Rupert Murdoch and his sons have reportedly unanimously decided to oust Roger Ailes, the head of Fox News, who is at the centre of a sexual harassment lawsuit.
A report in the US media said that Mr Murdoch and his sons, Lachlan and James, had settled on removing the 76-year-old after reviewing the initial findings of a probe into the allegation of sexual harassment, filed by former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson.
New York magazine said that after looking at the findings of the investigation being conducted by New York law firm Paul, Weiss, James Murdoch said Mr Ailes, the CEO and chairman of Fox News, should be presented with a choice this week to resign or face being fired.
It said that Lachlan Murdoch and his father said no action should be taken until the Republican National Convention is completed, but that all three were in agreement that the controversial Mr Ailes should go. Fox News has yet to respond to inquiries, and neither Rupert, Lachlan, nor James Murdoch could be contacted.
Earlier this month, former Fox & Friends co-host Ms Carlson alleged in a lawsuit that Mr Ailes, did not renew her contract as she rebuffed his sexual advances and she challenged a “sexist” newsroom culture.
Ms Carlson said she was ostracised by the news network because she had refused to accept condescending treatment from the married CEO.
Mr Ailes has rejected Ms Carlson’s allegations. “This is a retaliatory suit for the network’s decision not to renew her contract, which was due to the fact that her disappointingly low ratings were dragging down the afternoon lineup,” he said in a statement.
