The parent company of Fox News, 21st Century Fox, has settled a lawsuit with former TV anchor Gretchen Carlson. The company also agreed to pay $20 million over sexual harassment claims. NPR media correspondent David Folkenflik joins CBSN with more.
21st Century Fox today issued the following statement on Tuesday September 6, 2016, announcing it has settled Gretchen Carlson’s lawsuit.
“21st Century Fox is pleased to announce that it has settled Gretchen Carlson’s lawsuit. During her tenure at Fox News, Gretchen exhibited the highest standards of journalism and professionalism. She developed a loyal audience and was a daily source of information for many Americans. We are proud that she was part of the Fox News team. We sincerely regret and apologize for the fact that Gretchen was not treated with the respect and dignity that she and all of our colleagues deserve.”
Subsequently, Gretchen Carlson issued the following statement:
“I am gratified that 21st Century Fox took decisive action after I filed my Complaint. I’m ready to move on to the next chapter of my life in which I will redouble my efforts to empower women in the workplace. I want to thank all the brave women who came forward to tell their own stories and the many people across the country who embraced and supported me in their #StandWithGretchen. All women deserve a dignified and respectful workplace in which talent, hard work and loyalty are recognized, revered and rewarded.”
The Gretchen Carlson news came the same day that Greta Van Susteren’s show was terminated. CNN Money reported this morning that Fox deleted the “On the Record” web site, Van Susteren’s biography, and her Gretawire blog about one hour after a courier hand-delivered two letters that said that Van Susteren “was being taken off the air” immediately. CNN Money cited Van Susteran’s husband and Washington lawyer, John Coale, as the source.
Yes, I have left the Fox News Channel.
Last Thursday night, I made my decision and informed Fox News of my decision at that time that I was leaving Fox News Channel per my contract.
Fox has not felt like home to me for a few years and I took advantage of the clause in my contract which allows me to leave now. The clause had a time limitation, meaning I could not wait.
I love my staff, I love my colleagues, and I love the crews. That is the hardest part of this decision as they are wonderful people.
And most of all? I love the viewers — even the ones who have gotten mad at me over the years and taken swipes. :)
I hope to continue my career in broadcasting.
— Greta Van Susteran
Sources said Van Susteren sought to renegotiate the terms of her contract with a large pay increase after Ailes resignation, which allowed her to activate a clause in her contract known as a “key man clause.” After Ailes resigned stemming from the Gretchen Carlson sexual harassment lawsuit, Van Susteren was allowed a 60-day period of time to invoke the “Key man” escape clause.
Joanne Nosuchinsky, a contributor to Fox News’s late night show Red Eye as well as Outnumbered and The Greg Gutfeld Show, also left the network in early August 2016.
Jedediah Bila, who regularly co-hosted The Five and Outnumbered also left Fox this summer. She left in July 2016 work as a co-host on The View.
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