In a statement, Murdoch did not mention the accusations against Ailes. “We take seriously our responsibility to uphold these traditional, long-standing values of our company”.
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July 9: NY magazine publishes allegations of sexual misconduct by Ailes from six other women, two of whom speak on the record. “We will have more to say in coming days as events unfold”, Carlson’s attorneys Erika Smith and Martin Hyman said in a statement to TheWrap. Ailes has denied the allegations.
At 85 years old and newly married (for the third time), Murdoch will take over running Fox News and Fox Business as Roger Ailes is pushed out.
In 2016, Ailes was accused of sexual harassment by ousted Fox News host Gretchen Carlson. “Our nation needs a robust Fox News to resonate from every corner of the country”. The investigators were part of a NY firm’s inquiry into the claims.
Many in the industry were shocked by the allegations simply because the Fox News channel seemed to be such a tight knit group of like minded individuals.
Murdoch’s sons, Lachlan and James Murdoch, echoed that sentiment, noting additionally: “For [our Fox News and Fox Business colleagues], as well as for our colleagues across our entire organization, we continue our commitment to maintaining a work environment based on trust and respect”.
In a lawsuit, Carlson alleged Ailes had made unwanted sexual advances after she complained to him about treatment of women at the network.
Fox News anchor Chris Wallace, in Cleveland to cover the Republican National Convention, said he was stunned by the news of Ailes’s resignation.
Apparently Fox staffers were immediately suspicious that Ailes will now seek to advise Trump in a formal capacity. Roger Ailes, of course, has been virtually synonymous with Fox News since its founding, and while taking on the acting CEO title, Murdoch sent a message of stability by announcing that the three top executives on Ailes’ management team will remain in place.
“It is always hard to create a channel or a publication from the ground up and against seemingly entrenched monopolies”, Murdoch said. “His grasp of policy and his ability to make profoundly important issues accessible to a broader audience stand in stark contrast to the self-serving elitism that characterizes far too much of the media”. She also claimed that Ailes cut down her television appearances and slashed her salary over the matter, as well. In it, Ailes prided himself for “the role that I have played advancing the careers of the many women I have promoted to executive and on-air positions”. However, a senior TV news executive told the magazine they predicted neither Shine nor Clemente would become CEO.
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By 2002: Fox News establishes itself as the ratings leader dominating cable-news competition in ratings and, arguably, influence. His departure could cause chaos at the network, as Brietbart is reporting that Bill O’Reilly, Sean Hannity, Greta Van Susteren and several other major Fox News anchors are preparing to follow Ailes out the door.
