Allegations of “blatant” discrimination against a white, heterosexual male freelance writer prompted CBS and its parent company Paramount Global to impose strict diversity rules on writers for the “SEAL Team” series, according to a federal lawsuit. It was raised in response to
Brian Beneker, script coordinator and freelance writer for CBS’ “SEAL Team,” has accused a staff writer of his race, gender and sexual orientation, according to a complaint filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court of Central California. I was illegally denied a job. new york post report.
Lawyers for plaintiff Beneker argue that CBS’ diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts are necessary for a straight white male to be hired as a staff writer without having ‘special’ qualifications (such as military experience or previous writing experience). “This creates a situation in which a system (such as units of measurement) is necessary.” [on SEAL Team] When compared to non-white, LGBTQ, or female colleagues who do not require such “special” qualifications. ”
Beneker is the president of America First Legal, a conservative nonprofit founded by Stephen Miller, a former policy aide to President Trump.
The company posted on X late Thursday: “We just sued CBS in federal court for blatant anti-white discrimination in violation of federal law. America First Legal is committed to holding the entertainment giant accountable for its lawless and bigoted conduct. will fight.”
/1🚨Historic Lawsuit — We just recently sued CBS in federal court for allegedly engaging in blatant anti-white discrimination in violation of federal law.
America First Legal will fight to hold entertainment giants accountable for their lawless and bigoted actions.
read
— America First Legal (@America1stLegal) February 29, 2024
of post Beneker became script coordinator for the pilot episode of “Seal Team,” a drama about the pressures on Navy SEALs, in 2017, but was soon hired as a freelancer for the show’s second season, according to the report. He said he received an offer to write the script for the episode. .
According to the suit, Beneker was told that he would have to quit his job as script coordinator in order to continue as a screenwriter, and that a “female with no experience as a script coordinator” who was “having a difficult time performing the job” would replace him. ” he pointed out. She said, “I quit about two weeks after I started training.”
Mr. Beneker’s lawyers cited a widely reported order from CBS CEO George Cheeks to “set a goal of 40% staffing in writers’ rooms for all of the network’s prime-time series.” was quoted. [with] bipoc [black, indigenous and people of color] In the 2021-2022 season. ”
CBS and Paramount did not respond to requests for comment from the network.
The lawsuit comes amid an ongoing uproar over DEI policies across the entertainment industry, with Beneker claiming he was passed over in favor of less qualified candidates who ticked the diversity boxes. The debate is echoing elsewhere in the entertainment industry.
“DEI is not about expanding opportunity. It’s about systematically discriminating based on race and gender.” https://t.co/A5Lv5KMojF
— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) January 20, 2024
As Breitbart News reported in January, author Andrew Sullivan said on HBO’s “Real Time” that progress in equality has been made since the 1960s through freedom, free markets, and traditional liberal principles. and that it should not be completely undermined by DEI programs and promotions. He “imposes strict quotas and tries to make everything perfect, while at the same time making our discussions toxic and really pissing people off.”
Sullivan said, “DEI isn’t about expanding opportunity. It’s about systematically discriminating based on race and gender.”
