Rupert Murdoch, chairman of Fox’s parent company 21st Century Fox, cut short a vacation on the French Riviera with his wife Jerry Hall to return to NY and finalise the departure of his long-term ally.
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Ailes “has resigned from his role effective immediately”, according to a statement from parent company 21st Century Fox.
Roger Ailes’ successor at Fox News faces a delicate task in changing the culture of a news organization forever identified with one man, and push it forward for a new generation without alienating an audience that has made it a tremendously lucrative business.
Roger Ailes, the main architect of the network, has stepped down and 21st Century Fox executive chairman Rupert Murdoch has assumed the role of chairman and acting CEO of Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network.
Ailes, who built Fox into one of the most influential forces in the news media over the last two decades, has been under fire since Carlson alleged that her contract was not renewed after she spurned sexual advances by him. One report claimed that Fox News star Megyn Kelly said Ailes had made similar advances toward her early in her career at Fox. Though upset Ailes is leaving, Wallace said he “can’t think of a better person to keep the vision of Fox News going than Rupert”.
In a remarkable coincidence, Ailes exits the stage just hours before Donald Trump, a candidate fueled by a mix of populism and resentment that’s similarly driven Fox News, gives his speech as the Republican nominee. “I am confident that everyone at Fox News and Fox Business will continue as the standard setters that they are, and that the businesses are well positioned for even greater success in the future”.
Murdoch is now chairman and acting CEO of Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network.
“Our nation needs a robust Fox News to resonate from every corner of the country”.
Ailes is credited with bringing opinion back to news coverage, starting with America’s Talking, an NBC-owned network that eventually became MSNBC.
Ailes and his attorneys have repeatedly denied the charges against him. The younger Murdochs are now co-executive chairmen at 21st Century Fox and have a greater say in the operation. 21st Century Fox CEO James Murdoch, the elder son of Murdoch, is pushing the whole company to step up its game in digital distribution and advertising technology. Fox News is now regularly among the most-watched networks in all of cable and dominates the cable news category.
The lawsuit set off a series of events, including an investigation of his conduct by an outside law firm, which lead to other Fox employees claiming sexual harassment. Progressive media watchdog Media Matters released a statement from founder David Brock that read, “Media Matters has successfully branded Fox News as a network not to be trusted”.
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Ailes continued consulting on presidential campaigns, serving as media consultant for three successful Republicans: Nixon, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. It has dominated all other cable news channels for 14 years.
