PBS Suspends Tavis Smiley Following Sexual Misconduct Investigation (EXCLUSIVE)
Last edited Thu Dec 14, 2017, 09:51 PM - Edit history (1)
Source: Variety
PBS has suspended late-night talk show Tavis Smiley amid misconduct allegations against its host and namesake.
Effective today, PBS has indefinitely suspended distribution of Tavis Smiley, produced by TS Media, an independent production company, the public broadcaster said. PBS engaged an outside law firm to conduct an investigation immediately after learning of troubling allegations regarding Mr. Smiley. This investigation included interviews with witnesses as well as with Mr. Smiley. The inquiry uncovered multiple, credible allegations of conduct that is inconsistent with the values and standards of PBS, and the totality of this information led to todays decision.
Sources close to the production told Variety that PBS hired attorney Sarah Taylor Wirtz of the firm MSK to oversee an investigation into Smileys behavior after receiving allegations of misconduct by Smiley, who hosts and produces the talk show. Wirtz declined Varietys request for comment. According to sources, MSK took reports from 10 witnesses, a mix of men and women of different races and employment levels in Smileys organization, most of them former staffers.
The investigation found credible allegations that Smiley had engaged in sexual relationships with multiple subordinates, sources said. Some witnesses interviewed expressed concern that their employment status was linked to the status of a sexual relationship with Smiley. In general, witnesses described Smiley as creating a verbally abusive and threatening environment that went beyond what could be expected in a typical high-pressure work environment. Several expressed concerns about retaliation.
Read more: http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/tavis-smiley-pbs-1202639424/
The numbers are growing.
This year may finally be a turning point for the rich and powerful no longer getting away with this & people feeling secure enough to speak out.
ETA: changed my comment to "people" from "women", since all are subject to being victimized.
........
alp227
(32,034 posts)Hari Sreenivasan (PBS NewsHour), please don't be next.
SoCalMusicLover
(3,194 posts)One would think that they would be above this sort of thing. Apparently not.
LenaBaby61
(6,974 posts)Not one bit.
burrowowl
(17,641 posts)a Black right-winger.
Tarheel_Dem
(31,235 posts)DonCoquixote
(13,616 posts)Especially as there are few media voices that can and do speak as a Black Voice, but frankly, Tavis acted so nasty that sooner or later, someone was bound to tell on him.
elleng
(130,974 posts)seems they're having problems juggling. No surprise.
Honeycombe8
(37,648 posts)He had good guests and questions & discussions.
diva77
(7,643 posts)oberliner
(58,724 posts)For what that is worth.
FarPoint
(12,409 posts)I remain uncomfortable with accusations without validation to evoke consequences.
MichMan
(11,938 posts)He is an entertainer on a TV show. If an employer finds cause to sever the relationship they can do so. Sounds like they found the accusers credible enough to act after they investigated and did give due process.
It's not like you can only be fired after being convicted in a court of law. Every single place I have been employed at would fire somebody if they did what he is accused of.
FarPoint
(12,409 posts)It's just wrong...yes, we have give employers the right to fire someone even if they fart...
False accusations can also fall into this abyss.
MichMan
(11,938 posts)" The investigation found credible allegations that Smiley had engaged in sexual relationships with multiple subordinates, sources said. Some witnesses interviewed expressed concern that their employment status was linked to the status of a sexual relationship with Smiley. In general, witnesses described Smiley as creating a verbally abusive and threatening environment that went beyond what could be expected in a typical high-pressure work environment. Several expressed concerns about retaliation."
FarPoint
(12,409 posts)I know this plan is not good either.... consequences just on subjective claims....I think timely reporting needs to be established with support ...then process and pass judgement accordingly with both parties.
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)Which court is denying him state-obligated due process?
DemRage
(16 posts)"This year may finally be a turning point for the rich and powerful no longer getting away with this & women feeling secure enough to speak out."
It's not just women that need to finally feel secure. A lot of the Hollywood mess was men doing sexual assualts against other men (like Kevin Spacey). This type of behavior needs to be uprooted, stamped out, and punished by all offenders for all victims.!!
7962
(11,841 posts)because it IS both. And both men and women can be the victimizers as well.