- Title: Fox News chief Ailes resigns after sexual harassment claims
- Date: 21st July 2016
- Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (FILE - MARCH 5, 2016) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** RUPERT MURDOCH, EXECUTIVE CO-CHAIRMAN OF 21ST CENTURY FOX INC, ARRIVING AT ST BRIDE'S CHURCH WITH SONS LACHLAN (LEFT) AND JAMES (RIGHT) NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (FILE - APRIL 29, 2014) (REUTERS) MURDOCH AT TIME 100 GALA RED CARPET
- Embargoed: 5th August 2016 21:46
- Keywords: Fox Rupert Murdoch Roger Ailes 21st Century Fox Fox news channel
- Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM / NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES / INTERNET / UNKNOWN LOCATIONS
- City: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM / NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES / INTERNET / UNKNOWN LOCATIONS
- Country: USA
- Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Television
- Reuters ID: LVA0024RMUA13
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Roger Ailes, who built Fox News into a money-making ratings powerhouse, has resigned as chairman and chief executive of the popular cable channel following allegations of sexual harassment, according to the company.
The media executive and Twenty-First Century Fox Inc, the parent of Fox News, had been in negotiations over his departure, a person briefed on the discussions said on Tuesday (July 19).
Rupert Murdoch, executive chairman of Twenty-First Century Fox, will assume the role of chairman and acting CEO of Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network, the company said.
The exit marks a swift downfall for Ailes, the 76-year-old media executive who advised several U.S. Republican presidents, including George H.W. Bush, and turned Fox News into the most-watched U.S. cable news channel.
Former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson sued Ailes earlier this month, claiming sexual harassment. Ailes has denied the charges. Fox hired the law firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison to conduct an internal investigation.
New York magazine followed up with reports of other women who said they had been harassed by Ailes as far back as the 1960s. On Tuesday, the magazine said that popular Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly had told investigators hired by Fox that Ailes "made unwanted sexual advances toward her" about 10 years ago.
Ailes, who founded the cable channel in 1996, did not sexually harass Kelly, according to a statement attributed to his lawyer in the New York Times on Tuesday. His lawyers did not respond to questions from Reuters. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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