NEW YORK: Roger Ailes, who built Fox News into a popular and politically powerful cable network that help redefine US television news, resigned Thursday under the cloud of a ***ual harassment lawsuit.
He was replaced by Rupert Murdoch, head of parent company 21st Century Fox and founder of the empire that includes Fox.
The company said in a statement that the resignation was effective immediately and that Murdoch, 85, would take over the roles of chairman and acting chief executive of Fox
News Channel and Fox Business Network.
The
News comes two weeks after
Ailes was named in a lawsuit by the popular Fox
News host Gretchen Carlson, who claimed she was fired for rejecting his ***ual advances.
The company statement made ** mention of the lawsuit or its review of the allegations.
The move represents tremendous turmoil at Fox, built by
Ailes and Murdoch two decades ago into the leading cable
News channel, drawing praise especially from conservatives and criticism from the political left.
With the change, Rupert Murdoch returns to a bigger role a year after handing over more control of operations to his two sons.
"Roger
Ailes has made a remarkable contribution to our company and our country," Murdoch said in the statement.
"Roger shared my vision of a great and independent television organization and executed it brilliantly over 20 great years."
Murdoch said he and
Ailes created a network that stands "in stark contrast to the self-serving elitism that characterizes far too much of the media."
"I am personally committed to ensuring that Fox
News remains a distinctive, powerful voice," he added. "Our nation needs a robust Fox
News to resonate from every corner of the country."
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