Rumors that Roger Ailes was asked to vacate his position as Chairman and Chief Executive of Fox News were confirmed today when Ailes officially resigned.
The New York Times reports:
Roger Ailes stepped down on Thursday as chairman and chief executive of Fox News, ending a 20-year reign as head of the cable network he built into a ratings juggernaut and an influential platform for Republican politics.
Rupert Murdoch, the 85-year-old media mogul who started Fox News with Mr. Ailes, will assume the role of chairman and chief executive of Fox News channel and Fox Business Network.
In a statement, Mr. Murdoch praised Mr. Ailes, 76, and his “remarkable contribution” to the company, without making mention of the sexual harassment scandal that felled him.
“Roger shared my vision of a great and independent television organization and executed it brilliantly over 20 great years,” Mr. Murdoch said. “Fox News has given voice to those who were ignored by the traditional networks and has been one of the great commercial success stories of modern media.”
Rupert Murdoch’s sons, James and Lachlan, likewise praised Mr. Ailes before adding that they were committed to “to maintaining a work environment based on trust and respect.”
Ailes’ resignation letter:
letter from Roger Ailes to Rupert Murdoch, from @DRUDGE https://t.co/Vm9mOpjUal pic.twitter.com/Lc1dQSpq3E
— Kelsey M. Sutton (@kelseymsutton) July 21, 2016
Timing is not ideal:
This is worst nightmare PR wise for fox. Everyone is in Cleveland not ensconced in ny or DC – meaning we can just wait outside
— Hadas Gold (@Hadas_Gold) July 21, 2016
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Comments
He should have left out the part about taking “particular pride in the role that I have played advancing the careers of the many women I have promoted….” Isn’t that why he was fired?
You really don’t stay informed very much, do you, dear……
He’s responsible for empowering more women to more noteworthy careers than all the other news execs. And those who have profited the most even put it in writing in their books.
Oh my…did Megyn and Gretchen recant already?
You might try some other site to satisfy you attention deficit needs.
It’s a woman’s prerogative to change their mind.
Yikes, I can see where Gretchen Carlson was coming from. I wouldn’t have sex with him either!
When multiple women are coming forward at the same time its pretty difficult not to believe that there’s not something to the allegations, but at the same time you do have to wonder why they’re all making their case now rather than five or ten years ago when the incidents occurred. Roger Ailes isn’t particularly likable but still deserves a chance to defend himself from accusations just like everybody else.
In terms of his leadership at Fox though, I definitely think the company could some new talent both on the air and in management. Does anyone really want to see ten more years of Hannity or O’Reilly or Greta Van Sustren?
And also, why is Steve Doocy still there?
Greta and Hannity, yes. O’Reilly, no.