Gretchen Carlson vs. Ailes a cultural/media/workplace flashpoint
Former TV anchor Gretchen Carlson said she was grateful that the parent company of Fox News took "decisive action" to quickly settling her sexual harassment lawsuit for a reported $20 million as she pledged to keep fighting for better treatment of women in the workplace.
"I am gratified that 21st Century Fox took decisive action after I filed my Complaint," Carlson, who brought the suit only two months ago, said in a statement on her website. "I'm ready to move on to the next chapter of my life in which I will redouble my efforts to empower women in the workplace.
"I want to thank all the brave women who came forward to tell their own stories and the many people across the country who embraced and supported me in their #StandWithGretchen," she added. "All women deserve a dignified and respectful workplace."
Fox settles Carlson's sexual harassment lawsuit against Ailes for $20M
Greta Van Susteren quits Fox News
Carlson touched off a firestorm at New York City-based Fox News when she filed her lawsuit against network CEO Roger Ailes July 6:
► Having left Fox on June 23, the onetime "Fox and Friends" host said Ailes hindered her career because she "refused to sleep" with him. She also faced "disparaging treatment in the newsroom," she said.
► Ailes adopted an aggressive posture, saying the lawsuit was retaliation for not picking up her contract for an afternoon show to which she had been transferred. Network parent 21st Century Fox — headed by an even more powerful media mogul, Rupert Murdoch — also proclaimed "full confidence" in Ailes. But then . . .
► A law firm hired by 21st Century Fox was brought in to investigate Carlson's complaints. In a couple of weeks, word leaked that a star anchor of the nighttime lineup, Megyn Kelly, had told them that Ailes had sexually harassed her. New York magazine was also reporting that more women were coming forward with stories about Ailes.
► Just two days after the Kelly news — only two weeks and one day after Carlson sued — Ailes quit. He reportedly got $40 million in severance. Murdoch took over on an interim basis, assisted by his two sons. Leadership of the channel has now passed on to two Fox execs each elevated to the positions of co-president, Jack Abernethy and Bill Shine. But . . .
► Even as Fox News and Ailes move past Carlson's case, they face a harassment lawsuit from another anchor, Andrea Tantaros, who filed Aug. 22. "Fox News masquerades as defender of traditional family values, but behind the scenes, it operates like a sex-fueled, Playboy Mansion-like cult, steeped in intimidation, indecency, and misogyny," her complaint reads.