Women’s Group: Getting Rid Of Fager Is The Right Thing To Do But CBS Still Has A Long Way To Go
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, September 12, 2018
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Women’s Group: Getting Rid Of Fager Is The Right Thing To Do But CBS Still Has A Long Way To Go
After 36 years at CBS, “60 Minutes” Chief Jeff Fager is stepping down amidst seven allegations of sexual misconduct against him by former and current CBS employees.
“Jeff Fager is leaving the company effective immediately,” read a statement from CBS News president David Rhodes, which was released moments ago. Despite the allegations, Rhodes added, “this action today is not directly related to the allegations surfaced in press reports, which continue to be investigated independently. However, he violated company policy and it is our commitment to uphold those policies at every level.”
Earlier this year, Fager was put on leave, but allowed to return to the company as an investigation into his actions remains ongoing.
Shaunna Thomas, co-founder of UltraViolet, a leading national women’s group who called for Fager’s departure from the company earlier this week, issued the following response:
“Good riddance. But CBS gets no credit for dithering on getting rid of a sexual abuser, and then denying that his departure from the network was not associated with the allegations mounted against him.
“It should not have taken seven allegations from his former coworkers to get to this point. He should not have spent months still in his position while the company investigated his misconduct, putting CBS employees in danger. And certainly, his departure should be about the women who came forward with their stories of harassment by Fager–not merely about violating company policy.
“Getting rid of Fager was the right thing to do, but CBS must do better. If the network wants to show it takes sexual harassment and assault seriously, it must conduct a review of their sexual harassment prevention and reporting policies, thoroughly investigate every allegation made against Fager and Moonves, and release those findings publicly.”
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