21st Century Fox and Bill O’Reilly (Sexual Assault/Cover-Ups).
Introduction/Thesis
An analysis of the media industry reveals that it has, over the years, been faced with ethical issues about the conduct of some of its top members. Sexual harassment, to be precise, seems to be a moral issue that almost seems synonymous with the industry, given the number of media personalities that have recently been accused of sexual assault (Steel & Schmidt, 2017). The issues about sexual assault in this industry can probably be attributed to the admiration that media personalities come to acquire that make them think that everyone wants them and that they can get away with anything (Steel & Schmidt, 2017). The media firms that work with such personalities have also not been any better since they have helped them cover up their acts. This is something that has reaffirmed how the industry suffers from a lack of ethics since they are too inclined to maintain their reputation at the expense of the sexual assault victims (Steel & Schmidt, 2017). To have a better understanding of the ethical issues facing the media industry, this research paper will look into how the 21st Century Fox actively participated in the cover-up of the sexual assault Bill O’Reilly committed.
Facts
The 21st Century Fox was recently faced with heavy criticism owing to the sexual assault allegations that had been pegged against one of its chairman and leading media personalities, Bill O’Reilly. Even though 21st Century Fox presumably ejected O’Reilly, the company had for long participated in the cover-up of the sexual assault that he allegedly committed (Steel & Schmidt, 2017). While 21st Century Fox claimed that they did not know of the incidents being reported, they failed to let their stand on the issue known until people started boycotting the company. Only after massive boycotts did the company take action, an action that was short-lived since they soon reinstated him to his former position (Steel & Schmidt, 2017). Soon after O’Reilly struck a deal to get rid of the sexual harassment acquisition, 21st Century Fox began talks with O’Reilly aimed at renewing a new contract that would see him earn well over $25 million per year (Steel & Schmidt, 2017). Even though 21st Century Fox claimed that it stood firm against any issues that went against moral and ethical standards, the company failed to abide by this stand by reinstating O’Reilly, considering this was the sixth sexual allegations against him.
Personal Ethical Philosophy
Having an understanding of ethics plays a significant role in building a person’s integrity. While most people may not know the value of integrity, it is among the most admirable personal traits that an individual could ever have that money cannot buy (Vitell et al., 2016). Once someone is considered to have integrity, it opens up so many doors for him or her since many consider people with integrity to be trustworthy (Vitell et al., 2016). By understanding the significant role adhering to the set code of conduct, I have come to ensure that nothing I do violates moral and ethical standards since doing so would damage my integrity, something that I have come to cherish (Vitell et al., 2016). Undertaking this class has also been substantial in helping me strengthen my personal system of ethics by looking at various incidents where lack of a private network of ethics has resulted in the fall of great individuals and companies.
Analysis
Looking at 21st Century Fox, it is inevitable to note that it is one of the most admirable media companies in the world as it has brought people some of the greatest shows of all-time. However, it is inevitable to note that the company is significantly failing in setting moral and ethical standards for its staff members and the world at large to emulate (Steel & Schmidt, 2017). The recent ethical challenge that has rocked the company and O’Reilly is a clear example of the company’s failure to abide by the code of conducts it claims to stand by (Steel & Schmidt, 2017). By failing to speak up about the scandal that was rocking one of its top personalities, the company demonstrated that it had no regard for ethical standards if it meant losing one of its revenue streams (Steel & Schmidt, 2017). Even though the company finally spoke and ousted O’Reilly, the company failed to live up to its word by reinstating him soon after things had cooled down. Based on the decision to reinstate O’Reilly, 21st Century Fox reaffirmed the assumption that sexual assault is part of the media industry’s culture, and this sends the wrong message since it makes the act look okay (Steel & Schmidt, 2017). By doing so, more men and women will continue to suffer in silence since nothing appears to be done to individuals who cross this line in the industry.
Resolution and/or Conclusion
The best approach that 21st Century Fox should have taken up once the sexual allegation against surfaced would have been to put O’Reilly on indefinite albescence from work until the case was investigated. This would have been an effective means of demonstrating that the company understood the need to adhere to moral and ethical standards as opposed to waiting till there was too much public outcry to do anything about the situation (Steel & Schmidt, 2017). While most people presumed that O’Reilly was guilty, 21st Century Fox should have made it clear that it had left all matters about the case under police investigation and would only consider reinstating him after the investigations were done and he was cleared (Steel & Schmidt, 2017).
Even though out of court settlements have become a common way of settling disputes, it is essential to note that O’Reilly, at the time, was being faced with his sixth account of sexual assault allegations. Thus, the best strategy would have been completely terminating his contract for failing to settle in court since doing so would have cleared him of any doubt (Steel & Schmidt, 2017). The out of court settlement only reaffirmed the assumption that O’Reilly could get away with anything just because he had the resources to do so. 21st Century Fox reaffirmed this assumption by renewing his contract barely weeks after he had settled the allegations against him (Steel & Schmidt, 2017). This act goes against moral and ethical standards and may result in more victims of sexual assault failing to open up about their ordeal since nothing appears to be done about the perpetrators.
References
Steel, E, & Schmidt, S. (2017). Bill O’Reilly Settled New Harassment Claim; Then Fox Renewed His Contract. New York Times. Retrieved on April 13, 2020, from https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/21/business/media/bill-oreilly-sexual-harassment.html
Vitell, S. J., King, R. A., Howie, K., Toti, J. F., Albert, L., Hidalgo, E. R., & Yacout, O. (2016). Spirituality, moral identity, and consumer ethics: A multi-cultural study. Journal of business ethics, 139(1), 147-160.