Mediacorp has taken disciplinary action against a cameraman accused of making sexist remarks to a former TV producer, and is investigating further allegations of inappropriate conduct that have been unearthed after the ex-producer, Juwon Park, aired allegations of sexism at her workplace on Facebook.
Adding that the specific disciplinary action was “confidential information,” a Mediacorp spokesman said:
“We have concluded that the allegations are valid and have taken the necessary disciplinary action against the staff who had made the inappropriate remarks.”
Last Thursday, Park accused her colleagues of being outright sexist to her several times in Facebook posts that she has since removed.
Among other instances of sexism revealed in her posts – which were captured by forum users online – Park also shared screenshots of a conversation she had with a colleague who is presumably Australian. She revealed that the man indicated that she cannot be a presenter because she does not have a large chest and that she should pretend to be dumb because girls shouldn’t be smart.
When called out for his comments in a private chat, the colleague apologised, said that this is just part of the industry and that he was simply joking.
Park’s post went viral shortly after it was posted. In response, Mediacorp said that it “does not condone sexism in our workplace. We take a serious view to this matter and are investigating.”
Since action has been taken against the cameraman, Park has elaborated that she was dissuaded from taking the matter to Human Resources when the incidents occurred.
Asserting that five other producers have reportedly raised additional allegations of sexism, Park said in a Facebook post that she hopes her experiences prompts “prompts more open culture and dialogue within the company.” She added:
“I think this is very important because I was repeatedly discouraged from going to HR with my past complaints. And that should not happen anymore. Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected at work – regardless of their age, gender, sexuality or ethnicity.”
It has been the most difficult week in my life.After my Facebook posts have gone viral, my face was plastered all over…
Posted by Juwon Park on Tuesday, 10 October 2017
Here is her post, if you can’t access it above:
“It has been the most difficult week in my life.
After my Facebook posts have gone viral, my face was plastered all over various local news outlets and sketchy online forums. The online comments referring to my body parts and face were very graphic and disgusting. I hid in my room and did not want to come outside.
When I gathered enough courage and went into the office yesterday, there were whispers. My close colleagues confided in me that some colleagues were blaming me for not being able to “take jokes.” Some of my closest colleagues suddenly started avoiding me. I would like to think they probably did not know how to console me. Still, it was very painful.
I don’t regret that I spoke up– although it probably left some mud in my reputation and future job prospect. I spoke up because I cannot justify my job if i cannot even speak up for myself.
I am happy that Mediacorp is acknowledging *additional allegations* brought forth by five other producers and hope they will be fully investigated in the near future. And I hope this incident prompts more open culture and dialogue within the company. I think this is very important because I was repeatedly discouraged from going to HR with my past complaints. And that should not happen anymore. Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected at work– regardless of their age, gender, sexuality or ethnicity.
I had a wonderful time in Singapore. I made everlasting friends such as Noreen and Claire . I’ve learned so much in Channel News Asia from wonderful colleagues who’ve supported me and encouraged me. I am especially grateful for Dawn Karen Tan and my direct boss Fred. They were so supportive and caring. I am forever grateful.
During past two weeks, I’ve received many messages from Singaporeans I do not know– even from Houston, Texas! Sorry I cannot respond individually but thank you so much for your messages. It gave me strength.
I will be leaving Singapore soon as I am now a tourist. Thank you Singapore.”
According to the Mediacorp spokesman, Park tendered her resignation in September and left the company after serving a shortened notice period. She will be leaving Singapore soon.
https://theindependent.sg.sg/you-cannot-be-a-presenter-because-you-dont-have-boobs-cna-producer-calls-out-alleged-sexism-at-workplace/