Motion Picture Academy Moves to Institute Code of Conduct

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Nodding to critics who contend that the movie industry hasn’t done enough to fight sexual harassment, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Thursday that it would be establishing a “code of conduct” for its members.

According to an email sent to members by the Academy’s chief executive, Dawn Hudson, the new rules will include “a policy for evaluating alleged violations and determining if action regarding membership is warranted.”

This comes on the heels of the Academy, which is the de facto governing body of the movie industry, expelling Harvey Weinstein two weeks ago, breaking with 90 years of precedent. At the time, the Academy said in a statement that it would, “work to establish ethical standards of conduct that all academy members will be expected to exemplify.” But still, it has faced criticism in recent weeks, given that Roman Polanski, who pleaded guilty to unlawful sex with a minor in 1977, and Bill Cosby still remain members.

Ms. Hudson said in the letter that the Academy would consult “experts in law and ethics to gain a better understanding of what more we can and should be doing.” She added, “Although we have no intention of functioning as an investigative body or moral court, we do have a right and duty as a voluntary association to maintain clear standards of workplace behavior for those we accept as members.”

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