Roger Ailes Resigns From Fox News; Rupert Murdoch to Take Over
July 21 2016 - 5:30PM
Dow Jones News
Roger Ailes has agreed to resign as Fox News Channel's chairman
and chief executive in the wake of a sexual harassment scandal,
ending his successful but controversial tenure at the helm of the
cable news network he has built up over 20 years.
Fox News-parent 21st Century Fox Inc. announced Mr. Ailes's
resignation in a statement on Thursday and said 21st Century Fox
Executive Chairman Rupert Murdoch will take on the role of Fox News
chairman and acting CEO.
"Roger Ailes has made a remarkable contribution to our company
and our country," Mr. Murdoch said in a news release. "Roger shared
my vision of a great and independent television organization and
executed it brilliantly over 20 great years."
Mr. Ailes will get an exit package worth more than $40 million,
according to a person familiar with the matter, and will be a
consultant for Mr. Murdoch.
The departure of Mr. Ailes comes less than three weeks after
former Fox anchor Gretchen Carlson filed a lawsuit alleging that
Mr. Ailes retaliated against her and sabotaged her career because
she complained about a hostile work environment at the network and
rebuffed his advances.
Mr. Ailes has denied the charges. Fox hired a law firm to
investigate, and the probe has revealed a pattern of inappropriate
behavior toward female staffers, people familiar with the matter
said.
21st Century Fox and Wall Street Journal-owner News Corp were
part of the same company until mid-2013.
In his letter of resignation, Mr. Ailes didn't address the
sexual harassment claims but told Mr. Murdoch, "I am proud that we
have built Fox News and Fox Business channels into powerful and
lucrative news organizations that inform our audience and reward
our shareholders. I take particular pride in the role that I have
played advancing the careers of the many women I have promoted to
executive and on-air positions."
He added, "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."
Write to Joe Flint at joe.flint@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
July 21, 2016 17:15 ET (21:15 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2016 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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