How Has Reporting on Fox News Changed Since Roger Ailes' Departure
Four years after Roger Ailes' departure, Fox News continues to defend itself against new lawsuits that mirror similar accusations. Since Gretchen Carlson sparked a wave of lawsuits in 2016 by accusing Ailes of sexual harassment, the network has faced numerous legal challenges. However, how much has truly changed at Fox News remains a subject of intense debate.
The Impact of Roger Ailes' Legacy
According to Jennifer Eckhart, a former Fox Business producer and one of the plaintiffs in a new lawsuit, very little has changed. When she worked there, she was paralyzed by terror, she told CBS News in an interview that aired on Tuesday. The network hired an outside law firm just days after Eckhart accused Fox host Ed Henry of misbehavior, leading to Henry's swift firing.
For Fox, the rapid response might be seen as proof of improvement, but to external observers, change remains unclear. More than three years after Ailes' passing, his mixed impact is on full display. Ailes, who founded Fox News in 1996, ruled the network like a "gangster," rewarding loyal employees and punishing disloyal ones. He was both revered and feared by the staff, who viewed him as unbeatable. Even his accuser, Gretchen Carlson, was expected to continue managing the network after he was sued.
Shifting the Scope and Culture of Fox News
Despite Ailes' denials, the charges of sexual assault could not be hidden. When the Murdoch family hired their own law firm and began investigating, evidence of wrongdoing surfaced everywhere, leading to a crescendo on July 21, 2016, when Ailes was forced out during the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. The day before, Donald Trump officially became the Republican party's presidential nominee.
For my upcoming book, The Murdochs and Ailes’ Departure, the negotiations were so tense that they couldn't even agree on Ailes' consolation rewards. Ailes, who had commanded the leading TV outlet for the Republican party, was pushed out in the afternoon, while Trump accepted the party's nomination that evening, signaling a new beginning for Fox News.
Innovative but Controversial Changes
Following Ailes' departure, Fox News implemented several changes: new human resources management, a sexual harassment council for the workplace, a formal process for filing allegations, and a 24-hour hotline. In the New York newsroom, Ailes' old office was replaced with a makeover. However, many lawsuits claim that a sexualized environment persisted even after Ailes left.
In 2019, attorney Lisa Bloom, representing contributor Britt McHenry, alleged that the claims of improvement were only superficial. McHenry, who continues to work at Fox, faced additional accusations of misconduct and retribution.
The specific allegations against Ed Henry were unclear when he was terminated in July 2016. Fox News stated that they were forced to take action regarding sexual harassment, misconduct, and discrimination. However, Eckhart's and Cathy Areu's lawsuit detailed Henry's alleged assaults and harassment, as well as other hosts. The lawyers for both women argued that Fox News had a pattern of cover-up and retaliation, while Fox strongly refuted these allegations.
The Current Legal Climate
Exactly four years after the Ailes affair made international headlines, Fox News' atmosphere is once again under scrutiny. A Fox representative declined to comment on the current situation. As the network continues to defend itself, the question of whether substantial changes have occurred remains at the forefront of public debate.