the downfall of one of the most powerful men in the media space US has many of the ingredients in a web of intrigue: sex, power, money and politics.
Roger Ailes, mastermind of the success of the conservative Fox news and whom some also consider smith current Republican Party, presented on Thursday his resignation as president and CEO of the channel leading news cable television in the country.
the announcement is confirmation of a rumor circulating for days in the US
S nly had to wait to see if Ailes went on his own initiative or was fired .
What is what happened?
“I ogling”
In just two weeks, Ailes has been stripped of power and aura of invincibility that characterized it for decades.
On July 6, the expresentadora Fox News Gretchen Carlson filed a sexual harassment suit against Ailes alleging that the company terminated his contract for rejecting advances and insinuations of now president of the chain.
Carlson, 50, Miss America 1989, said in the lawsuit that Ailes of 76 years “the ogling, made comments on her legs, asking him to dress clothes that underline their figure and said it was sexy but required much work. “
On June 23, he learned that his contract would not be renewed.
According to the lawsuit, Carlson convened nine months before a meeting with Ailes to address their problems in the company and says he was told. “you and I should have had a sexual relationship long ago”
After the outbreak of the scandal, Ailes denied the allegations and said the performance Carlson was a revenge for the termination of his contract .
from there, there was an exchange of accusations between Carlson and Ailes did not seem to be to have such immediate consequences.
Until Megyn Kelly spoke.
The last straw for Ailes
the case took a major turn this week following the announcement that 21st Century Fox, the parent company of Fox News, hired a team of lawyers to investigate allegations of Gretchen Carlson against Roger Ailes.
that the bomb was uncovered: the rising star of the chain, Megyn Kelly, spoke to the lawyers to say that she also suffered sexual harassment by Ailes mid-2000s, when he was a young correspondent in Washington DC.
Although no official voice says so openly, it appears that the declaration of Kelly, whom the channel has pinned its hopes to capture a younger audience and that this year acquired prominence for his shock and subsequent reconciliation with the Republican candidate Donald Trump, was the last straw that finished off the hegemony of Ailes.
media Influence and politics
the extraordinary power of Roger Ailes was not limited to the media.
his imprint on the mark GOP television is undeniable.
in his years as press adviser to President Richard Nixon in the late 60 , Ailes helped design a plan to place the call GOP (Grand Old Party) on television, a strategy that is perfectly adapted profile of a figure to as Donald Trump.
Gabriel Sherman, editor of the New York Magazine , what is surprising is not the charge of sexual harassment against Ailes but the speed with which the controversy has ended with such a powerful figure
In his book the Loudest Voice in the Room. How the Brilliant, Bombastic Roger Ailes Built Fox News – and Divided a Country ( “the loudest voice: how brilliant and bombastic Roger Ailes built Fox News and divided a country”), 2014, Sherman and documented examples of dominant style and mercilessly Ailes as head
Sherman He considers the output of Ailes is explained not only by the influence of Megyn Kelly but by the desire of the children of Rupert Murdoch, James and Lachlian, to promote a rotation of Fox News to positions more centrist.
Thus, the statement Kelly would have served as the reporter, to give it a pretext for Murdoch to get rid of Ailes.
a farewell on the best terms
After days of debate, in which said Roger Ailes had a deadline of August 1 to submit his resignation, Fox News has lived the situation like the fall of an authoritarian regime, notes Sherman .
However, statements Thursday of each other occurred in the most cordial terms.
First, the magnate Rupert Murdoch issued a statement indicating that assumes as president and interim CEO of Fox News and Fox Business News.
in the text, Murdoch praised the work of Ailes:
“ Roger Ailes made an outstanding contribution to our company and our country Roger shared my vision of an organization. largest independent television and ran for more than 20 excellent years Dear Rupert “and type”
Shortly after the release of Ailes himself, who in an affectionate tone turns to Murdoch with spread. “;
“After spending 20 years building this historic business, will not let my presence be a distraction from the work that must be done every day to ensure that Fox News and Fox business continue to lead our industry. “
No mention of the sex scandal. Ailes is as a director of 21st Century Fox and Rupert Murdoch’s sons may continue with the reforms that you want to give the powerful news channel.
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