Russell Brand convictions renew questions about media employers and a culture that looked away

Scrutiny turns to media employers

Brand’s convictions Thursday have brought renewed attention to whether media employers enabled his behavior or chose to ignore it. The scrutiny also extends to a culture that, according to attorney Ann Olivarius, indulged or overlooked his wrongdoings when he was famous.

The articles and documentary that preceded the conviction helped bring forward women whose evidence led to the case. Brand had also written in a memoir about having sex with contest winners in a BBC radio station’s accessible bathrooms.

BBC review examined complaints

The BBC investigated eight complaints about Brand. Only one—a report that he urinated in a cup in front of staff—had been formally made while he worked at the stations, and the review found it was “not dealt with effectively.” In his second memoir, “My Booky Wook 2,” Brand described Radio 2 controller Lesley Douglas as “incredibly tolerant” of his behavior and said he had taken advantage of the “lots of room” she gave him. Brand later resigned from Radio 2, and the BBC received a record fine of 150,000 pounds from Britain’s broadcast regulator, equivalent to $219,000 at the time.

Conviction and workplace account

Bayles described the workplace as “a frantic, pressured and toxic working environment,” and said Brand was chaotic, dismissive and manipulative. Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy of London’s Metropolitan Police called the conviction a testament to the women’s courage, resilience and determination in coming forward.

Persona may have obscured warnings

Marketing consultant Allen Adamson said Brand’s sexualized public image may have made his conduct seem like part of his persona rather than a warning sign. Attorney and anti-misogyny activist Cheyenne Hunt said his raunchy behavior may have acted as a pre-emptive defense. Kershaw wrote that powerful media figures helped create Brand’s public profile and encouraged his performances, while colleagues became “collateral damage.” Hunt also said comedy played a role in how such behavior was treated.