Women’s Group: CBS’ Settlement with Eliza Dushku Proves the Network Has a Long Way to Go to Fix its Culture of Sexual Abuse
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, December 14, 2018
CONTACT: Brett Abrams | brett@unbendablemedia.com
Women’s Group: CBS’ Settlement with Eliza Dushku Proves the Network Has a Long Way to Go to Fix its Culture of Sexual Abuse
UltraViolet Urges CBS to Fire Michael Weatherly Immediately
Late last night, the New York Times reported that CBS paid actress Eliza Dushku $9.5 million to settle harassment claims against Michael Weatherly, a mainstay of CBS’ primetime lineup for 15 years and star of the drama ‘Bull.’ According to the story, after Dushku confronted Weatherly about inappropriate sexual comments, she was written off the show. Dushku believes her time on the show came to a sudden end as the result of retaliation. After mediation with CBS, the company agreed to pay her a confidential settlement of $9.5 million. Weatherly remains on the show.
Earlier this week, UltraViolet members protested outside CBS’ shareholder meeting in New York City, urging the Board of Directors to fire Moonves for cause and deny him an expected $120 million golden parachute.
In reaction to the news, Shaunna Thomas, co-founder and executive director of UltraViolet, a leading national women’s organization, issued the following statement:
“More sunlight on CBS’s backwards culture of covering up harassment and abuse is a good thing. It’s clear they have a lot of work ahead of them.
“The fact that CBS has continued to let Weatherly remain with the network, while sweeping his abuse under the rug, only puts other CBS employees’ safety at risk.
“CBS must immediately move to fire Michael Weatherly and send a clear example that sexual harassment and abuse will not be tolerated by anyone at the network – including both CEO’s and star actors’ alike. CBS should also install new leadership that will take harassment seriously and begin a comprehensive review of its sexual assault and harassment prevention and reporting policies and make the result of the investigation public.
“CBS can and must do better.”
In July, UltraViolet called on CBS’ Board of Directors to fire Les Moonves. In the past months, UltraViolet has:
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Penned a letter to the CBS Board of Directors asking them to void Moonves’ settlement package and fire him for cause.
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Called for the firing of 60 Minutes executive producer Jeff Fager
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Protested outside the CBS shareholder meeting in NYC calling on the Board of Directors to fire Moonves for cause and deny him a potential $120m golden parachute.
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