NEW YORK (AP) – Roger Ailes built the Fox News Channel into a ratings juggernaut, one that successfully presented a conservative alternative to mainstream news and garnered a large new audience in the Age of Trump. We hope that all businesses now understand that women will no longer tolerate sexual harassment and reputable companies will no longer shield those who abuse women. The move came a little more than two weeks after a former anchor, Gretchen Carlson, sued Ailes for sexual harassment; her allegations have been bolstered by reports from other women.
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Employees described a mixture of shock and sadness at the sight of Fox News’s creator brought low by a sexual harassment investigation. As part of the agreement, Ailes can not start a competitor to Fox News. 21st Century Fox says Fox News Network CEO Roger Ailes is resigning.
Attorneys for Carlson saluted her “extraordinary courage” and said Ailes’ exit represented a “seismic shift in the media world”. However, a report published several days later by NY magazine’s Sherman detailed statements from six other women who said they were also sexually harassed by Ailes.
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At 21st Century Fox, which also includes a major Hollywood studio and television network, Rupert Murdoch had taken the role of executive chairman with his son Lachlan, and with James Murdoch as CEO. Long-term, CBS News President David Rhodes is well-regarded and worked at Fox in the past.
The resignation comes as Fox News, known for a lineup of politically conservative commentators including best-selling author Bill O’Reilly, is drawing record viewership. He will assume the role of chairman and acting chief executive of Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network.
“I certainly think that some of the hatred and anger and racism and fear that we’re seeing in this election has clearly and absolutely been stoked and stroked by Fox News”, he said. The announcement came on the day Donald Trump is to accept the GOP nomination for president, a speech likely to be watched by more people on Fox than any other network.
Ailes will receive in excess of $40 million, which accounts for the remainder he is owed under the terms of his multi-year contract with Fox.
“By fusing television’s power to conjure feelings of anger and resentment to an ideology of cultural populism that demonised liberal elites, Ailes set forth the methods and the message that would help conservative politicians win and maintain power for decades”.
Prior to his dramatic and embarrassing downfall, Ailes was said to be one of the few employees that Rupert Murdoch actually feared. The anchorwoman said that because she refused to respond to his advances, Ailes is sabotaging her career.
“There would be a concern if it became just mildly to the right of center”, Graham said.
Lachlan Murdoch is Rupert Murdoch’s eldest son. Ailes denies the allegations.
“That’s not what you do when you have a succession plan in place”, said Andrew Tyndall, who publishes the Tyndall Report, a website that monitors TV news. There, he announced the news about Ailes and read remarks to a small group.
The network has been remarkably stable, with personalities bonded from loyalty to Ailes.
Ailes was admired and envied for his talent management skills.
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There was talk about an exodus of Fox talent with Ailes; Bill O’Reilly has mused about retirement and reportedly he and Sean Hannity have the ability contractually to leave if Ailes is gone.
