Roger
Ailes, the politically connected chief of Fox News, is negotiating his exit
from the media group amid a lawsuit alleging he sexually harassed a star host,
reports said Tuesday.
Ailes, a
longtime ally of founder Rupert Murdoch who is chairman and chief executive at
Fox News, is discussing terms of his departure, according to The Wall Street
Journal, owned by a separate business unit controlled by Murdoch.
The Journal
and The New York Times both quoted sources close to the situation on the exit
talks as speculation swirled on Ailes's future.
The Daily
Beast reported that Fox had initially confirmed Ailes had negotiated a deal to
leave, but "subsequently walked back that confirmation."
The online
Drudge Report posted a tweet about an exit package worth $40 million for Ailes,
but moments later deleted the tweet.
Fox News
declined to comment on the reports.
"Roger
is at work. The review is ongoing. The only agreement that is in place is his
existing employment agreement," said parent company 21st Century Fox.
 |
The parent
company of Fox News has launched an internal review following a
sexual
harassment lawsuit against the network's powerful boss, Roger Ailes.
Former
anchor Gretchen Carlson alleges she was fired after turning down sexual
advances from the Fox News chairman and CEO. Vinita Nair reports.
|
Earlier
this month, the cable news giant said it had launched an internal review of
allegations in a lawsuit by Fox News host and former Miss America Gretchen
Carlson, who claimed she was fired for rejecting Ailes's sexual advances.
Fox stated
at the time it had "full confidence" in Ailes but added that it was
reviewing the matter.
"We
take these matters seriously," Fox said in the July 6 statement.
New York
Magazine reported Monday that Rupert Murdoch and his sons Lachlan and James had
decided that Ailes would soon be out.
The report,
citing sources close to the situation, said Ailes was given the option of
resigning or being fired this week.
Ailes, a
former consultant to Republican presidents, is a key figure in the media
empire.
Murdoch's
sons have been taking a larger role in operations since the 85-year-old tycoon
announced he was gradually easing control of his corporate empire, which
includes 21st Century Fox and the global publishing group News Corp.
Related Article:
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.