New Accusations of Sexual Misconduct by David Alan Harvey May Put Magnum’s Reputation Beyond Repair

New Accusations of Sexual Misconduct by David Alan Harvey May Put Magnum’s Reputation Beyond Repair

Magnum’s reputation may be beyond repair following a damning two-year investigation by a journalist into the conduct of David Alan Harvey that has revealed multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. The accusations from 11 women date back 13 years, and Magnum may have been aware of them as early as 2009.

The article by Kristen Chick published on Columbia Journalism Review presents a long and detailed list of allegations of sexual misconduct by David Alan Harvey. Accusations include suggestive comments, unwanted sexual advances, physical aggression, and unexpected masturbation during video calls. There are suggestions that Magnum’s members were aware of his reputation and did nothing to challenge him or investigate his behavior.

The extensive details — many of which were corroborated by third parties — call into question the thoroughness of the recent investigation of Harvey’s conduct, which saw him temporarily suspended in August this year and then suspended for 12 months after it reached its conclusion in October. Many of the women who gave their accounts to CJR have expressed their lack of trust in Magnum’s ability to hold its members to account.

The code of conduct created by Magnum and signed by its members in 2018 remains secret.

Andy Day's picture

Andy Day is a British photographer and writer living in France. He began photographing parkour in 2003 and has been doing weird things in the city and elsewhere ever since. He's addicted to climbing and owns a fairly useless dog. He has an MA in Sociology & Photography which often makes him ponder what all of this really means.

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8 Comments

What do you mean? Harvey has been accused, by numerous people...

Sorry but "unexpected masturbation during video calls" made me laugh.

We’ve all done that on occasion ;) It’s a bit of a non story, he likes girls & plays the field.

Just trying to imagine the 'unexpected' part. They were talking about invoices and suddenly he pulls out his ....? Anyway, if he really did that, I'd say it's quite inappropriate but what stops the 'victims' from just breaking the connection and leave the filthy bastard to himself?

At this point, Magnum should cut their losses an delete it's entire archive. Then reinvent themselves in a more caring fashion. Maybe implement a program that looks more in-depth on the photographers they hire. Possibly even create a new full time job position to screen photos before being added to a showcase or portfolio.

You're kidding, right?

I am afraid he is not. Cancel culture is so 2020, let's demand a self-cancel culture now.

We must remember that you are innocent until proven guilty. At present, it is allegations. Cancel culture seems to be about changing the norms of the past to reflect the insanity of the present.

Retrospective persecution is tyranny.

As for Magnum, why should THEIR reputation be tarnished by allegations, especially cancel culture type allegations? The allegations need to be adjudicated in context of societal norms 13 years ago. To allow the past to be judged by the present is a very slippery slope indeed. Next thing, bringing out an inconvenient truth that exposes criminal activity will be retrospectively punished.

Retrospective persecution is tyranny.