Russell Brand’s convictions renew spotlight on media — and a culture — that may have looked away

LONDON (AP) – For three straight years while he worked at BBC radio stations, Russell Brand was awarded a notable distinction by The Sun, Britain's largest tabloid: "Shagger of the Year."

What happened

As he became one of Britain's most famous comedians, it was, of course, in perfect alignment with the bad-lad image Brand cultivated that rode a thin line between outrageous and offensive.

Brand's convictions Thursday for rape and sexual assault have turned a spotlight back on the BBC and other media employers, renewing questions regarding whether bosses enabled his behavior or chose to look away. They additionally highlighted the ways in which his excesses were overlooked by the culture at substantial.

"When Brand was at his most famous, his wrongdoings were indulged or ignored by his employers and, to be fair, the public too, " Ann Olivarius, an attorney specializing in sexual misconduct, remarked in an email message.

The bottom line

Taken together, the developments around russell Brands convictions renew spotlight on media – and a culture point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.