Samira Said, a former field producer for ABC News, has gained attention due to her recent lawsuit against Matt Gutman, a correspondent for CBS News. The lawsuit alleges that Gutman made inappropriate sexual remarks during their work assignments several years ago. This legal action highlights ongoing issues of workplace conduct within the news industry, prompting discussions about accountability and professional standards among journalists.
The legal action was initiated in the Los Angeles Superior Court on Friday, August 14, listing Gutman, ABC News, and Disney as defendants.
An incident occurred while Said and Gutman were queuing in a public setting during an assignment, according to the complaint. Gutman “initiated a discussion rating a female correspondent’s appearance and reducing her professional standing to a numerical score based on her physical attributes,” the lawsuit states. A second purported incident occurred while Said and Gutman were attending a press event related to a movie. The two are said to have had a disagreement regarding whether they should depart from the venue.
Gutman has not been charged with any criminal activity, and the claims made in the lawsuit have yet to be proven in court. Currently, her lawsuit claims that two encounters with Gutman contributed to a hostile work environment.
