Tuesday, July 19, 2016
NEWSMAKERS
Fox News parent says Ailes investigation has not been resolved
NEW YORK
Fox News Channel’s parent company says there has been no resolution to its probe into the conduct of network chief Roger Ailes, who is accused by a former network anchor of forcing her out because she refused to have sex with him.
The statement from 21st Century Fox on Monday came in response to a New York magazine story that said, citing anonymous sources, that company heads Rupert Murdoch and his sons, Lachlan and James, had decided to remove Ailes, a native of Warren, Ohio.
“This matter is not yet resolved and the review is not concluded,” 21st Century Fox said.
Ailes, 76 and the founder of the top-ranked and hugely profitable news network, has denied the accusations of Gretchen Carlson, which were made in a lawsuit. Carlson said there was a culture of harassment at Fox News, and when she complained to Ailes, he said, “you and I should have had a sexual relationship a long time ago.” Other women have come forward accusing Ailes of sexual misconduct in the years before he started Fox in 1996, and several Fox personalities have publicly defended their boss.
21st Century Fox hired the New York law firm Paul, Weiss to investigate the case and interview others at Fox about Ailes.
A Fox News Channel spokeswoman referred questions to 21st Century Fox.
Timing of the discussion is extraordinary, on the first day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Built from scratch by Ailes, Fox News has been run by him since day one.
First lady’s ‘Carpool Karaoke’ video to air
LOS ANGELES
Michelle Obama’s “Carpool Karaoke” joyride with James Corden will air Wednesday on the late-night host’s CBS show.
The first lady and Corden sing “This Is For My Girls,” described as a “girl-power anthem” intended to promote full access to education worldwide.
The song was written by Grammy-winner Diane Warren and includes artists Kelly Clarkson, Missy Elliott, Janelle Monae, Kelly Rowland, Lea Michele and Zendaya.
It was produced by AOL’s Makers, a women’s leadership platform. A teaser clip for Obama’s taped appearance on “The Late Late Show with James Corden” was to be posted Monday night at www.makers.com/thisisformygirls.
AOL wasn’t letting on whether any of the pop stars who recorded “This Is For My Girls” will join Obama and Corden in the “Carpool Karaoke” video, which was taped last month in Washington. The song was released in March after the first lady spoke at the South by Southwest festival in Texas.
The tune benefits Let Girls Learn, an initiative launched last year by the first lady and President Barack Obama to address the barriers that keep more than 62 million girls around the world out of school.
Associated Press