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Fox News CEO Quits Over Sexual Assault Charge, Leaves With $40 Mn

The allegations of sexual harassment bring an end to Roger Ailes’ 20-year reign over Fox News.

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Fox News chairman and chief executive, Roger Ailes resigned on Thursday over charges of sexual assault by colleagues. The former CEO leaves with $40 million being paid to him by Fox News.

The allegations of sexual harassment brought an abrupt end to his 20-year reign over one of America’s most lucrative and powerful cable news channels.

In his resignation letter to the Murdochs, Roger Ailes said:

I will not allow my presence to become a distraction from the work that must be done every day to ensure that Fox News and Fox Business continue to lead our industry.

Rupert Murdoch, the executive co-chairman of 21st Century Fox Inc., will take over the responsibilities as the CEO of Fox News.

Earlier on Monday, agency reports had suggested that Murdoch and his sons James and Lachlan had decided that Roger Ailes should leave the company, but hadn’t settled on the timing,

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Murdoch and 21st Century Fox did not address the widening scandal in the statement on the resignation, but lauded Ailes for his contributions.

I am personally committed to ensuring that Fox News remains a distinctive, powerful voice. Our nation needs a robust Fox News to resonate from every corner of the country.
Rupert Murdoch, executive co-chairman of 21st Century Fox
The allegations of sexual harassment bring an end to Roger Ailes’ 20-year reign over Fox News.
Fox News’ new CEO, Rupert Murdoch, centre, with his sons, Lachlan, left, and James Murdoch. (Photo: AP)

The Downfall of Ailes

The blustery, 76-year-old media executive built a network that both transformed the news business and changed the political conversation.

Fox News Channel provided a television home to conservatives who had felt left out of the media, and played a part in advancing a rough-and-tumble style of politics that left many concerned that it was impossible to get things done in government.

Ailes’ downfall began with the 6 July filing of a lawsuit by Gretchen Carlson, who charged that he sabotaged her career because she refused his advances and had complained about a pervasive atmosphere of sexual harassment at Fox. Ailes has denied the charges, but 21st Century Fox hired a law firm to investigate.

Several Fox employees jumped to Ailes’ defence, but notably not Megyn Kelly, one of Fox’s top personalities.

In rapid succession, it was reported that Kelly was among other women who had told investigators about harassment, again denied by Ailes, and that corporate heads Rupert Murdoch and his sons, James and Lachlan, determined that Ailes had to go. The company has no plans to make results of its investigation public.

Within two weeks of the court filing, Carlson’s lawyers also said more than 20 women had contacted the firm with stories of alleged harassment by Ailes either against themselves or someone they knew.

(With agency inputs)

(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)

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Topics:  Resignation   Rupert Murdoch   Fox News 

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