‘CBS Has a White Problem’: Executive Blasts Toxic Culture at Network in Explosive Letter

variety.com ^ | 4/23/19 | By Whitney Davis

[GrandJediMasterYoda]

‘CBS Has a White Problem’: Executive Blasts Toxic Culture at Network in Explosive Letter

Last year, CBS hired two white-shoe law firms to conduct an independent investigation into alleged misconduct by then-CEO Leslie Moonves, as well as broader cultural issues at CBS. Writing for Variety, Whitney Davis — a veteran of the company’s news and entertainment divisions — describes how the investigation prompted her to reconsider her nearly decade-and-a-half career at CBS.

In February, I decided to part ways with CBS, the corporation where I began my media career and most recently served as director of entertainment diversity and inclusion. Last fall, when sexual-misconduct allegations against then-CEO Leslie Moonves prompted an outside investigation into the CBS workplace culture, I assumed that all forms of discrimination would be delved into. The attorneys I spoke with did not lead me to believe otherwise. I was eager to tell my story and grateful that two independent law firms were brought in to conduct interviews with several hundred employees. By sharing my experience, I hoped to shed desperately needed light on the truth that CBS, sadly, doesn’t value a diverse workplace.

After an initial interview with one investigator, I talked to six attorneys from both firms, detailing my experience at the company. In that heart-wrenching two-hour interview, I talked about a workplace fraught with systemic racism, discrimination and sexual harassment.

[HandBasketHell]

Wait a minute...we’ve been told for years that republicans are the ones who are bigoted, homophobic, xenophobic, and sexist. So I guess all these white CBS execs must be republicans!

[Zhang Fei]

[Ha ha she has to be lying, we all know liberals are the most tolerant, respectful, non-racist, non-sexist people alive.]

---

I’m sure they’re all of the above. But quota blacks like the author don’t think that’s enough - they want to get ahead even if they generate negative output (i.e. people have to clean up after their caca). In fact, they not only want to get ahead, they want people to fawn over them as well.

[dp0622]

I never really thought much of him and i’m not sure why.

But I have listened to some of MLK’s conversations lately (part of transcription side work) and the guy really advocated non-violence and SEEING NO COLOR.

Whatever his personal demons, he was right about not seeing color and would cry today at what his name has been used for.

Horrible, horrible things.

[MplsSteve]

“...most recently served as director of entertainment diversity and inclusion.”

Really?!

[xkaydet65]

White is the new Orange.

[Zhang Fei]

[In February, I decided to part ways with CBS, the corporation where I began my media career and most recently served as director of entertainment diversity and inclusion.]

---

Here’s a sign that this gal was about as useful as teats on a bull. They plugged her into a no-show, do-nothing job to make quota. It’s the kind of job Michelle Obama had back in Chicago. Do whatever you want, while pulling down a big paycheck. Like the viper she is, she’s going after the people who handed her that sinecure.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

“Victim” groups—or all people in general—are only important to them so long as they can use them politically.

If you are a member of a minority and choose to go against them you will truly see the demons inside their human skin.

[Zhang Fei]

[But I have listened to some of MLK’s conversations lately (part of transcription side work) and the guy really advocated non-violence and SEEING NO COLOR.

Whatever his personal demons, he was right about not seeing color and would cry today at what his name has been used for.]

---

Maybe he was doing the equivalent of saying “nice doggie” while looking for a rock. I’d love to read transcripts of the private conversations involving black confidants recorded with FBI listening devices, when he really let his hair down.

[rbg81]

Ha ha she has to be lying, we all know liberals are the most tolerant, respectful, non-racist, non-sexist people alive.

---

Honestly, it sounds like she did pretty well. It also sounds like she was ready to be a stay at home mom. She obviously wants a big $$ settlement.

[dp0622]

I know not nearly enough to take a strong position on either side.

Of course you could be right.

I’m in no position to debate :)

[Toespi]

And this is what happens when 13% of a population is allowed to dictate 100% of the narrative.

[Rastus]

What is a CBS? It’s what happens when a rodeo worker looks down.

[rbg81]

Wait a minute...we’ve been told for years that republicans are the ones who are bigoted, homophobic, xenophobic, and sexist. So I guess all these white CBS execs must be republicans!

---

I especially loved how sensitive teddy-bear Today Show host Matt Lauer turned out to be a sexual predator. In hindsight, everyone knew, but no one said anything. The psycho even had a button on his desk to lock the door from the inside.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Any network that employs scum like Colbert as “entertainment” is a pretty sick and toxic place.

[eyeamok]

served as director of entertainment diversity and inclusion.

WOW!!!

[LYDIAONTARIO]

I thought I’d get laundry whitening tips from this article!

[dfwgator]

So does BET have a “Black Problem”?

[Boomer]

Right. Because hiring someone like the corrupt Kim Foxx from Chicago would be so much better. /s

[winner3000]

No. CBS has a liberal problem. It is becoming inescapable that too many white liberals turn out to be racist. No wonder they project their racism on innocent white conservatives!

[Lemon Curry]

I read this, fully expecting to come away with an affirmation that she was playing the victim and looking to monetize that.

What she describes is not so far off from what I as a white guy saw in the corporate space over a 20 year span. She worked hard at her job and she tried to be successful. And she was, to a degree. Her axe to grind is that once the office was investigated, nothing came of it.

She wasn’t vague about any of her complaints. She identified specific incidents that occurred with witnesses. Let’s see if anyone else there will corroborate these events.

We shouldn’t be pointing a finger at her. We should be outraged at the pompous hypocracy of CBS, perhaps the most radically leftist of the three major TV networks, running a 1950’s style old boys club. That’s not an indictment of whiteness.