Roger Ailes Resigns from Fox News Network; Rupert Murdoch Acting CEO

Fox News chief Roger Ailes has resigned from the the Fox News network following sexual harassment allegations, 21st Century Fox confirmed Thursday.

Sexual harassment allegations were recently brought forward by former anchor Gretchen Carlson

Ailes’ departure is effective immediately and Chairman Rupert Murdoch himself is now the acting CEO.

Ailes, 76, hosted Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity and brought a conservative editorial point of view. Ailes developed a conservative news/editorial channel while purporting to be a “Fair and Balanced news channel. Fox has dominated all other cable news channels for 14 years.

Today’s announcement of Ailes resignation developed two weeks after former Fox host Gretchen Carlson sued Ailes, alleging sexual harassment and triggering an internal investigation of Ailes’ behavior.

New York Magazine reported earlier in July that at least six other women told the lawyers conducting the internal review that he had behaved inappropriately toward them, and today Carlson’s lawyers released a statement saying that they had received accusations of sexual harassment against Ailes from “more than 20 women.”

The claims have not been independently verified.

Rupert Murdoch was on vacation, but flew back to New York early to participate in the talks. After being briefed on the initial findings from the investigation, Murdoch and his sons James and Lachlan decided that Ailes must be removed.

Fox News is three months away from the 20th anniversary of the channel’s launch. The network skyrocketed passed CNN with better ratings within 6 years.

There are reports of a possible talent “walkout” because of Ailes’ departure. Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity, have something called a “key man clause” in their contracts, allowing them to leave the network if a key executive, such as Ailes, leaves.

As of 4:50 p.m. ET Bill O’Reilly, Sean Hannity and Megyn Kelly had no reference to the Ailes on their Facebook or Twitter accounts.

There is some media and social media backlash regarding Megyn Kelly’s wavering on statements and behavior.

Comments on Kelly’s Facebook Page

Megyn Kelly looks like she is wearing a bathing suit on her head shots tonight. Where is her stunning professionalism?

Why did you come out and say you were sexually harassed by Ailes when just last year you thanked him for helping your career. ALSO he told you the sexy off the shoulder photo shoot was not good for your career. Make up your mind Meg!

And do you see how she is (not) dressed tonight while she offers commentary at the convention? Looks like she took a wrong turn on her way to the beach, not ready for prime time news. Particularly ironic tonight as she recently made charges against Roger Ailes.

Callum Borchers on the Washington Post wrote “Megyn Kelly has told investigators hired by 21st Century Fox that Fox News chief executive Roger Ailes made unwanted sexual advances a decade ago, according to New York magazine, bolstering allegations made in a sexual-harassment lawsuit brought by former anchor Gretchen Carlson.” Then Borchers asked, “if that’s true, why did she tell Variety in April that ‘I really like working for Roger Ailes’?

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