Roger Ailes Resigns From Fox News

It's official
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 21, 2016 3:24 PM CDT
Updated Jul 21, 2016 3:51 PM CDT
Roger Ailes Resigning, Says 21st Century Fox
21st Century Fox says Fox News CEO Roger Ailes, seen here in 2006, is resigning.   (AP Photo/Jim Cooper, File)

It's official: Fox News reports that Roger Ailes has resigned from his role as CEO of the network, effective immediately. Rupert Murdoch will become acting CEO, and will also assume Ailes' former role as chairman of Fox News and Fox Business Network. "Roger Ailes has made a remarkable contribution to our company and our country," Murdoch says in a statement. "Roger shared my vision of a great and independent television organization and executed it brilliantly over 20 great years." The news comes amid an alleged sexual harassment scandal for Ailes. Earlier Thursday, it was reported that Ailes would take a $60 million payout to leave.

Murdoch's sons, Lachlan and James (the executive chairman and CEO, respectively, of 21st Century Fox) also sang Ailes' praises in the statement: "We join our father in recognizing Roger’s remarkable contributions to our company. Our talented Fox News and Fox Business colleagues, up and down the organization and on both sides of the camera, have built something that continues to redefine the cable news experience for millions of viewers. We are enormously proud of their accomplishments." But rumor has it all three Murdochs wanted Ailes out. (More Roger Ailes stories.)

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