New York Times debuts powerful sexual harassment advert: 'The truth has a voice'

The advert debuted during the Golden Globes 

Mythili Sampathkumar
New York
Monday 08 January 2018 17:15 GMT
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New York Times releases advert about sexual assault: 'He said, she said'

One of America's most celebrated newspapers has debuted a new advertisement about sexual harassment stories with a powerful tagline: "The truth has a voice."

The television spot for the The New York Times aired during the Golden Globes awards ceremony, to which many celebrities wore black as a sign of support for the #metoo social movement and slew of victims who came forward about alleged abuse at the hands of powerful Hollywood men like Harvey Weinstein.

The ad referenced the newspaper's jaw-dropping report about Mr Weinstein's reportedly numerous incidents of sexual misconduct. Mr Weinstein has denied the accusations.

In the spot, the words "He said" and "She said" appeared alternately on the screen in basic black type on a white background.

Then the music crescendoed as the words "She said" appeared over and over again, taking over the screen - representing the many female victims who have stepped forward in the entertainment, politics, media, and tech industries in the wake of the report on Mr Weinstein.

"The truth has power" and "The truth will not be threatened" flashed on screen as well.

Social media reaction was swift and emotional - on both sides.

Jodi Kantor, who along with colleague Megan Twohey wrote the original piece on Mr Weinstein, tweeted thanks to subscribers.

Some hailed the ad as support for the "Time's Up" initiative against sexual harassment and inequality in the workplace and provide subsidised legal support for women who have experienced either.

Others said the ad was moot because the newspaper still employs reporter Glenn Thrush, who was also accused by several women of sexual misconduct. Though executives said his behaviour was offensive, he was not sacked, but simply taken off of the White House beat.

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