The network did not provide a reason for Van Susteren’s exit, but sources said the veteran host had been seeking to renegotiate the terms of her contract since former Fox News chief Roger Ailes resigned in late July amid sexual harassment allegations.
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The network also released a public apology as a part of the settlement, though Ailes has denied the allegations. She joined Fox News from CNN in 2002.
In a statement on her Facebook page, Van Susteren wrote that Fox “has not felt like home to me for a few years and I took advantage of the clause in my contract which allows me to leave now”.
“There have been so many instances of sexual assault on college campuses”, she said, adding that talking about rape and sexual harassment are key to changing attitudes toward women. She thanked “all the courageous women” who came forward to tell their own stories and others who supported her. We sincerely regret and apologize for the fact that Gretchen was not treated with the respect and dignity that she and all of her colleagues deserve.
“I am gratified that 21st Century Fox took decisive action after I filed my complaint”.
Carlson seems hopeful and confident about her future and aspires to continue and increase her efforts to encourage women.
She will be immediately replaced as host of “On the Record” by senior political analyst Brit Hume, the network said. Ailes not only set the tone for the hostile environment, but engaged in harassment himself, according to her suit.
She had complained that Mr Ailes victimised her and ruined her career after she rejected his advances.
Tantaros called Fox News a “sex-fueled, Playboy Mansion-like cult”.
FOLKENFLIK: Well, so about two dozen women have come forward and have participated in a legal review commissioned by the parent company to learn more about this. That is, they could have filed a legal suit, did not do so, Fox paid some money to make those go away – not as high profile but there are other women, including Megyn Kelly, of course – perhaps the most famous female figure at Fox News – who said that they were harassed by Ailes.
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Since his ouster, Ailes’s been hired by Donald Trump to oversee the Republican candidate’s media strategy.
