Fox News chairman and CEO Roger Ailes officially resigned on Thursday, leaving the cable channel he built into the one of the largest, most influential, and most infamous news networks on the planet. On Tuesday, the magazine said that popular Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly had told investigators hired by Fox that Ailes “made unwanted sexual advances toward her” about 10 years ago.
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Murdoch’s sons, Lachlan and James, 21CF’s co-Executive Chairman, and CEO, respectively, said that following the oust of Ailes, they will “continue [their] commitment to maintaining a work environment based on trust and respect”. “Roger shared my vision of a great and independent television organization and executed it brilliantly over 20 great years”.
Ailes, who is widely credited with shaping Fox News into the ratings-dominant conservative media outlet that it is today, had been caught in the wake of a sexual harassment investigation after being sued by former Fox commentator Gretchen Carlson. Ailes, in a statement, denies the allegations and accuses Carlson of filing the lawsuit in retaliation for her contract not being renewed. “I think that’s how it’s going to be with Roger Ailes”.
Trump, through a spokeswoman, declined to comment on Ailes on Thursday. Now, the Guardian reports around 20 women have told Carlson’s lawyers that they are victims, too. But it does raise important questions for marketers that value the audience it convened, chief among them whether Fox News will look the same under a new leader.
The two sons said in the statement that “we join our father in recognizing Roger’s remarkable contributions to our company”, but also hinted about the accusations against him.
According to the statement, Rupert Murdoch will take over as chairman and acting CEO of Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network.
It has been a tumultuous week for the media corporation after former anchor Gretchen Carlson filed a lawsuit against Ailes alleging she was wrongful terminated and sexually harassed by the older gentleman.
While Ailes’ departure may not come at an ideal time for Fox News, the momentum of record ratings amid the most sensational USA presidential election in decades may give the cable network some breathing room to recover, media buyers and Wall Street analysts have told Reuters.
Its advertisers aren’t expected to follow Mr. Ailes out the door, at least, not as long as the network retains its so-far loyal viewership. But Fox’s many fans said it was a necessary counterweight to liberal media bias.
Documentary filmmaker Robert Greenwald, who made 2004’s “Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch’s War on Journalism”, said he hopes the younger Murdochs will take this moment to change the network’s philosophy.
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Fox News generated $844 million in ad sales revenue last year, up 6% from a year earlier, according to SNL Kagan.
