Hollywood Academy affirms 'standards of conduct' for members

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has affirmed a 'Standards of Conduct' for its members in the wake of the sexual harrassment cases that have emerged in the industry.

The Academy's CEO Dawn Hudson sent letters to the organisation's members on Thursday, reports variety.com.

The task force that has formed the 'Standards of Conduct' consulted with professors of ethics, business, philosophy, and law from Georgetown, Harvard, Notre Dame, and Stanford, as well as experts in human resources and sexual harassment.

The group met with counterparts at the Television and British Academies, and, for reference, also reviewed the codes of conduct of other organisations, including AFI, Film Independent, and UCLA, reports variety.com.

"Much remains to be done. The task force will finalize procedures for handling allegations of misconduct, assuring that we can address them fairly and expeditiously... Those procedures will be sent to you in the new year," Hudson said.

The Academy's 'Standards of Conduct' statement read: "Academy membership is a privilege offered to only a select few within the global community of filmmakers. In addition to achieving excellence in the field of motion picture arts and sciences, members must also behave ethically by upholding the Academy's values of respect for human dignity, inclusion, and a supportive environment that fosters creativity."

Through the letter, the organisation asked its members to "embrace their responsibility to affirm these principles and act when these principles are violated".

"There is no place in the Academy for people who abuse their status, power or influence in a manner that violates recognized standards of decency. The Academy is categorically opposed to any form of abuse, harassment or discrimination on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disability, age, religion, or nationality.

"The Board of Governors believes that these standards are essential to the Academy's mission and reflective of our values."

The Academy warned of "disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion" in case of violation.

Disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, in news for mounting allegations of sexual harassment and assault against him, was expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in October.

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