Fired for being white? Paramount faces lawsuit from longtime exec

A former Paramount exec has sued the company, claiming he was fired for being white and over 50

Paramount is facing a discrimination lawsuit after longtime executive Joseph Jerome claimed he was terminated as part of a diversity push that unfairly targeted older, white employees. Jerome, who worked for the company since 1994, filed the lawsuit in California federal court, alleging wrongful dismissal based on race and age.

According to court documents, Jerome was among three CBS Media Ventures attorneys — all white and over 50, who were dismissed last year. His position was reportedly filled by a 25-year-old Black law school graduate who had previously interned for the division. The complaint also states that two of his colleagues were replaced by younger Asian attorneys following corporate restructuring.

Jerome’s filing accuses Paramount of prioritising diversity goals in staffing and executive compensation. He cited a 2023 meeting in which CBS News president Wendy McMahon allegedly encouraged hiring younger staff to appeal to younger audiences. Shortly after that meeting, Jerome claims he was criticised for thinking “old” during contract discussions.

The lawsuit follows a string of legal challenges against corporate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies across the entertainment industry. Earlier this year, Paramount settled a case involving a SEAL Team script coordinator who accused the studio of using “illegal diversity quotas”. These developments come as companies reassess DEI policies under mounting political and legal scrutiny.

Online reactions to Jerome’s claims have been divided. Supporters argue that age and race-based firings should be investigated with equal seriousness regardless of who is affected, while critics accuse Jerome of weaponising anti-DEI rhetoric to mask privilege. Others view the case as part of a broader backlash against inclusion efforts in Hollywood, particularly following the Supreme Court’s decisions that reshaped race-based employment and education policies.

Paramount has not yet publicly commented on the lawsuit.