(NEW YORK) — Fox News Chairman and CEO Roger Ailes has resigned from the company effective immediately, 21st Century Fox announced in a press release.
According to the release, Rupert Murdoch will take over as chairman and acting CEO of Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network.
“Roger Ailes has made a remarkable contribution to our company and our country,” said Murdoch. “Roger shared my vision of a great and independent television organization and executed it brilliantly over 20 great years.”
He added: “I am personally committed to ensuring that Fox News remains a distinctive, powerful voice.”
Ailes’ resignation comes after former anchor Gretchen Carlson, a mainstay of the network for 11 years, left Fox News on June 23 and shortly afterward filed a lawsuit against her former boss. In it, she alleges that Ailes had “sabotaged” her career after she “refused his sexual advances,” and that her job was terminated in retaliation for rebuffing him and complaining to him about sexual harassment.
Fox News and Ailes have denied Carlson’s allegations in the past.
“Gretchen Carlson’s allegations are false. This is a retaliatory suit for the network’s decision not to renew her contract, which was due to the fact that her disappointingly low ratings were dragging down the afternoon lineup. When Fox News did not commence any negotiations to renew her contract, Ms. Carlson became aware that her career with the network was likely over and conveniently began to pursue a lawsuit.”
In a letter sent to Rupert Murdoch Thursday, Ailes said that “having spent 20 years building this historic business, 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.” Ailes also noted that he looked forward to working with Murdoch as an adviser.
Rupert Murdoch’s sons, Lachlan and James, who are 21st Century Fox’s executive chairman and CEO, respectively, said of Ailes’ resignation: “We join our father in recognizing Roger’s remarkable contributions to our company…. We continue our commitment to maintaining a work environment based on trust and respect. We take seriously our responsibility to uphold these traditional, long-standing values of our company.”
Fox News is owned by 21st Century Fox.
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