Following allegations of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behaviour levelled against Iconic Hollywood movie actor Morgan Freeman, the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) said on Thursday that it was reviewing “corrective actions” relating to a lifetime achievement given by the union to the 80-year-old actor in January.
Read: #MeToo: 8 Women Accuse Hollywood Veteran Actor Morgan Freeman Of Sexual Harassment
The report which was released by CNN said 8 women had accused Mr Freeman of relating with then in sexually inappropriate manners which made them uncomfortable.
A statement released by the union reads – “These are compelling and devastating allegations which are absolutely contrary to all the steps that we are taking to [ensure] a safe work environment for the professionals in this industry,” read a SAG-AFTRA statement. “Any accused person has the right to due process, but it is our starting point to believe the courageous voices who come forward to report incidents of harassment.”
Also late Thursday, VISA announced that it will be suspending all their campaigns involving the actor in the wake of the allegations. The actor had been a long-term voice spokesman for the company. A new VISA campaign ad for Vancouver Translink transit system which was launched just a few days ago has also been suspended.
In February 2018, SAG-AFTRA adopted a new sexual harassment code of conduct to prohibit “unwelcome verbal, visual or physical conduct of a sexual nature that is severe or pervasive and which creates a hostile, offensive or intimidating work environment.” The union also SAG-AFTRA has also created guidelines on where industry meetings should take place, rules meant to avoid “high-risk locations” like hotel rooms where some of the behaviours alleged by the #MeToo movement happened.