Moonves’ downfall: #MeToo breakthrough?
Praised by CBS in announcement, may get $120 mil.
NEW YORK — Is Les Moonves’ departure from CBS a breakthrough for the #MeToo movement?
While he is the most powerful CEO brought down yet by sexual misconduct allegations over the past year, CBS is facing criticism for not pushing him out sooner, for thanking him in its announcement and for offering him a potential $120 million in severance.
Others say his downfall still serves as a warning that even the most powerful bosses cannot hide. And some prominent activists cautiously welcomed the announcement that CBS plans to make a $20 million donation to organizations that support #MeToo.
“I think a lot of people will wrestle with this. On one hand, it will show awareness and acknowledgment of fault. On the other hand, is a donation enough in terms of reparations? Can decades of abuse be repaired and forgiven?” said Amanda Nguyen, founder and CEO of Rise, a nonprofit organization that promotes the rights of victims of sexual violence.
“Additionally, Mr. Moonves is still potentially walking away with nearly $120 million. This is still placing more value on a man who abused his position of power than on the survivors fighting for justice and systemic changes.”
Moonves was among the most highly paid executives in the nation, making a total of nearly $140 million over the last two years. Whether he sees any severance money hinges on the outcome of an investigation being led by outside lawyers hired by CBS. Moonves has denied any wrongdoing.
CBS said he will not get the money if the board of directors determines he was dismissed for cause. That decision may not come for months. But #MeToo activists have made it clear that CBS will be judged on the transparency of that investigation.
Time’s Up, a movement against sexual harassment created by Hollywood celebrities last year, wrote an open letter calling on CBS’ overhauled board of directors urging “long-term structural changes from top to bottom.”
“You can cling to a status quo as it crumbles around you,” the letter said. “Or you can demonstrate what happens when true leadership embraces the future.
Moonves’ departure was announced Sunday, hours after The New Yorker published the second of two stories detailing allegations from about two dozen women, including forced oral sex, groping and retaliation if they resisted him.
In announcing Moonves’ departure, CBS thanked him for his 24 years of service and achievements. Pending the results of the investigation, CBS said Moonves will stay on as an adviser to ensure a smooth transition, receiving security and office services. And it was unclear whether the report on the allegations would ever be made public.
Still undetermined is the fate of Jeff Fager, executive producer of “60 Minutes,” who is being investigated over allegations he condoned a hostile atmosphere for women.
Toni Van Pelt, president of the National Organization for Women, said CBS has shown no indication that it is “ending the culture that allowed Moonves to thrive. That hasn’t ended.”
“The fact that they are still talking about giving him a payment is appalling,” Van Pelt said.
On “CBS This Morning,” news anchor Gayle King called on the results of the investigation to be made public, saying she couldn’t see “how we move forward if we at CBS don’t have full transparency.”