Author: Brian Stelter / Source: CNNMoney
The New Yorker’s bombshell story about alleged harassment at CBS came out while “60 Minutes” staffers were enjoying their annual summer break.
Now the vacation is over. The staffers are coming back to work. And they are wondering who’s in charge.
Jeff Fager, the executive producer of “60 Minutes,” stands accused of making unwanted advances and enabling harassment by others in positions of power at the newsmagazine, according to Ronan Farrow’s report in The New Yorker.
Fager firmly denied the allegations.
He seems determined to defend both his own reputation and the esteemed “60 Minutes” brand.But the accusations of misconduct came as no surprise to “60 Minutes” veterans, who had long suspected that stories might be coming. Now CBS staffers are openly wondering if Fager will be replaced — a smaller-scale version of the speculation that has enveloped CBS CEO Les Moonves in the wake of Farrow’s story.
Multiple staffers told CNN that they don’t see how Fager can remain in the job.
The speculation ramped up on Wednesday when some, though not all, “60 Minutes” staffers returned to work. Fager’s No. 2, Bill Owens, was there, but Fager was not.
Some sources said Fager’s vacation was always scheduled to continue for a few more days.
The newsmagazine goes “dark,” in TV speak, during the summer months. New seasons premiere in September. So the full staff is due back in the office next Monday — and Fager said he will be there.
In response to a question from CNN about his status, Fager said, “I am handling everything and today was our first day back but I’m not in the office until Monday.”
“60 Minutes” is beginning its 51st season. The season premiere is slated for Sunday, September 30, so the clock is ticking.
A CBS News spokeswoman declined to comment on Wednesday.
But the news division previously told The New Yorker that it is investigating the accusations against Fager. The law firm Proskauer Rose is conducting the review.
It is possible that Fager will be sidelined until the law firm’s work is complete, a source familiar with the matter said, but no decision has been shared with staffers yet.
Fager has both supporters and detractors on the “60 Minutes” staff, some of the sources told CNN. One of the veteran staffers said “no one really wants to see him go,” but that’s because “they’re afraid of what would come next.” There is considerable uncertainty about who would replace him at the helm of the program.
The situation is exceedingly delicate because Moonves’ future at CBS is also up in the air. Six women told Farrow that Moonves sexually harassed them. In a statement to The New Yorker, Moonves said, “Throughout my time at CBS, we have promoted a culture of respect and opportunity for all employees, and have consistently found success elevating women to top executive positions across our company. I recognize that there were times decades ago when I may have made some women uncomfortable by making advances. Those were mistakes, and I regret them immensely.”
In a way, the fates of Moonves and Fager are intertwined. Because…
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