I read the New Yorker article about the culture at CBS last week. The allegations against Leslie Moonves were appalling and well-corroborated. The allegations against the people at 60 Minutes were less serious and less persuasive.
One of my issues with #MeToo is that it relies primarily on public shaming as a remedy, and does not draw clear distinctions between, say, Bill Cosby and some director who slapped the butt of an actress 15 years ago. Public shaming is a blunt instrument that simply isn’t appropriate in many cases. In situations involving clearly criminal conduct that, as a practical matter, can be prosecuted, it isn’t enough–the perpetrator belongs in jail. In situations involving verbal harassment and minor physical contact, the most suitable remedy is a private apology and, if necessary, civil litigation. Public shaming should only be used for conduct that falls between these two poles.
Based on this analysis, the treatment of Moonves in the article was unobjectionable, and if he loses his job, so be it. I’m less convinced that the 60 Minutes people were treated fairly.