusations of sexual misconduct against American politicians, business leaders and artists have been brought during the past year, leading to resignations, often inspired. by the social movement #MeToo.
Charlie Rose, 76, a veteran television journalist, was fired by CBS in November after being accused by more than 10 women of sexual misconduct. Mr. Rose apologized for inappropriate behavior but questioned the accuracy of some accounts. Mr. Moonves has been married since 2004 to Ms. Julie Chen, a news presenter and host on the British television channel.
Ms. Chen tweeted Friday that she was standing alongside Mr. Moonves and that he was "good man and a loving father, devoted husband and inspiring company leader".
The author of the New Yorker article, Mr. Ronan Farrow, previously wrote reports that contributed to the resignation of the film Harvey Weinstein
More than 70 women, mostly actresses and other women employed in film, accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct, including rape, in a series of incidents dating back several decades.
Weinstein denied the accusations.
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