[ad_1]
Jeff Fager is leaving his position as longtime producer of 60 minutes.
"Jeff Fager leaves the company immediately. Bill Owens will lead the 60 Minutes team under the name of Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews and I start looking for a new executive producer of the program. 60 Minutes is the most important news broadcast on television. We are fortunate to have incredibly talented journalists in place who, we know, will continue to do our investigative work, "said CBS News President David Rhodes in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.
The statement continues: "This action today is not directly related to allegations made in press articles, which continue to be the subject of an independent investigation. However, it has violated company policy and our commitment to respect these policies at all levels. Joe Ianniello fully supports this decision and the upcoming transition. "
According to a 63-year-old press release from Fager, the executive producer does not believe that the reasoning behind his dismissal after 36 years was valid.
"The decision of the company has nothing to do with the false allegations printed in New Yorker. Instead, they terminated my contract earlier because I sent an SMS to one of our CBS reporters demanding that it be fair by covering the story, "he said. Fager said in a statement tweeted by a reporter. Washington Post journalist.
His statement continued: "My language was hard and, despite the fact that journalists constantly receive severe demands for fairness, CBS did not like it. Such a rating should not result in termination after 36 years, but it has been. "
In other New Yorker Profile published Sunday, journalist Ronan Farrow reviewed allegations of sexual misconduct against former president and CEO of CBS, Leslie "The Moonves", CBS and Fager.
In the room, Fager was accused of improperly touching employees. "Last month, six former employees said that Jeff Fager, the 60 minutes the executive producer and former president of CBS News, touched employees at company parties, which made them feel uncomfortable. Others said the Fager was protecting men accused of misconduct, including men who were reported to him, "reported the New Yorker.
"In a speech to staff last month after his return from vacation, Mr. Fager responded to the allegations. In a statement for this story, Fager said, "I encouraged everyone to 60 minutes talk to lawyers examining our culture in the hope that all of our staff would have a voice and that the truth would be revealed in our workplace. This was the focus of my interview with the staff when we returned from vacation because I believe that a fair and open investigation will determine 60 minutes is a good place where talented women and men can flourish and produce some of the best broadcast stories in America. " New Yorker reported.
Jeff Fager
CBS this morning / YouTube
"The original allegations also included allegations from nineteen current and former employees that Fager had tolerated harassment in the division", according to New Yorker. "A number of people have described the environment at 60 minutes under the direction of Fager as "a house of fraternity".
RELATED VIDEO: The Moonves, CEO of CBS, accused of sexual misconduct by 6 women, including actress Illeana Douglas
The same day New Yorker profile was released, the network announced that Moonves was leaving CBS.
"Over the last 24 years, bringing about the renaissance and transformation of CBS as a global media leader has been an incredible privilege. The best part of this trip was working alongside the dedicated and talented people of this company. Together, we built CBS in a destination where the best in the industry get to work and succeed, "said Moonves, 68. Variety. "Misleading claims made decades ago are now being brought against me and are not compatible with who I am. As of now, I will no longer be President and CEO of CBS. I am deeply saddened to leave the company. I only wish the best for the organization, the new board of directors and all its employees. "
CBS and Moonves "will donate $ 20 million to one or more organizations that support the #MeToo movement and the equality of women in the workplace," CBS said, adding that the donation will be made immediately.
The Moonves
Chelsea Lauren / Variety / REX / Shutterstock
"Moonves will not receive any severance pay for the time being (except for certain benefits and benefits acquired and fully vested)," said the network, explaining that any future payments will depend on investigations into allegations against Moonves and board approval.
Moonves will be temporarily replaced by chief operating officer Joseph Ianniello, the network said.
Source link
