Fox News has imposed a "soft ban" on former US president Donald Trump's appearance on the channel. Trump's inner circle is reported to have complained of Fox's implicit Trump ban.

The broadcaster continues to extend warm invitations to other Republican hopefuls for the 2024 run for the White House.

According to a Semafor report, the relations between the former president and his once-upon-a-time-beloved cable news channel has gone to the point of "soft ban" or "silent ban" against him.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rupert-murdoch-admits-some-fox-news-hosts-endorsed-trumps-false-election-claims-566645">Rupert Murdoch admits some Fox News hosts 'endorsed' Trump's false election claims</a>

Trump has not made a showing on Fox News since he last spoke on-air with one of the network's star hosts, Sean Hannity, in September.

However, Trump’s rivals for the 2024 Republican presidential nominations are making frequent appearances on Fox.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Media mogul Rupert Murdoch testifies Fox News hosts 'endorsed' Trump's stolen election narrative

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/media-mogul-rupert-murdoch-testifies-fox-news-hosts-endorsed-trumps-stolen-election-narrative-566693/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley has made seven weekday appearances on Fox News, according to a watchdog 'Media Matters for America'. Haley launched her presidential bid last month.

Activist and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who pitched himself as a presidential hopeful last month, has also appeared four times on Fox so far this week. Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis, widely expected to compete with Trump is repeatedly seen on the network.

Trump has vented his anger towards his former media friend Rupert Murdoch. This week, he accused Murdoch of peddling “fake news” after the Fox chief was reported to have said in a deposition that he did not believe that the 2020 presidential election was stolen – as Trump and his supporters had claimed – from the beginning.

“If Rupert Murdoch honestly believes that the presidential election of 2020, despite massive amounts of proof to the contrary, was not rigged and&nbsp;stolen, then he &amp; his group of Maga hating globalist Rinos [Republicans in name only] should get out of the news business as soon as possible,” Trump said. 
 
(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Fox News has imposed a "soft ban" on former US president Donald Trump's appearance on the channel. Trump's inner circle is reported to have complained of Fox's implicit Trump ban.

Fox News has imposed a "soft ban" on former US president Donald Trump's appearance on the channel. Trump's inner circle is reported to have complained of Fox's implicit Trump ban. The broadcaster continues to extend warm invitations to other Republican hopefuls for the 2024 run for the White House. According to a Semafor report, the relations between the former president and his once-upon-a-time-beloved cable news channel has gone to the point of "soft ban" or "silent ban" against him. ALSO READ | Rupert Murdoch admits some Fox News hosts 'endorsed' Trump's false election claims Trump has not made a showing on Fox News since he last spoke on-air with one of the network's star hosts, Sean Hannity, in September. However, Trump’s rivals for the 2024 Republican presidential nominations are making frequent appearances on Fox. ALSO WATCH | Media mogul Rupert Murdoch testifies Fox News hosts 'endorsed' Trump's stolen election narrative × Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley has made seven weekday appearances on Fox News, according to a watchdog 'Media Matters for America'. Haley launched her presidential bid last month. Activist and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who pitched himself as a presidential hopeful last month, has also appeared four times on Fox so far this week. Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis, widely expected to compete with Trump is repeatedly seen on the network. Trump has vented his anger towards his former media friend Rupert Murdoch. This week, he accused Murdoch of peddling “fake news” after the Fox chief was reported to have said in a deposition that he did not believe that the 2020 presidential election was stolen – as Trump and his supporters had claimed – from the beginning. “If Rupert Murdoch honestly believes that the presidential election of 2020, despite massive amounts of proof to the contrary, was not rigged and stolen, then he & his group of Maga hating globalist Rinos [Republicans in name only] should get out of the news business as soon as possible,” Trump said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Has Fox News dumped Donald Trump? Stumped by shadow ban, ex-president targets Murdoch

Rupert Murdoch acknowledged under oath that Fox News hosts endorsed Trump’s claims that the 2020 election was stolen. The media mogul also admitted he didn't step in to stop Fox News hosts from promoting the claims.

Media mogul Rupert Murdoch testifies Fox News hosts 'endorsed' Trump's stolen election narrative

A US court filing has revealed that several top executives at Fox News privately made fun of Donald Trump's claims of election fraud in the 2020 elections, even though the channel ran the lies about election fraud. The filing, that is part of the Dominion Voting System’s $1.6 billion lawsuit against Fox News, contains messages about the ridicule for the matter by the executives.

Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity, and Laura Ingraham shared messages, brutally mocking the election fraud lies that former President Donald Trump tried to push ahead.&nbsp;

One set of messages contained in the court filing talk about how Carlson texted Ingraham and said that Sidney Powell, an attorney representing the Trump campaign, was “lying” about the election rigging and that he had “caught her” doing so. Ingraham responded, “Sidney is a complete nut. No one will work with her. Ditto with Rudy [Giuliani].”

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/rupert-murdoch-scraps-plans-to-re-unite-news-corp-and-fox-corp-555827">Rupert Murdoch scraps plan to re-unite News Corp and Fox a decade after split</a>

In fact, at one point, Rupert Murdoch, the chairman of Fox Corporation, wanted Carlson, Hannity, and Ingraham to come together in prime time to declare Joe Biden as the rightful winner. Murdoch believed that doing so “would go a long way to stop the Trump myth that the election was stolen.”

The Dominion lawsuit filed against Fox News in March 2021 alleges that the right-wing channel blatantly pushed pro-Trump conspiracy theories and “recklessly disregarded the truth”. The lawsuit says that Fox chose to do since “the lies were good for Fox’s business.”

Meanwhile, Fox hit back at the court filing, and said that it contained "cherry-picked quotes".&nbsp;

“There will be a lot of noise and confusion generated by Dominion and their opportunistic private equity owners, but the core of this case remains about freedom of the press and freedom of speech, which are fundamental rights afforded by the Constitution and protected by New York Times v. Sullivan,” the network said.

The legal filing also showed that Fox was worried about losing viewership to Newsmax after Trump attacked the channel and called on his supporters to switch to Newsmax. In fact, people heard Trump and did just that. Fox News lost a huge chunk of viewers to Newsmax. The channel got so worried that it started to come down hard on those within the channel fact-checking election lies. In one instance, Carlson even called Hannity to fire a correspondent who fact-checked a Trump tweet.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

A US court filing has revealed that several top executives at Fox News privately made fun of Donald Trump's claims of election fraud in the 2020 elections, even though the channel ran the lies about election fraud.

A US court filing has revealed that several top executives at Fox News privately made fun of Donald Trump's claims of election fraud in the 2020 elections, even though the channel ran the lies about election fraud. The filing, that is part of the Dominion Voting System’s $1.6 billion lawsuit against Fox News, contains messages about the ridicule for the matter by the executives. Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity, and Laura Ingraham shared messages, brutally mocking the election fraud lies that former President Donald Trump tried to push ahead. One set of messages contained in the court filing talk about how Carlson texted Ingraham and said that Sidney Powell, an attorney representing the Trump campaign, was “lying” about the election rigging and that he had “caught her” doing so. Ingraham responded, “Sidney is a complete nut. No one will work with her. Ditto with Rudy [Giuliani].” Also Read | Rupert Murdoch scraps plan to re-unite News Corp and Fox a decade after split In fact, at one point, Rupert Murdoch, the chairman of Fox Corporation, wanted Carlson, Hannity, and Ingraham to come together in prime time to declare Joe Biden as the rightful winner. Murdoch believed that doing so “would go a long way to stop the Trump myth that the election was stolen.” The Dominion lawsuit filed against Fox News in March 2021 alleges that the right-wing channel blatantly pushed pro-Trump conspiracy theories and “recklessly disregarded the truth”. The lawsuit says that Fox chose to do since “the lies were good for Fox’s business.” Meanwhile, Fox hit back at the court filing, and said that it contained "cherry-picked quotes". “There will be a lot of noise and confusion generated by Dominion and their opportunistic private equity owners, but the core of this case remains about freedom of the press and freedom of speech, which are fundamental rights afforded by the Constitution and protected by New York Times v. Sullivan,” the network said. The legal filing also showed that Fox was worried about losing viewership to Newsmax after Trump attacked the channel and called on his supporters to switch to Newsmax. In fact, people heard Trump and did just that. Fox News lost a huge chunk of viewers to Newsmax. The channel got so worried that it started to come down hard on those within the channel fact-checking election lies. In one instance, Carlson even called Hannity to fire a correspondent who fact-checked a Trump tweet. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Top Fox News executives mocked Trump’s election rigging claims, court filing shows

It has long been expected that Media baron Rupert Murdoch's all-encompassing empire of Fox corporation and News Corp will go to his older son Lachlan Murdoch. However, a soon-to-be-released book titled 'The Successor: The High-Stakes Life of Lachlan Murdoch' claims that Lachlan will be fired, a day after his father dies.

It has long been expected that Media baron Rupert Murdoch's all-encompassing empire of Fox corporation and News Corp will go to his older son Lachlan Murdoch. However, a soon-to-be-released book titled 'The Successor: The High-Stakes Life of Lachlan Murdoch' claims that Lachlan will be fired, a day after his father dies. Author Paddy Manning cited a Wall Street analyst who has covered the Murdoch business for decades as saying, "it would be ‘fair to assume Lachlan gets fired the day Rupert dies'." The insider dubbed the breakdown in the relationship between the brothers Lachlan and James Murdoch as one of the prominent reasons for the former's potential ouster. The synopsis given by Manning of his book has eerie similarities to the plot of the hit HBO series 'Succession' where Logan Roy, a fictional character loosely based on Rupert Murdoch similarly disowns his oldest son from inheriting the media empire. “In a plausible scenario. After Rupert has passed and his shares are dispersed among the four adult children, the three on the other side of Lachlan could choose to manifest control over all of the Murdoch businesses, and to do it in a way that enhances democracies around the world rather than undermining them," added Manning. WATCH | US Fed Report: Government paid $1 Billion to American media to promote COVID-19 vaccines × The author was referring to the divide within the Murdoch family that has widened in the years gone by. While Lachlan sits firmly on the conservative end of the spectrum, controlling Fox News, New York Post and the Wall Street Journal - his younger brother James is more focused on strengthening democracy, climate activism, political causes and of course defeating Donald Trump. Manning believes that in the absence of senior Murdoch, the family will edge out Lachlan, so as to nurture a more credible and cohesive image instead of the current symbiotic relationship with the Republicans. Read more: Nearly a decade after the split, Rupert Murdoch mulling merging Fox and News Corp again The succession plan, however, will get increasingly complex or simple based on merger plans laid down by Rupert Murdoch. As reported by WION, last month, the business mogul was mulling plans of merging News Corp and Fox Corp., a little less than 10 years after they were split. To evaluate a possible merger, the two companies have established executive committees. The proposal is still in its infancy and both companies are yet to ascertain the completion of the deal. The split transpired in 2013 and Murdoch, at the time attributed the decision to simplifying operations which had become 'increasingly complex' due to the vast size of his media holdings. However, since then, much water has flown under the bridge. The advertising sales revenue has fallen to record lows for media companies in the last few years. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Is Murdoch 'Succession' more dramatic than the HBO show? A book has some clues

Fox News is facing flak for airing a fake image of the federal judge who signed off on the warrant allowing FBI agents to search former president Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago.

In the altered image, the photo of the judge was placed onto an old photo of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein getting a foot massage by convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell.

The image was photoshopped onto the image holding Oreos and a bottle of whiskey. It was credited to the Twitter account @whatimemetosay, which describes itself as a “digital art creator”.

The image was aired on Thursday’s Tucker Carlson Tonight, where the stand-in host, Brian Kilmeade, teased the fake image in the live 9 pm show.

“So, a picture of Bruce Reinhart, this is the judge in charge of the, of the ah... of the ah, as you know of the warrant. And we’ll see if he’s going to release it next. He likes Oreos and whiskey,” Kilmeade said while speaking to another Fox News host Sean Hannity, adding, “Sean, can you relate to that?”

To which Hannity replied, “I think that’s actually a picture of Jeffrey Epstein with somebody putting his head on there … I’m guessing, I don’t know.”

“Who knows?” Kilmeade then concluded.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Here's how Brian Kilmeade teased showing a fake photo of Bruce Reinhart, the magistrate judge who signed the Mar-a-Lago warrant, with Ghislaine Maxwell: "You won't believe who he's pictured getting cozy with." Indeed! <a href="https://t.co/lZUThAs4wb">https://t.co/lZUThAs4wb</a> <a href="https://t.co/yncopOpjxF">pic.twitter.com/yncopOpjxF</a>
— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) <a href="https://twitter.com/MattGertz/status/1558068913119846406?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The original photo taken in September 2017 was released by federal prosecutors&nbsp;during Maxwell’s child sex-trafficking trial&nbsp;late last year.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/top-secret-documents-linked-to-nuclear-weapons-seized-in-raid-on-donald-trumps-home-506373" hreflang="en">'Top secret' documents 'linked to nuclear weapons' seized in raid on Donald Trump's home</a>

People were quick to point out that it was a fake image and slammed the right-wing network on social media for airing the altered photo.

&nbsp;“This is Fox, and this is Kilmeade. (The judge) should sue, because s*** like this needs to cost them,” Democratic activist Ron Filipkowski said, reports Independent.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/does-donald-trumps-probe-involve-violations-of-espionage-act-all-you-need-to-know-506372" hreflang="en">Does Donald Trump's probe involve violations of Espionage Act? All you need to know</a>

Since then, Kilmeade apologised tweeting,&nbsp;“Last night while subbing for Tucker Carlson, we showed you an image of Judge Bruce Reinhart w/ Ghislaine Maxwell that was sourced on screen to a meme pulled from Twitter &amp; wasn’t real. This depiction never took place &amp; we wanted to make clear that we were showing a meme in jest.”

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

Fox News is facing flak for airing a fake image of the federal judge who signed off on the warrant allowing FBI agents to search former president Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago.

Fox News is facing flak for airing a fake image of the federal judge who signed off on the warrant allowing FBI agents to search former president Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago. In the altered image, the photo of the judge was placed onto an old photo of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein getting a foot massage by convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. The image was photoshopped onto the image holding Oreos and a bottle of whiskey. It was credited to the Twitter account @whatimemetosay, which describes itself as a “digital art creator”. The image was aired on Thursday’s Tucker Carlson Tonight, where the stand-in host, Brian Kilmeade, teased the fake image in the live 9 pm show. “So, a picture of Bruce Reinhart, this is the judge in charge of the, of the ah... of the ah, as you know of the warrant. And we’ll see if he’s going to release it next. He likes Oreos and whiskey,” Kilmeade said while speaking to another Fox News host Sean Hannity, adding, “Sean, can you relate to that?” To which Hannity replied, “I think that’s actually a picture of Jeffrey Epstein with somebody putting his head on there … I’m guessing, I don’t know.” “Who knows?” Kilmeade then concluded. Here's how Brian Kilmeade teased showing a fake photo of Bruce Reinhart, the magistrate judge who signed the Mar-a-Lago warrant, with Ghislaine Maxwell: "You won't believe who he's pictured getting cozy with." Indeed! https://t.co/lZUThAs4wb pic.twitter.com/yncopOpjxF — Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) August 12, 2022 × The original photo taken in September 2017 was released by federal prosecutors during Maxwell’s child sex-trafficking trial late last year. Also read | 'Top secret' documents 'linked to nuclear weapons' seized in raid on Donald Trump's home People were quick to point out that it was a fake image and slammed the right-wing network on social media for airing the altered photo. “This is Fox, and this is Kilmeade. (The judge) should sue, because s*** like this needs to cost them,” Democratic activist Ron Filipkowski said, reports Independent. Also read | Does Donald Trump's probe involve violations of Espionage Act? All you need to know Since then, Kilmeade apologised tweeting, “Last night while subbing for Tucker Carlson, we showed you an image of Judge Bruce Reinhart w/ Ghislaine Maxwell that was sourced on screen to a meme pulled from Twitter & wasn’t real. This depiction never took place & we wanted to make clear that we were showing a meme in jest.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Fox News faces flak for airing doctored pic of judge who ordered raid at Trump’s house

Prominent Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson is being ridiculed on Twitte over his new series on mascuinity. Carlson has a large following among American voters who lean towards right of the nation's political spectrum. Tucker Carlson has said that masculinity is under threat.

In the trailer for "The End of Men," Carlson worries about "the total collapse of testosterone levels in American men," which he says is "a huge story that no one covers."

The short clip is set to the theme music from "2001: A Space Odyssey,". The clip shows muscular white men wrestling shirtless, doing pushups, milking a cow, making barbecue and other such activities.

Others chop wood or carry tractor tires, always bare-chested.&nbsp;

A naked man with his arms outstretched appears towards the end of the clip. What appears to be a machine emits orange light obscuring his private parts.

The voiceover, meanwhile, talks about "men who are tough, men who are resourceful, men who are strong enough to survive."

The excerpt has triggered an avalanche of mockery on social networks, with many users commenting on what they call the "homoeroticism" of the footage, in stark contrast to the professed traditional family values widely propounded on Fox News.

"You could literally just change the voiceover and make this an ad for Grindr," the gay hook-up site, commented one Democratic activist.&nbsp;

In another teaser clip, Carlson talks to a sports coach from Ohio who is the promoter of "red light therapy," a practice that, he says, includes "testicle tanning."

Without explicitly defending this practice, which has not been endorsed by medical professionals, Carlson insists on the need to "seek a solution" to the drop in testosterone levels.

The trailer, and Tucker Carlson, are being trolled online&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I was not at all prepared. <a href="https://t.co/0kCbNzDd9u">pic.twitter.com/0kCbNzDd9u</a>
— Irene Adler (@Irene_X_Adler) <a href="https://twitter.com/Irene_X_Adler/status/1515181341104652289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Wait. Is this a parody?
— Cathy Young 🇺🇦 (@CathyYoung63) <a href="https://twitter.com/CathyYoung63/status/1515416761847500800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Prominent Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson is being ridiculed on Twitte over his new series on mascuinity. Carlson has a large following among American voters who lean towards right of the nation's political spectrum.

Prominent Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson is being ridiculed on Twitte over his new series on mascuinity. Carlson has a large following among American voters who lean towards right of the nation's political spectrum. Tucker Carlson has said that masculinity is under threat. In the trailer for "The End of Men," Carlson worries about "the total collapse of testosterone levels in American men," which he says is "a huge story that no one covers." The short clip is set to the theme music from "2001: A Space Odyssey,". The clip shows muscular white men wrestling shirtless, doing pushups, milking a cow, making barbecue and other such activities. Others chop wood or carry tractor tires, always bare-chested. A naked man with his arms outstretched appears towards the end of the clip. What appears to be a machine emits orange light obscuring his private parts. The voiceover, meanwhile, talks about "men who are tough, men who are resourceful, men who are strong enough to survive." The excerpt has triggered an avalanche of mockery on social networks, with many users commenting on what they call the "homoeroticism" of the footage, in stark contrast to the professed traditional family values widely propounded on Fox News. "You could literally just change the voiceover and make this an ad for Grindr," the gay hook-up site, commented one Democratic activist. In another teaser clip, Carlson talks to a sports coach from Ohio who is the promoter of "red light therapy," a practice that, he says, includes "testicle tanning." Without explicitly defending this practice, which has not been endorsed by medical professionals, Carlson insists on the need to "seek a solution" to the drop in testosterone levels. The trailer, and Tucker Carlson, are being trolled online I was not at all prepared. pic.twitter.com/0kCbNzDd9u — Irene Adler (@Irene_X_Adler) April 16, 2022 × Wait. Is this a parody? — Cathy Young 🇺🇦 (@CathyYoung63) April 16, 2022 × (With inputs from agencies)

Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson gets trolled for his show on masculinity

Fox News has come under criticism over a promotional video that strengthens <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump's </a>claim that the presidential election was rigged.&nbsp;

Andrew Laurence of Media Matters for America, shared the video on Twitter, in which the channel's anchors were questioning the legality of the election.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Oh my god, Fox is running a promo of their "opinion" hosts casting doubt on the election results and I guess trying to keep their rabid viewers sated lmao <a href="https://t.co/Al1bfzStSZ">pic.twitter.com/Al1bfzStSZ</a>
— Andrew Lawrence (@ndrew_lawrence) <a href="https://twitter.com/ndrew_lawrence/status/1327406000513699840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"Oh my god, Fox is running a promo of their "opinion" hosts casting doubt on the election results and I guess trying to keep their rabid viewers sated," Laurence wrote on Twitter.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-supporters-protest-in-washington-echo-his-election-fraud-claims-343197">Trump supporters protest in Washington, echo his election fraud claims</a>

In the video, anchor Tucker Carlson was heard saying: "There are apparent irregularities".&nbsp;

"The media mob, and the Democrats, they lie," said Sean Hannity, in the video.&nbsp;

Trump has refused to concede defeat to President-elect <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>, stressing that the election was rigged, but has not provided any evidence to substantiate his claims.&nbsp;

Fox News, which is known for favouring Trump and Republicans, has been facing severe slamming since it was quick to say that key battleground state of Arizona has been won by Biden like other networks.&nbsp;

"Fox News daytime ratings have completely collapsed," Trump on Thursday said in a tweet,&nbsp;

"Weekend daytime even WORSE. Very sad to watch this happen, but they forgot what made them successful, what got them there. They forgot the Golden Goose. The biggest difference between the 2016 Election, and 2020, was Fox News!"

Fox News has come under criticism over a promotional video that strengthens Donald Trump's claim that the presidential election was rigged. Andrew Laurence of Media Matters for America, shared the video on Twitter, in which the channel's anchors were questioning the legality of the election.

Fox News has come under criticism over a promotional video that strengthens Donald Trump's claim that the presidential election was rigged. Andrew Laurence of Media Matters for America, shared the video on Twitter, in which the channel's anchors were questioning the legality of the election. Oh my god, Fox is running a promo of their "opinion" hosts casting doubt on the election results and I guess trying to keep their rabid viewers sated lmao pic.twitter.com/Al1bfzStSZ — Andrew Lawrence (@ndrew_lawrence) November 14, 2020 × "Oh my god, Fox is running a promo of their "opinion" hosts casting doubt on the election results and I guess trying to keep their rabid viewers sated," Laurence wrote on Twitter. Also read | Trump supporters protest in Washington, echo his election fraud claims In the video, anchor Tucker Carlson was heard saying: "There are apparent irregularities". "The media mob, and the Democrats, they lie," said Sean Hannity, in the video. Trump has refused to concede defeat to President-elect Joe Biden, stressing that the election was rigged, but has not provided any evidence to substantiate his claims. Fox News, which is known for favouring Trump and Republicans, has been facing severe slamming since it was quick to say that key battleground state of Arizona has been won by Biden like other networks. "Fox News daytime ratings have completely collapsed," Trump on Thursday said in a tweet, "Weekend daytime even WORSE. Very sad to watch this happen, but they forgot what made them successful, what got them there. They forgot the Golden Goose. The biggest difference between the 2016 Election, and 2020, was Fox News!"

Fox News faces criticism for video supporting Trump's election rigging claim

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/some-tesla-directors-proposed-james-murdoch-succeed-musk-chairman-report-169102">James Murdoch</a>, the son of media mogul Rupert Murdoch has denounced the coverage of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/climate-crisis-to-be-part-of-school-education-in-new-zealand-273868">climate crisis</a>, especially the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/smoke-plummetted-from-australian-bushfire-will-take-a-full-circuit-and-return-to-the-nation-nasa-274181">Australian bushfire</a> by his father's news outlet.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/smoke-plummetted-from-australian-bushfire-will-take-a-full-circuit-and-return-to-the-nation-nasa-274181">Satellite images reveal the extent of Australian bushfire damage</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/happy-birthday-rupert-murdoch-a-look-at-media-moguls-life-716">Rupert Murdoch</a> has stepped away from the family business last year.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/happy-birthday-rupert-murdoch-a-look-at-media-moguls-life-716">A look back at media mogul Rupert Murdoch's life</a>

James said that he is ''disappointed'' with the ''conservative bent of mind'' of his father's news outlets.

He considered them to be in ''denial'' specifically when the wildfire has had such a devastating impact on Australia.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://13.235.153.162/videos/australia-bushfires-over-50000-sq-km-of-land-consumed-by-fire-271107/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

James and his wife Kathryn, an environmental advocate expressed their discontentment and frustration with Fox coverage and News Corp in particular.

The couple believes that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/oscar-winning-actor-geoffrey-rush-gets-record-defamation-payout-221250">News Corp</a> and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/margot-robbie-joins-cast-of-fox-news-sex-abuse-scandal-156467">Fox News</a> tried to highlight arson as a major reason behind climate change to overshadow the obvious contradictory evidence.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://t.co/93WEswvZc0">https://t.co/93WEswvZc0</a>
— Kathryn Murdoch (@KathrynAMurdoch) <a href="https://twitter.com/KathrynAMurdoch/status/1216862883713298434?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Interestingly, James is still on the board of News Corp.

However, he is not employed by his father's businesses and runs a private investment company.

The connection between fires and climate was termed as ''hysterical'' and ''silly'' by the Murdoch columnists.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/smoke-plummetted-from-australian-bushfire-will-take-a-full-circuit-and-return-to-the-nation-nasa-274181">Australian bushfire smoke will take a 'full circuit' and return to the nation: NASA</a>

Rupert Murdoch describes himself as a 'climate sceptic' and denies employing '<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/the-corrupt-pillars-of-climate-change-denial-265220">climate deniers</a>'.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/the-corrupt-pillars-of-climate-change-denial-265220">The corrupt pillars of climate change denial</a>

70 percent&nbsp;of newspaper circulation in Australia's major cities are owned by Murdoch owned titles.

James has previously criticized his father's news outlet as well but this is by far the strongest condemnation yet.

James Murdoch, the son of media mogul Rupert Murdoch has denounced the coverage of climate crisis, especially the Australian bushfire by his father's news outlet.

James Murdoch, the son of media mogul Rupert Murdoch has denounced the coverage of climate crisis, especially the Australian bushfire by his father's news outlet. Also see: Satellite images reveal the extent of Australian bushfire damage Rupert Murdoch has stepped away from the family business last year. Also see: A look back at media mogul Rupert Murdoch's life James said that he is ''disappointed'' with the ''conservative bent of mind'' of his father's news outlets. He considered them to be in ''denial'' specifically when the wildfire has had such a devastating impact on Australia. × James and his wife Kathryn, an environmental advocate expressed their discontentment and frustration with Fox coverage and News Corp in particular. The couple believes that News Corp and Fox News tried to highlight arson as a major reason behind climate change to overshadow the obvious contradictory evidence. https://t.co/93WEswvZc0 — Kathryn Murdoch (@KathrynAMurdoch) January 13, 2020 × Interestingly, James is still on the board of News Corp. However, he is not employed by his father's businesses and runs a private investment company. The connection between fires and climate was termed as ''hysterical'' and ''silly'' by the Murdoch columnists. Also read: Australian bushfire smoke will take a 'full circuit' and return to the nation: NASA Rupert Murdoch describes himself as a 'climate sceptic' and denies employing 'climate deniers'. Also read: The corrupt pillars of climate change denial 70 percent of newspaper circulation in Australia's major cities are owned by Murdoch owned titles. James has previously criticized his father's news outlet as well but this is by far the strongest condemnation yet.

Rupert Murdoch's son condemns Fox News and News Corp for coverage of climate change, Australian bushfire

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/google-begins-rolling-out-rich-communication-services-to-do-more-with-messages-262225">Google</a> said Tuesday its digital assistant will serve as a "news host" on its connected devices to deliver stories from a variety of its media partners.

The feature called Your News Update will be activated by asking the Google Assistant to read the news.

The artificial intelligence program will deliver "a mix of short news stories chosen at that moment based on your interests, location, user history and preferences, as well as the top news stories out there," said product manager Liz Gannes in a blog post.

The assistant will offer stories from partners including CBS, Politico, Fox News and CNN based on user preferences and other factors.

It can offer news, for example, about the user's favourite sports teams or specific local or business events.

"In between stories, the Google Assistant serves as your smart news host that introduces which publishers and updates are next," Gannes said.

The feature is available in English in the United States and will expand internationally next year, for people with compatible <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/focus-made-in-china-samsung-farms-out-more-phones-to-fend-off-rivals-262812">smartphones</a> and connected speakers.

It is activated by saying, "Hey Google, play me the news."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/amazon-offers-employees-10000-to-quit-launch-delivery-business-218463">Amazon </a>offers a similar "flash briefing" feature for its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/amazon-brings-samuel-l-jacksons-voice-to-alexa-and-announces-voice-controlled-glasses-252112">Alexa</a>-powered devices.

Google said Tuesday its digital assistant will serve as a "news host" on its connected devices to deliver stories from a variety of its media partners. The feature called Your News Update will be activated by asking the Google Assistant to read the news.

Google said Tuesday its digital assistant will serve as a "news host" on its connected devices to deliver stories from a variety of its media partners. The feature called Your News Update will be activated by asking the Google Assistant to read the news. The artificial intelligence program will deliver "a mix of short news stories chosen at that moment based on your interests, location, user history and preferences, as well as the top news stories out there," said product manager Liz Gannes in a blog post. The assistant will offer stories from partners including CBS, Politico, Fox News and CNN based on user preferences and other factors. It can offer news, for example, about the user's favourite sports teams or specific local or business events. "In between stories, the Google Assistant serves as your smart news host that introduces which publishers and updates are next," Gannes said. The feature is available in English in the United States and will expand internationally next year, for people with compatible smartphones and connected speakers. It is activated by saying, "Hey Google, play me the news." Amazon offers a similar "flash briefing" feature for its Alexa-powered devices.

Google Assistant to soon work as news host for devices

Last month after Donald Trump watched Fox News lob what he called "softball questions" at a Democratic lawmaker, the US president delivered a crisp smackdown of his favourite network: "Fox sure ain't what it used to be.

Last month after Donald Trump watched Fox News lob what he called "softball questions" at a Democratic lawmaker, the US president delivered a crisp smackdown of his favourite network: "Fox sure ain't what it used to be." After years of often fawning coverage by Fox, particularly from its pro-Trump anchors like Sean Hannity, the commander in chief appears to be tilting his media gaze toward a younger, more right-wing rival, cable outfit One America News Network (OANN). The small upstart broadcaster was launched only recently, in 2013, by technology millionaire Robert Herring, who sought a more conservative alternative to mainstream media behemoths like CNN. Today it seeks to outfox Fox by drawing extra attention from Trump, who has been voicing his displeasure with the rating leader over everything from presidential polling to its hosting of Democratic candidate town halls. Last week in a tweet to his 63 million followers, the president managed to disparage Fox and his mainstream news foil CNN, while heaping praise on the new object of his media affection. Embracing a newcomer "Watching Fake News CNN is better than watching Shepard Smith, the lowest-rated show on @FoxNews. Actually, whenever possible, I turn to @OANN!" Trump posted. Since March he has tweeted links to OANN stories or shared his appreciation of the network 13 times. The relationship has been years in the making. In 2015 Trump was interviewed by Sarah Palin, the Republican vice presidential nominee in 2008, when she guest-hosted OANN's show "On Point." At his first press conference as president-elect, in January 2017, Trump took a question from an OANN reporter. OANN was then called on dozens of times at the daily briefings in Trump's first 100 days in office. During his June 2018 press conference in Singapore, following the summit with North Korea's Kim Jong Un, Trump took a question from OANN White House correspondent Emerald Robinson, but not before gushing about her network. 'It's really beautiful' "Thank you for the nice way you treat us. We appreciate it," he said. "Really, it's very good. It's really beautiful what you do." The San Diego-based operation describes itself as "straight news, no opinion." But the pro-Trump agenda is crystal clear, more than a dozen current and former employees told The Washington Post in 2017. Herring himself, in his pinned tweet, describes OANN as "the president's favourite news outlet." When Fox cut away from broadcasting a Trump rally in New Hampshire on Thursday, Herring tweeted, "We will never cut away!" 'Wasting airtime' OANN has faced accusations of promoting conspiracy theories and peddling Kremlin propaganda. "Yeah, we like Russia here," a staffer assigned to brief new OANN producer Ernest Champell told him, according to The Daily Beast. Champell left, disillusioned, four months later. "The network has a history of race-baiting and presenting anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant and anti-abortion reporting," according to Media Matters, a progressive nonprofit group that says its mission is "analyzing and correcting conservative misinformation." While OANN's influence in the White House may far outweigh its position in the news media landscape, Trump clearly retains an affinity for several people in the Fox organization. The show "Fox & Friends" remains his go-to morning program; Trump has phoned in on numerous occasions as president. Perhaps that is why Democratic longshot contender Julian Castro purchased ad time during "Fox & Friends" this week, airing a spot in which he directly addresses Trump and blames him for inspiring the El Paso shooter who massacred 22 people early this month. Polls 'have been terrible' Sean Hannity, the network's popular anchor, campaigned for Trump in 2016. But friction emerged this week when Hannity expressed support for CNN anchor Chris Cuomo after a video of Cuomo in a heated argument at a New York bar went viral. It was a sharp contrast to Trump, who tweeted that Cuomo the brother of New York's Democratic governor Andrew Cuomo was "nuts" and showed a "total loss of control" in the incident. The president expressed frustration when Fox aired multiple town halls in recent months featuring Democrats who are trying to unseat him in 2020, including South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg, currently fifth in major polling. "Hard to believe that @FoxNews is wasting airtime on Mayor Pete," Trump tweeted in May. "Fox is moving more and more to the losing (wrong) side in covering the Dems." Fox News presidential polling is also a concern for Trump, whose job approval rating in the network's mid-August poll dipped substantially, to 43 per cent, while his disapproval rating spiked to 56 per cent, its highest since October 2017. In head-to-head matchups, the poll shows Trump losing to major Democratic candidates, including to frontrunner Joe Biden by 12 percentage points and to liberal Bernie Sanders by nine.

Is Trump's love affair with Fox News fading?

Anchors From US And China Argued Over The Trade War On Twitter. They Decided To Take Their Debate To A Live TV Show. Here Is What Happened.

Gravitas: Fox News Vs CGTN: News Anchors Go Head To Head

President Donald Trump on Sunday championed a Fox News personality who made anti-Muslim remarks as his White House rejected any attempt to link the U.S. leader to a shooter who killed 50 people in two New Zealand mosques.

The violence against Muslims in New Zealand on Friday put a spotlight on Trump's rhetoric about Islam and revived criticism of his handling of white supremacist violence.

"Bring back @JudgeJeanine Pirro," Trump wrote in Twitter posts in which he blamed Democrats for trying to "silence a majority of our Country" and advocated supporters to "stop working soooo hard on being politically correct."

At the same time, acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney appeared on Sunday television news shows to tamp down criticism that Trump has not been strong enough in condemning hate speech and has fomented anti-Muslim sentiment.

"The president is not a white supremacist. I'm not sure how many times we have to say that," Mulvaney said on "Fox News Sunday".

On Friday, Trump condemned the "horrible massacre" at the mosques and the White House called the shooting a "vicious act of hate." Asked by a reporter if he saw white nationalism as a rising threat around the world, Trump said: "I don’t really. I think it’s a small group of people."

The accused gunman praised Trump in a manifesto as "a symbol of renewed white identity and common purpose."

Mulvaney said the mosque massacres were the work of a disturbed individual and it would not be fair to align the shooter with Trump or any other politician. "I disagree that there's a causal link between Donald Trump being president and something like this happening in New Zealand," he told CBS' "Face the Nation."

Trump drew strong criticism in the days after a deadly white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017 when he equated white supremacists with counter-protesters and said "both sides" were to blame.

Pirro, a supporter of the president, was rebuked by Fox News last Sunday over comments she made questioning whether a Muslim congresswoman, Ilhan Omar, was more loyal to Islamic sharia law than the U.S. Constitution.

Pirro's show, "Justice with Judge Jeanine," was removed from its usual time slot on Saturday night. Fox News has not confirmed Pirro was suspended and said it would not comment further on the matter on Sunday.

"Nice message for the president to send three days after a deadly terrorist attack on Muslims - standing up for a host who was suspended for anti-Muslim bigotry," Matthew Miller, a Justice Department spokesman under Democratic President Barack Obama, said on Twitter.

Democratic lawmakers on Sunday called on Trump to defend Muslims publicly after the massacres and recognize the threat posed by white supremacists.

"His rhetoric doesn't help," Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Democratic presidential candidate, said on CNN's "State of the Union" program. "At the very least, he is dividing people. They are using him as an excuse."

On the campaign trail in 2016, Trump followed such statements as "I think Islam hates us," with an effort a week into his presidency to ban citizens of several Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States. After court challenges, the administration revised the policy.

U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib, a Muslim, noted that government data shows a spike in hate crimes in the last decade, citing mass shootings at a synagogue and a black church.

"He cannot just say it's a small group of people," she said on CNN. "We need to be speaking up against this and it has to start with him. He needs to do better by us and the country. He needs to speak up and condemn this very loud and very clearly."

Hate crimes in the United States jumped 17 percent in 2017, according to FBI data.

President Donald Trump on Sunday championed a Fox News personality who made anti-Muslim remarks as his White House rejected any attempt to link the U.S. leader to a shooter who killed 50 people in two New Zealand mosques.

President Donald Trump on Sunday championed a Fox News personality who made anti-Muslim remarks as his White House rejected any attempt to link the U.S. leader to a shooter who killed 50 people in two New Zealand mosques. The violence against Muslims in New Zealand on Friday put a spotlight on Trump's rhetoric about Islam and revived criticism of his handling of white supremacist violence. "Bring back @JudgeJeanine Pirro," Trump wrote in Twitter posts in which he blamed Democrats for trying to "silence a majority of our Country" and advocated supporters to "stop working soooo hard on being politically correct." At the same time, acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney appeared on Sunday television news shows to tamp down criticism that Trump has not been strong enough in condemning hate speech and has fomented anti-Muslim sentiment. "The president is not a white supremacist. I'm not sure how many times we have to say that," Mulvaney said on "Fox News Sunday". On Friday, Trump condemned the "horrible massacre" at the mosques and the White House called the shooting a "vicious act of hate." Asked by a reporter if he saw white nationalism as a rising threat around the world, Trump said: "I don’t really. I think it’s a small group of people." The accused gunman praised Trump in a manifesto as "a symbol of renewed white identity and common purpose." Mulvaney said the mosque massacres were the work of a disturbed individual and it would not be fair to align the shooter with Trump or any other politician. "I disagree that there's a causal link between Donald Trump being president and something like this happening in New Zealand," he told CBS' "Face the Nation." Trump drew strong criticism in the days after a deadly white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017 when he equated white supremacists with counter-protesters and said "both sides" were to blame. Pirro, a supporter of the president, was rebuked by Fox News last Sunday over comments she made questioning whether a Muslim congresswoman, Ilhan Omar, was more loyal to Islamic sharia law than the U.S. Constitution. Pirro's show, "Justice with Judge Jeanine," was removed from its usual time slot on Saturday night. Fox News has not confirmed Pirro was suspended and said it would not comment further on the matter on Sunday. "Nice message for the president to send three days after a deadly terrorist attack on Muslims - standing up for a host who was suspended for anti-Muslim bigotry," Matthew Miller, a Justice Department spokesman under Democratic President Barack Obama, said on Twitter. Democratic lawmakers on Sunday called on Trump to defend Muslims publicly after the massacres and recognize the threat posed by white supremacists. "His rhetoric doesn't help," Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Democratic presidential candidate, said on CNN's "State of the Union" program. "At the very least, he is dividing people. They are using him as an excuse." On the campaign trail in 2016, Trump followed such statements as "I think Islam hates us," with an effort a week into his presidency to ban citizens of several Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States. After court challenges, the administration revised the policy. U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib, a Muslim, noted that government data shows a spike in hate crimes in the last decade, citing mass shootings at a synagogue and a black church. "He cannot just say it's a small group of people," she said on CNN. "We need to be speaking up against this and it has to start with him. He needs to do better by us and the country. He needs to speak up and condemn this very loud and very clearly." Hate crimes in the United States jumped 17 percent in 2017, according to FBI data.

Trump stance on Muslims, Fox host in spotlight after mosque shootings

A Turkish prosecutor on Friday launched an investigation into a prominent Fox News Turkey presenter less than two weeks after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lambasted the journalist, local media reported.

The prosecutor's office said it was investigating Fatih Portakal for "openly inciting others to commit a crime" after the journalist speculated whether Turks could protest like the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/yellow-vest-protesters-target-macrons-vacation-hideaway-187024">"Yellow Vest" movement in France</a>, Hurriyet and Milliyet dailies said.

"Come on, let's have a peaceful protest, a protest against ... rising natural gas fees. Come on, let's do it. Would we be able to do it?" the journalist who has over six million followers on Twitter asked.

"For the love of God, tell me how many people would come out?" Portakal demanded as he speculated over the impact of Turks' fears of protesting in a news programme on December 10.

During anti-government protests in 2013, Erdogan was criticised for the police's heavy-handed crackdown against demonstrators.

Portakal's comments were interpreted by Turkish officials as a call for protests as the country is suffering high inflation. Consumer prices reached over 25 per cent in October before falling to 21.62 per cent in November.&nbsp;

Portakal had made the comments during a news segment about France's "yellow vest" movement, which started as a demonstration against fuel price hikes in November but has since snowballed into broader anti-government opposition.

Erdogan has repeatedly criticised the journalist for his comments, saying in mid-December: "He is calling people to get out on the street. Know your place! If you don't know your place, the people will teach you a lesson."

Earlier this week, Turkey's audiovisual authority RTUK fined Fox News Turkey for an undisclosed amount and said the channel had to suspend three future broadcasts of the primetime news show.

Fox News Turkey gives greater coverage to the opposition parties than other mainstream channels in an increasingly constricted media landscape in Turkey under the rule of Erdogan.

The investigation comes after two famous Turkish actors were accused of insulting Erdogan during a television programme on Halk TV last week.

An Istanbul court on Monday released the two men on conditional bail after they were summoned to give statements to prosecutors.

Turkey's allies and human rights defenders have raised concerns of a clampdown on freedom of expression under Erdogan, with dozens of journalists and civil society activists imprisoned.

A Turkish prosecutor on Friday launched an investigation into a prominent Fox News Turkey presenter less than two weeks after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lambasted the journalist, local media reported.

A Turkish prosecutor on Friday launched an investigation into a prominent Fox News Turkey presenter less than two weeks after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lambasted the journalist, local media reported. The prosecutor's office said it was investigating Fatih Portakal for "openly inciting others to commit a crime" after the journalist speculated whether Turks could protest like the "Yellow Vest" movement in France, Hurriyet and Milliyet dailies said. "Come on, let's have a peaceful protest, a protest against ... rising natural gas fees. Come on, let's do it. Would we be able to do it?" the journalist who has over six million followers on Twitter asked. "For the love of God, tell me how many people would come out?" Portakal demanded as he speculated over the impact of Turks' fears of protesting in a news programme on December 10. During anti-government protests in 2013, Erdogan was criticised for the police's heavy-handed crackdown against demonstrators. Portakal's comments were interpreted by Turkish officials as a call for protests as the country is suffering high inflation. Consumer prices reached over 25 per cent in October before falling to 21.62 per cent in November. Portakal had made the comments during a news segment about France's "yellow vest" movement, which started as a demonstration against fuel price hikes in November but has since snowballed into broader anti-government opposition. Erdogan has repeatedly criticised the journalist for his comments, saying in mid-December: "He is calling people to get out on the street. Know your place! If you don't know your place, the people will teach you a lesson." Earlier this week, Turkey's audiovisual authority RTUK fined Fox News Turkey for an undisclosed amount and said the channel had to suspend three future broadcasts of the primetime news show. Fox News Turkey gives greater coverage to the opposition parties than other mainstream channels in an increasingly constricted media landscape in Turkey under the rule of Erdogan. The investigation comes after two famous Turkish actors were accused of insulting Erdogan during a television programme on Halk TV last week. An Istanbul court on Monday released the two men on conditional bail after they were summoned to give statements to prosecutors. Turkey's allies and human rights defenders have raised concerns of a clampdown on freedom of expression under Erdogan, with dozens of journalists and civil society activists imprisoned.

Turkey investigates Fox News journalist

A day after American news channel <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/cnn-sues-us-president-donald-trump-top-white-house-aides-177129">CNN sued US President Donald Trump</a> and top White House aides, rival media network Fox News said it would back CNN in court, news agency AFP reported.&nbsp;

On Monday, CNN announced taking legal action against Trump over the revocation of its reporter Jim Acosta's White House press pass.&nbsp;

Both CNN and Acosta are plaintiffs in the lawsuit, CNN stated on its website.

According to a Reuters report, in its lawsuit filed on Tuesday in US District Court in Washington, the cable news network said the White House violated the First Amendment right to free speech as well as the due process clause of the Constitution providing fair treatment through judicial process. The network asked for a temporary restraining order.

Acosta's credentials were revoked last week in an escalation of the Republican president's attacks on the news media, which he has dubbed the "enemy of the people."

Trump has intensified his criticism of the reporters who cover him, making personal jabs in response to questions he does not like, including those about Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe of whether his campaign worked with Russia to sway the 2016 presidential election. Trump denies any collusion took place.

CNN, and Acosta in particular, have been regular targets of the president, Reuters reported.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A day after American news channel CNN sued US President Donald Trump and top White House aides, rival media network Fox News said it would back CNN in court, news agency AFP reported.

A day after American news channel CNN sued US President Donald Trump and top White House aides, rival media network Fox News said it would back CNN in court, news agency AFP reported. On Monday, CNN announced taking legal action against Trump over the revocation of its reporter Jim Acosta's White House press pass. Both CNN and Acosta are plaintiffs in the lawsuit, CNN stated on its website. According to a Reuters report, in its lawsuit filed on Tuesday in US District Court in Washington, the cable news network said the White House violated the First Amendment right to free speech as well as the due process clause of the Constitution providing fair treatment through judicial process. The network asked for a temporary restraining order. Acosta's credentials were revoked last week in an escalation of the Republican president's attacks on the news media, which he has dubbed the "enemy of the people." Trump has intensified his criticism of the reporters who cover him, making personal jabs in response to questions he does not like, including those about Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe of whether his campaign worked with Russia to sway the 2016 presidential election. Trump denies any collusion took place. CNN, and Acosta in particular, have been regular targets of the president, Reuters reported. (With inputs from agencies)

Fox News says it will back CNN in legal fight against Trump

The United States is preparing a “series of actions” in the coming days to increase pressure on the Venezuelan government, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Fox News on Friday.

“You’ll see in the coming days a series of actions that continue to increase the pressure level against the Venezuelan leadership folks, who are working directly against the best interest of the Venezuelan people,” Pompeo said. “We’re determined to ensure that the Venezuelan people get their say.”

He did not give further details on the nature of the planned actions.

Venezuela’s information ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Trump administration has steadily increased sanctions against officials in the leftist government of President Nicolas Maduro, accusing it of stifling democracy by jailing opposition leaders.

Last year, Washington imposed sanctions prohibiting trading new debt and equity issued by the Venezuelan government and its state oil company PDVSA. It has imposed several rounds of sanctions on government officials, including on Maduro.

Venezuela’s economy has collapsed under Maduro, with annual inflation running at 200,000 per cent, and staple foods and basic medicine increasingly difficult to obtain, which has led to mass emigration.

Pompeo’s warning comes ahead of the annual United Nations General Assembly in New York next week attended by heads of state from around the world. Maduro has not attended the meetings since 2015 and this week said he may not attend the gathering because of concerns about his safety.

In August, two drones exploded over an outdoor rally in Caracas where Maduro was giving a speech, injuring seven soldiers and leading to the arrest of over a dozen suspects, including several military officials. Maduro described it as an assassination attempt.

The United States is preparing a “series of actions” in the coming days to increase pressure on the Venezuelan government, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Fox News on Friday.

The United States is preparing a “series of actions” in the coming days to increase pressure on the Venezuelan government, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Fox News on Friday. “You’ll see in the coming days a series of actions that continue to increase the pressure level against the Venezuelan leadership folks, who are working directly against the best interest of the Venezuelan people,” Pompeo said. “We’re determined to ensure that the Venezuelan people get their say.” He did not give further details on the nature of the planned actions. Venezuela’s information ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Trump administration has steadily increased sanctions against officials in the leftist government of President Nicolas Maduro, accusing it of stifling democracy by jailing opposition leaders. Last year, Washington imposed sanctions prohibiting trading new debt and equity issued by the Venezuelan government and its state oil company PDVSA. It has imposed several rounds of sanctions on government officials, including on Maduro. Venezuela’s economy has collapsed under Maduro, with annual inflation running at 200,000 per cent, and staple foods and basic medicine increasingly difficult to obtain, which has led to mass emigration. Pompeo’s warning comes ahead of the annual United Nations General Assembly in New York next week attended by heads of state from around the world. Maduro has not attended the meetings since 2015 and this week said he may not attend the gathering because of concerns about his safety. In August, two drones exploded over an outdoor rally in Caracas where Maduro was giving a speech, injuring seven soldiers and leading to the arrest of over a dozen suspects, including several military officials. Maduro described it as an assassination attempt.

US preparing 'actions' in coming days against Venezuela: Pompeo to Fox News

President Donald Trump on Monday denied a New York Times story on his daily White House life that says he watches up to eight hours of cable TV news a day.

&quot;Another false story, this time in the Failing @nytimes, that I watch 4-8 hours of television a day - Wrong!&quot; the US president wrote on Twitter.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Another false story, this time in the Failing <a href="https://twitter.com/nytimes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nytimes</a>, that I watch 4-8 hours of television a day - Wrong! Also, I seldom, if ever, watch CNN or MSNBC, both of which I consider Fake News. I never watch Don Lemon, who I once called the &ldquo;dumbest man on television!&rdquo; Bad Reporting.
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/940223974985871360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&quot;Also, I seldom, if ever, watch CNN or MSNBC, both of which I consider Fake News,&quot; he added.

Trump then described CNN news anchor Don Lemon as a person &quot;I once called the &#39;dumbest man on television!&#39;&quot;

A lengthy New York Times story over the weekend, citing sources close to the president, says that Trump gets up early in the morning and immediately tunes into the cable TV news and commentary shows.

The former New York real estate magnate often fires off early morning tweets that react to cable TV news stories, often those on Fox News.

Trump, 71, is sensitive to criticism on the subject.

&quot;I do not watch much television,&quot; Trump told reporters on his recent trip to Vietnam.

&quot;I know they like to say -- people that don&#39;t know me -- they like to say I watch television. People with fake sources -- you know, fake reporters, fake sources. But I don&#39;t get to watch much television, primarily because of documents. I&#39;m reading documents a lot.&quot;

Later in the trip he complained that the only US cable TV news available to watch in the Philippines was CNN.

The allegation had been made by the New York Times

President Donald Trump on Monday denied a New York Times story on his daily White House life that says he watches up to eight hours of cable TV news a day. "Another false story, this time in the Failing @nytimes, that I watch 4-8 hours of television a day - Wrong!" the US president wrote on Twitter. Another false story, this time in the Failing @nytimes, that I watch 4-8 hours of television a day - Wrong! Also, I seldom, if ever, watch CNN or MSNBC, both of which I consider Fake News. I never watch Don Lemon, who I once called the “dumbest man on television!” Bad Reporting. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 11, 2017 × "Also, I seldom, if ever, watch CNN or MSNBC, both of which I consider Fake News," he added. Trump then described CNN news anchor Don Lemon as a person "I once called the 'dumbest man on television!'" A lengthy New York Times story over the weekend, citing sources close to the president, says that Trump gets up early in the morning and immediately tunes into the cable TV news and commentary shows. The former New York real estate magnate often fires off early morning tweets that react to cable TV news stories, often those on Fox News. Trump, 71, is sensitive to criticism on the subject. "I do not watch much television," Trump told reporters on his recent trip to Vietnam. "I know they like to say -- people that don't know me -- they like to say I watch television. People with fake sources -- you know, fake reporters, fake sources. But I don't get to watch much television, primarily because of documents. I'm reading documents a lot." Later in the trip he complained that the only US cable TV news available to watch in the Philippines was CNN.

Trump says he does not watch 4-8 hours of TV every day

The Twitter audience&nbsp;is going<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-senate-republicans-ask-moore-to-withdraw-as-new-accuser-steps-forward-24135"> berserk and destroying&nbsp;Keurig coffee machines in protest</a>&nbsp;after the company pulled advertising from Fox News host Sean Hannity&#39;s show in&nbsp;response to statements made by&nbsp;Hannity about Alabama&#39;s US&nbsp;Senate candidate Roy Moore, who has been accused of sexual misconduct.

Keurig, 23,&nbsp;Me, Eloquii and Nature&#39;s Bounty all pulled their ads from the television show, in response to Fox host suggesting viewers to not jump to conclusions against Moore, according to reports.

Social media users have used the hashtag #BoycottKeurig&nbsp;and posted videos of them destroying the coffee machine.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Join me &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/AngeloJohnGage?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AngeloJohnGage</a> in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KeurigSmashChallenge?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KeurigSmashChallenge</a> &amp; learn how to crush your drives as a bonus.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BoycottKeurig?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BoycottKeurig</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IStandWithHannity?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IStandWithHannity</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BuyBlackRifleCoffee?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BuyBlackRifleCoffee</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAGA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MAGA</a> <a href="https://t.co/WH3unkpADI">pic.twitter.com/WH3unkpADI</a>
&mdash; Snoop Bailey (@vol80) <a href="https://twitter.com/vol80/status/929819425469030400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
I pulled an &quot;Office Space&quot; with my Keurig... Would be a shame if everyone else joined me in the Keurig Smash Challenge <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BoycottKeurig?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BoycottKeurig</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IStandWithHannity?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IStandWithHannity</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SundayMorning?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SundayMorning</a> <a href="https://t.co/yEADeRC006">pic.twitter.com/yEADeRC006</a>
&mdash; Angelo John Gage (@AngeloJohnGage) <a href="https://twitter.com/AngeloJohnGage/status/929751887926251526?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Liberals are offended by this video of a Keurig being thrown off of a building. 
 
Please retweet to offend a Liberal.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BoycottKeurig?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BoycottKeurig</a><a href="https://t.co/0qbHlmyqcA">pic.twitter.com/0qbHlmyqcA</a>
&mdash; Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) <a href="https://twitter.com/CollinRugg/status/929777702537543681?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Hannity tweeted on Monday that he was &quot;humbled and speechless&quot; and said that he will do a &quot;give away of 500 coffee makers on his radio show&quot;.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
I am humbled and speechless and frankly laughing my ass off. I love all my deplorable friends. Thank you and Game on!!
&mdash; Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) <a href="https://twitter.com/seanhannity/status/929877694526906369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Deplorable friends, I am buying 500 coffee makers tomorrow to give away!! Details on radio and TV. Hint; best videos!!
&mdash; Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) <a href="https://twitter.com/seanhannity/status/929890847956652033?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Senate Republicans on Monday adviced Moore to quit from the Senate race as a fifth woman came forward with allegations Moore had sexual contact with teenage girls decades ago.

Moore has denied the allegations. Keurig has not made any comments yet.&nbsp;

Social media users have used the hashtag '#BoycottKeurig' and posted videos of them destroying the coffee machine.?

The Twitter audience is going berserk and destroying Keurig coffee machines in protest after the company pulled advertising from Fox News host Sean Hannity's show in response to statements made by Hannity about Alabama's US Senate candidate Roy Moore, who has been accused of sexual misconduct. Keurig, 23, Me, Eloquii and Nature's Bounty all pulled their ads from the television show, in response to Fox host suggesting viewers to not jump to conclusions against Moore, according to reports. Social media users have used the hashtag #BoycottKeurig and posted videos of them destroying the coffee machine. Join me & @AngeloJohnGage in the #KeurigSmashChallenge & learn how to crush your drives as a bonus.#BoycottKeurig#IStandWithHannity#BuyBlackRifleCoffee#MAGA pic.twitter.com/WH3unkpADI — Snoop Bailey (@vol80) November 12, 2017 × I pulled an "Office Space" with my Keurig... Would be a shame if everyone else joined me in the Keurig Smash Challenge #BoycottKeurig #IStandWithHannity #SundayMorning pic.twitter.com/yEADeRC006 — Angelo John Gage (@AngeloJohnGage) November 12, 2017 × Liberals are offended by this video of a Keurig being thrown off of a building. Please retweet to offend a Liberal.#BoycottKeurigpic.twitter.com/0qbHlmyqcA — Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 12, 2017 × Hannity tweeted on Monday that he was "humbled and speechless" and said that he will do a "give away of 500 coffee makers on his radio show". I am humbled and speechless and frankly laughing my ass off. I love all my deplorable friends. Thank you and Game on!! — Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) November 13, 2017 × Deplorable friends, I am buying 500 coffee makers tomorrow to give away!! Details on radio and TV. Hint; best videos!! — Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) November 13, 2017 × Senate Republicans on Monday adviced Moore to quit from the Senate race as a fifth woman came forward with allegations Moore had sexual contact with teenage girls decades ago. Moore has denied the allegations. Keurig has not made any comments yet.

#BoycottKeurig trends over Roy Moore's scandal

Roger Ailes, who became one of the most powerful figures in both US&nbsp;politics and media by turning the Fox News network into a booming voice for conservatives before he was brought down by sexual harassment charges, has died at the age of 77.

Ailes worked as a media strategist for Republican Presidents Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush before launching Fox News in 1996.

His wife Elizabeth said in a statement on Thursday he was a patriot who was profoundly grateful for the opportunities his country gave him.

As founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Fox News, Ailes became one of the most influential figures in the Republican Party, and the network was integral to US President Donald Trump&#39;s successful run for the White House in 2016.

From the start, Ailes had a clear conservative vision of what he wanted Fox to be as he took the network to the top of the cable news ratings and made it a major profit center for Rupert Murdoch&#39;s Twenty-First Century Fox Inc media empire.

But accusations of Ailes&#39; treatment of women would be his downfall.

In July 2016, Gretchen Carlson, a former Miss America who appeared on the popular &quot;Fox and Friends&quot; morning program before being given her own show, sued him. She said he had made sexual advances toward her and then hurt her career in retaliation after she rejected him.

Two weeks later, Ailes was ousted from the network with a $40 million severance package. His departure came during the Republican National Convention and at a time when the network was scoring record ratings. Shortly afterward, he began advising the Trump campaign.

Star cable host Bill O&#39;Reilly himself left the network after he was accused of sexual harassment.

Ailes had run Fox News under the slogan &quot;fair and balanced&quot; and conservatives found it a much-needed antidote to the perceived liberal slant of traditional media. Critics denounced it as a cynical and polarizing right-wing propaganda machine.

&quot;He helped market a brand of pseudo-journalism that revolves basically around hate, rhetoric, divisiveness, pitting people against each other,&quot; Eric Boehlert, senior fellow at liberal media watchdog Media Matters for America, told Reuters. &quot;That seeps into the culture and into politics.&quot;

The story of Fox News was the story of Ailes. His conservative red-white-and-blue beliefs set the narrative for the network&#39;s stories, and critics said it was difficult to determine where Ailes&#39; agenda ended and Republican Party talking points began. No potential Republican presidential candidate stood much of a chance without Ailes&#39; blessing.

&quot;I want to elect the next president,&quot; he told Fox executives at a 2010 meeting, according to the 2014 biography &quot;The Loudest Voice in the Room&quot; by Gabriel Sherman, a writer for New York magazine.

&quot;Ailes&#39; power and ruthlessness ... allowed him to take over the Republican Party and mold it to fit his paranoid world view,&quot; Sherman told the Washington Post in 2016.

&#39;I want to see her legs&#39;

In addition to its king-making power, Ailes wanted the Fox News network to be entertaining and have sex appeal.

&quot;From the very beginning, Roger wanted attractive women, translucent desks,&quot; a former staffer told the Los Angeles Times.

&quot;&#39;I want to see her legs,&#39;&quot; the source quoted Ailes as saying of an anchorwoman. &quot;&#39;I want the viewers to see their legs. I want people to watch Fox News even if the sound is turned down.&#39;&quot;

Ailes built a reputation as intimidating, profane, egotistical, according to reports, and was so paranoid that Rolling Stone said he was convinced al Qaeda wanted to kill him. Sherman reported that Ailes spent millions of the network&#39;s dollars to hire private investigators to follow unfriendly journalists, including him.

After Carlson&#39;s lawsuit, other female employees, including Fox star Megyn Kelly, came forward to accuse Ailes of making inappropriate jokes, ogling them, commenting on their bodies, groping, kissing and propositioning them for sex in return for career advancement.

&quot;It became common knowledge that women did not want to be alone with him,&quot; the former Fox staffer told the L.A. Times. &quot;They would bring other men with them when they had to meet him. It became a locker room, towel-snapping environment.&quot;

&#39;Intimidation, indecency and misogyny&#39;

A second suit was filed in August 2016 by Andrea Tantaros, another former Fox anchor who claimed that Ailes, who was married to former television executive Elizabeth Tilson, had also harassed her.

Behind the scenes, according to the lawsuit, Fox News was &quot;a sex-fueled, Playboy Mansion-like cult, steeped in intimidation, indecency and misogyny.&quot;

Ailes teamed up with Murdoch to put Fox News on the air on Oct. 7, 1996, and it gained traction with coverage of President Bill Clinton&#39;s sex scandal involving White House intern Monica Lewinsky in 1998. By 2002 Fox had overtaken long-established CNN in the ratings.

As the network lashed Clinton and later Democratic President Barack Obama, flame-throwing commentators such as O&#39;Reilly, Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity became household names. And when Republican politicians such as Newt Gingrich, John Kasich, Mike Huckabee and Sarah Palin were not in office, Ailes put them on the air as pundits.

O&#39;Reilly left Fox News in April following his own sexual harassment scandal that had led to more than 50 advertisers pulling commercials from his program, &quot;The O&#39;Reilly Factor.&quot;

Ailes was born in Warren, Ohio, on May 15, 1940. One of his first jobs after leaving Ohio University was a low-level position on &quot;The Mike Douglas Show,&quot; a daytime variety and talk show that initially aired in Cleveland.

He quickly worked his way up to executive producer and in 1967 had a life-changing conversation with Nixon, one of the show&#39;s guests, and convinced the future president of the importance of television.

Nixon hired the 28-year-old Ailes to serve as executive producer for television on his successful presidential campaign a year later. Ailes was credited with crafting television events that let the candidate take his message directly to the public, rather than go through other media.

Ailes&#39; role was chronicled in the best-selling book &quot;The Selling of the President 1968,&quot; but after he described Nixon as &quot;a funny-looking&quot; guy who was seen as &quot;a bore, a pain in the ass&quot; he lost his White House job.

Ailes then worked in New York as consultant in both entertainment and politics, playing a role in successful campaigns by Reagan and Bush in the 1980s. He showed a special flair for attack ads.

Ailes married Tilson in 1998, and she became publisher of the Putnam County News &amp; Recorder near their home outside New York City after he purchased the newspaper in 2008. They had one son.

(Reuters)

The cause of his death was not immediately known

Roger Ailes, who became one of the most powerful figures in both US politics and media by turning the Fox News network into a booming voice for conservatives before he was brought down by sexual harassment charges, has died at the age of 77. Ailes worked as a media strategist for Republican Presidents Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush before launching Fox News in 1996. His wife Elizabeth said in a statement on Thursday he was a patriot who was profoundly grateful for the opportunities his country gave him. As founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Fox News, Ailes became one of the most influential figures in the Republican Party, and the network was integral to US President Donald Trump's successful run for the White House in 2016. From the start, Ailes had a clear conservative vision of what he wanted Fox to be as he took the network to the top of the cable news ratings and made it a major profit center for Rupert Murdoch's Twenty-First Century Fox Inc media empire. But accusations of Ailes' treatment of women would be his downfall. In July 2016, Gretchen Carlson, a former Miss America who appeared on the popular "Fox and Friends" morning program before being given her own show, sued him. She said he had made sexual advances toward her and then hurt her career in retaliation after she rejected him. Two weeks later, Ailes was ousted from the network with a $40 million severance package. His departure came during the Republican National Convention and at a time when the network was scoring record ratings. Shortly afterward, he began advising the Trump campaign. Star cable host Bill O'Reilly himself left the network after he was accused of sexual harassment. Ailes had run Fox News under the slogan "fair and balanced" and conservatives found it a much-needed antidote to the perceived liberal slant of traditional media. Critics denounced it as a cynical and polarizing right-wing propaganda machine. "He helped market a brand of pseudo-journalism that revolves basically around hate, rhetoric, divisiveness, pitting people against each other," Eric Boehlert, senior fellow at liberal media watchdog Media Matters for America, told Reuters. "That seeps into the culture and into politics." The story of Fox News was the story of Ailes. His conservative red-white-and-blue beliefs set the narrative for the network's stories, and critics said it was difficult to determine where Ailes' agenda ended and Republican Party talking points began. No potential Republican presidential candidate stood much of a chance without Ailes' blessing. "I want to elect the next president," he told Fox executives at a 2010 meeting, according to the 2014 biography "The Loudest Voice in the Room" by Gabriel Sherman, a writer for New York magazine. "Ailes' power and ruthlessness ... allowed him to take over the Republican Party and mold it to fit his paranoid world view," Sherman told the Washington Post in 2016. 'I want to see her legs' In addition to its king-making power, Ailes wanted the Fox News network to be entertaining and have sex appeal. "From the very beginning, Roger wanted attractive women, translucent desks," a former staffer told the Los Angeles Times. "'I want to see her legs,'" the source quoted Ailes as saying of an anchorwoman. "'I want the viewers to see their legs. I want people to watch Fox News even if the sound is turned down.'" Ailes built a reputation as intimidating, profane, egotistical, according to reports, and was so paranoid that Rolling Stone said he was convinced al Qaeda wanted to kill him. Sherman reported that Ailes spent millions of the network's dollars to hire private investigators to follow unfriendly journalists, including him. After Carlson's lawsuit, other female employees, including Fox star Megyn Kelly, came forward to accuse Ailes of making inappropriate jokes, ogling them, commenting on their bodies, groping, kissing and propositioning them for sex in return for career advancement. "It became common knowledge that women did not want to be alone with him," the former Fox staffer told the L.A. Times. "They would bring other men with them when they had to meet him. It became a locker room, towel-snapping environment." 'Intimidation, indecency and misogyny' A second suit was filed in August 2016 by Andrea Tantaros, another former Fox anchor who claimed that Ailes, who was married to former television executive Elizabeth Tilson, had also harassed her. Behind the scenes, according to the lawsuit, Fox News was "a sex-fueled, Playboy Mansion-like cult, steeped in intimidation, indecency and misogyny." Ailes teamed up with Murdoch to put Fox News on the air on Oct. 7, 1996, and it gained traction with coverage of President Bill Clinton's sex scandal involving White House intern Monica Lewinsky in 1998. By 2002 Fox had overtaken long-established CNN in the ratings. As the network lashed Clinton and later Democratic President Barack Obama, flame-throwing commentators such as O'Reilly, Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity became household names. And when Republican politicians such as Newt Gingrich, John Kasich, Mike Huckabee and Sarah Palin were not in office, Ailes put them on the air as pundits. O'Reilly left Fox News in April following his own sexual harassment scandal that had led to more than 50 advertisers pulling commercials from his program, "The O'Reilly Factor." Ailes was born in Warren, Ohio, on May 15, 1940. One of his first jobs after leaving Ohio University was a low-level position on "The Mike Douglas Show," a daytime variety and talk show that initially aired in Cleveland. He quickly worked his way up to executive producer and in 1967 had a life-changing conversation with Nixon, one of the show's guests, and convinced the future president of the importance of television. Nixon hired the 28-year-old Ailes to serve as executive producer for television on his successful presidential campaign a year later. Ailes was credited with crafting television events that let the candidate take his message directly to the public, rather than go through other media. Ailes' role was chronicled in the best-selling book "The Selling of the President 1968," but after he described Nixon as "a funny-looking" guy who was seen as "a bore, a pain in the ass" he lost his White House job. Ailes then worked in New York as consultant in both entertainment and politics, playing a role in successful campaigns by Reagan and Bush in the 1980s. He showed a special flair for attack ads. Ailes married Tilson in 1998, and she became publisher of the Putnam County News & Recorder near their home outside New York City after he purchased the newspaper in 2008. They had one son. (Reuters)

Fox News founder Roger Ailes dies at 77

President Donald Trump on Wednesday defended a star Fox News host accused of sexual harassment by several women, saying that Bill O&#39;Reilly is &quot;a good person.&quot;

A number of major advertisers have cancelled spots on US television&#39;s most-watched cable news show, &quot;The O&#39;Reilly Factor,&quot; following recent revelations of three new cases alleging abusive behavior.

The New York Times reported last week that the cable news giant and O&#39;Reilly had paid five women a total of $13 million in the cases spanning 15 years, in exchange for their silence and agreement not to pursue litigation against Fox News, a favorite among conservatives.&nbsp;

While two of the cases were previously known, the Times said it had unearthed three more cases of harassment, two of a sexual nature and one alleging verbally abusive behavior by O&#39;Reilly.

Trump, asked Wednesday by the Times about the accusations against O&#39;Reilly, came to the defense of the 67-year-old conservative TV host.

&quot;I don&#39;t think Bill did anything wrong,&quot; the 70-year-old president said. &quot;He&#39;s a person I know well -- he is a good person.&quot;

&quot;Personally, I think he shouldn&#39;t have settled,&quot; Trump said, suggesting O&#39;Reilly should have fought the lawsuits in court.

In a statement released after the New York Times report, O&#39;Reilly did not directly deny any of the allegations but said his prominence made him &quot;vulnerable to lawsuits from individuals who want me to pay them to avoid negative publicity.&quot;

During the US election campaign, Trump had defended then Fox News chief Roger Ailes, who also was accused of sexual harassment.

The scandal led to last July&#39;s ouster of Ailes, 76, who built the conservative news channel at the request of Rupert Murdoch, head of media giant News Corp.

Trump&#39;s election campaign was roiled after the release of a 2005 video that caught him on a &quot;hot mike&quot; making vulgar and degrading remarks about women.

After the video&#39;s release, a dozen women came forward to publicly accuse the Republican candidate of abusive behavior that, in some instances if confirmed, would have amounted to sexual assault.

Trump has consistently denied those accusations.

(AFP)

The Fox News host has been accused of sexual harassment by several women

President Donald Trump on Wednesday defended a star Fox News host accused of sexual harassment by several women, saying that Bill O'Reilly is "a good person." A number of major advertisers have cancelled spots on US television's most-watched cable news show, "The O'Reilly Factor," following recent revelations of three new cases alleging abusive behavior. The New York Times reported last week that the cable news giant and O'Reilly had paid five women a total of $13 million in the cases spanning 15 years, in exchange for their silence and agreement not to pursue litigation against Fox News, a favorite among conservatives. While two of the cases were previously known, the Times said it had unearthed three more cases of harassment, two of a sexual nature and one alleging verbally abusive behavior by O'Reilly. Trump, asked Wednesday by the Times about the accusations against O'Reilly, came to the defense of the 67-year-old conservative TV host. "I don't think Bill did anything wrong," the 70-year-old president said. "He's a person I know well -- he is a good person." "Personally, I think he shouldn't have settled," Trump said, suggesting O'Reilly should have fought the lawsuits in court. In a statement released after the New York Times report, O'Reilly did not directly deny any of the allegations but said his prominence made him "vulnerable to lawsuits from individuals who want me to pay them to avoid negative publicity." During the US election campaign, Trump had defended then Fox News chief Roger Ailes, who also was accused of sexual harassment. The scandal led to last July's ouster of Ailes, 76, who built the conservative news channel at the request of Rupert Murdoch, head of media giant News Corp. Trump's election campaign was roiled after the release of a 2005 video that caught him on a "hot mike" making vulgar and degrading remarks about women. After the video's release, a dozen women came forward to publicly accuse the Republican candidate of abusive behavior that, in some instances if confirmed, would have amounted to sexual assault. Trump has consistently denied those accusations. (AFP)

Beleaguered Bill O'Reilly 'a good person', says Trump

An expired Pakistani law allowing secret military courts to try civilians on terror charges was extended by the Senate for another two years Tuesday, despite stringent criticism from rights groups.

The law expired in January with the controversial tribunals having hanged 12 people and ordered the executions of 149 more.&nbsp;

The courts will now be revived as soon as Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain signs the amendment to extend them into law, a senior government official told AFP.&nbsp;

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) slammed the move in a statement.

&quot;The nationwide concern at a number of recent attacks in the country seems to have once again been misdirected toward a seriously flawed counter terrorism strategy that weakens the rule of law and the struggle for justice,&quot; said Sam Zarifi, ICJ`s Asia director.

&quot;Pakistan must reject this counter productive strategy and instead strengthen its judicial process and law enforcement in line with its domestic law and international obligations,&quot; he added.

The military courts were created by constitutional amendment after the country`s deadliest ever extremist attack in December 2014.

The assault on a school in northwestern Peshawar, in which gunmen killed more than 150 people -- mostly children -- traumatised a country already grimly accustomed to atrocities.&nbsp;

The army intensified an operation against militants in the tribal areas and the government launched a National Action Plan, including the creation of the courts, against extremism.&nbsp;

The courts were seen as an &quot;exceptional&quot; short-term measure put in place to allow the government time to reform the criminal justice system.&nbsp;

Last month, a fresh wave of militant violence killed 130 people across Pakistan.

The attacks, most of which were claimed by the Islamic State group or the Pakistani Taliban, dented optimism after the country appeared to be making strong gains in its decade-and-a-half long war on militancy.

(AFP)

Julie Roginsky, a political strategist, says she was denied a job after refusing the chairman's advances

An expired Pakistani law allowing secret military courts to try civilians on terror charges was extended by the Senate for another two years Tuesday, despite stringent criticism from rights groups. The law expired in January with the controversial tribunals having hanged 12 people and ordered the executions of 149 more. The courts will now be revived as soon as Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain signs the amendment to extend them into law, a senior government official told AFP. The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) slammed the move in a statement. "The nationwide concern at a number of recent attacks in the country seems to have once again been misdirected toward a seriously flawed counter terrorism strategy that weakens the rule of law and the struggle for justice," said Sam Zarifi, ICJ`s Asia director. "Pakistan must reject this counter productive strategy and instead strengthen its judicial process and law enforcement in line with its domestic law and international obligations," he added. The military courts were created by constitutional amendment after the country`s deadliest ever extremist attack in December 2014. The assault on a school in northwestern Peshawar, in which gunmen killed more than 150 people -- mostly children -- traumatised a country already grimly accustomed to atrocities. The army intensified an operation against militants in the tribal areas and the government launched a National Action Plan, including the creation of the courts, against extremism. The courts were seen as an "exceptional" short-term measure put in place to allow the government time to reform the criminal justice system. Last month, a fresh wave of militant violence killed 130 people across Pakistan. The attacks, most of which were claimed by the Islamic State group or the Pakistani Taliban, dented optimism after the country appeared to be making strong gains in its decade-and-a-half long war on militancy. (AFP)

Fox News, ousted chief hit by fresh sexual harassment lawsuit

Bill O&#39;Reilly, a star Fox News commentator, has been accused of harassment by at least five women associated with the network, resulting in multi-million dollar payouts, The New York Times reported Saturday.

It said the company and O&#39;Reilly had paid the five women a total of $13 million in the cases that span 15 years, in exchange for their silence and agreeing not to pursue litigation against Fox News, a favorite among conservatives.&nbsp;

While two of the cases were previously known, the Times said it had unearthed three more cases of harassment, two of a sexual nature and one alleging verbally abusive behavior by O&#39;Reilly.

The five women either worked for or made appearances on his program, &quot;The O&#39;Reilly Factor,&quot; or were staffers on other Fox programs, according to the Times report.

The women mostly accused O&#39;Reilly of using his powerful position at Fox to pressure them for sexual favors.

The most recent settlement was last year, the Times said.

(AFP)

New York Times said the company and O'Reilly paid five women $13 million in exchange for their silence

Bill O'Reilly, a star Fox News commentator, has been accused of harassment by at least five women associated with the network, resulting in multi-million dollar payouts, The New York Times reported Saturday. It said the company and O'Reilly had paid the five women a total of $13 million in the cases that span 15 years, in exchange for their silence and agreeing not to pursue litigation against Fox News, a favorite among conservatives. While two of the cases were previously known, the Times said it had unearthed three more cases of harassment, two of a sexual nature and one alleging verbally abusive behavior by O'Reilly. The five women either worked for or made appearances on his program, "The O'Reilly Factor," or were staffers on other Fox programs, according to the Times report. The women mostly accused O'Reilly of using his powerful position at Fox to pressure them for sexual favors. The most recent settlement was last year, the Times said. (AFP)

More harassment cases against Fox News' O'Reilly: NYT

Roger Ailes, the former Fox News chairman who last month left the station in disgrace amid sexual harassment allegations, is now an adviser to Donald Trump, reports the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/17/us/politics/donald-trump-roger-ailes.html">New York Times</a>.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="http://www.vox.com/2016/8/15/12416662/roger-ailes-fox-sexual-harassment-women-list">Vox.com</a> reports that over 20 women have accused Ailes of sexual harrassment.&nbsp; 
 
Fox News has had a distinct place in all the controversies in Trump&#39;s presidential campaign, especially in the dispute with host Megyn Kelly. The two clashed bitterly in the first Republican primary debate back in 2015 after Mr Trump attributed her agitation during the debate to the fact she was menstruating. 
 
After making a number of statements considered to be insulting and offensive, female support for Trump is at its lowest. Perhaps as a result, as Fortune.com&nbsp;points out, of Mr Trump&#39;s new slew of economic advisers, eight of the nine are women. This comes after naming an exclusively male group of advisers. The site points to a&nbsp;poll conducted by <a href="http://fortune.com/2016/08/11/women-donald-trump-chart/">Morning Consult</a>&nbsp;that lists Hillary Clinton&#39;s support among females at 47 per cent, whereas Trump has 34 per cent. 
 
Trump has repeatedly denied being sexist. It is unclear how bringing aboard an adviser just relieved of his high-profile position after allegations of sexual harassment will help him woo female voters. &nbsp;But Mr Ailes has been a Republican political consultant for years, including as a top adviser for Richard Nixon&#39;s presidential campaign and a debate coach for both Ronald Reagan in 1984 and George Bush in 1988. 
 
As the New York Times article highlights, Trump was asked on July 24 by NBC&#39;s Chuck Todd whether Mr Ailes was going to advise the campaign, and he replied:&nbsp;&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t want to comment. But he&rsquo;s been a friend of mine for a long time.&rdquo; He said that Mr Ailes was a &ldquo;very, very good person&rdquo; and said, &ldquo;A lot of people are thinking he&rsquo;s going to run my campaign.&rdquo; 
 
(WION)

Ailes, who has been accused by over 20 women of sexual harassment, has been a Republican political consultant for years

Roger Ailes, the former Fox News chairman who last month left the station in disgrace amid sexual harassment allegations, is now an adviser to Donald Trump, reports the New York Times. Vox.com reports that over 20 women have accused Ailes of sexual harrassment. Fox News has had a distinct place in all the controversies in Trump's presidential campaign, especially in the dispute with host Megyn Kelly. The two clashed bitterly in the first Republican primary debate back in 2015 after Mr Trump attributed her agitation during the debate to the fact she was menstruating. After making a number of statements considered to be insulting and offensive, female support for Trump is at its lowest. Perhaps as a result, as Fortune.com points out, of Mr Trump's new slew of economic advisers, eight of the nine are women. This comes after naming an exclusively male group of advisers. The site points to a poll conducted by Morning Consult that lists Hillary Clinton's support among females at 47 per cent, whereas Trump has 34 per cent. Trump has repeatedly denied being sexist. It is unclear how bringing aboard an adviser just relieved of his high-profile position after allegations of sexual harassment will help him woo female voters. But Mr Ailes has been a Republican political consultant for years, including as a top adviser for Richard Nixon's presidential campaign and a debate coach for both Ronald Reagan in 1984 and George Bush in 1988. As the New York Times article highlights, Trump was asked on July 24 by NBC's Chuck Todd whether Mr Ailes was going to advise the campaign, and he replied: “I don’t want to comment. But he’s been a friend of mine for a long time.” He said that Mr Ailes was a “very, very good person” and said, “A lot of people are thinking he’s going to run my campaign.” (WION)

Trump to be advised by disgraced former Fox News chairman Roger Ailes

Roger Ailes on Thursday resigned as chairman and chief executive of Fox News Channel following allegations of sexual harassment, an abrupt end to his 20-year rein over America&#39;s most lucrative and powerful cable news channel for conservatives.&nbsp; 
 
Rupert Murdoch, 85, the executive chairman of Twenty-First Century Fox Inc, the parent of Fox News, will assume the role of CEO Fox News and Fox Business Network on an interim basis, the company said on Thursday. 
 
Ailes, who will serve as an informal adviser to Rupert Murdoch and no longer have an official role at the company, will receive a severance package of about $40 million, according to a source familiar with the situation, who asked to remain anonymous. 
 
In his resignation letter to Murdoch, Ailes did not indicate he had done anything wrong. 
 
&quot;I take particular pride in the role that I have played advancing the careers of the many women I have promoted to executive and on-air positions,&quot; Ailes wrote in the letter, which his lawyer Susan Estrich provided to Reuters. 
 
However, he added: &quot;I will not allow my presence to become a distraction from the work that must be done every day to ensure that Fox News and Fox Business continue to lead our industry.&quot; 
 
The resignation marks a swift downfall for Ailes, the 76-year-old media executive who advised several US Republican presidents, including George HW Bush, and turned Fox News into the most-watched US cable news channel. 
 
His departure comes on the final and biggest night of the Republican National Convention where Donald Trump will formally accept the Republican presidential nomination.&nbsp; 
 
Trump tweeted on Thursday, &ldquo;Roger Ailes just called. He is a great guy &amp; assures me that &#39;Trump&#39; will be treated fairly on @FoxNews. His word is always good!&rdquo; 
 
Former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson sued Ailes earlier this month claiming sexual harassment. Ailes has denied the charges. Fox hired a law firm to conduct an internal investigation.&nbsp; 
 
New York magazine followed up with reports of other women who said they had been harassed by Ailes. On Tuesday, the magazine said that popular Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly had told investigators hired by Fox that Ailes &quot;made unwanted sexual advances toward her&quot; about 10 years ago. 
 
Ailes, who founded the cable channel in 1996, did not sexually harass Kelly, according to a statement attributed to his lawyer in the New York Times on Tuesday.&nbsp; 
 
The resignation comes as Fox News, known for a line-up of politically conservative commentators, including best-selling author Bill O&#39;Reilly, is drawing record viewership. The network is the most-watched channel in all of basic cable television this year with an average of 2.2 million prime-time viewers, according to Nielsen data through June. 
 
Challenges ahead 
 
Whoever replaces Ailes faces the twin challenges of retaining Fox News&#39; established on-air stars such as O&#39;Reilly and Kelly, while making the network attractive to younger viewers, a demographic it has consistently missed. 
 
O&#39;Reilly and Kelly&#39;s contracts are up in 2017, and stars, including Greta Van Susteren and Sean Hannity, all have clauses in their contracts that allow them to leave the network if Ailes departs, according to media reports. 
 
New management will also have to win over the many Ailes loyalists left in the rank. 
 
&quot;Roger Ailes is the best boss I have ever had. I admire him professionally,&quot; Fox News anchor Chris Wallace said in an email. &quot;And I love him personally. I am heartbroken he is gone.&quot; 
 
Murdoch, who built his father&#39;s Australian newspaper business into one of the world&#39;s most powerful news and entertainment conglomerates, has always been fiercely loyal to Ailes, and cut his vacation short in the French Riviera with his wife Jerry Hall to handle the resignation. 
 
While the choice of Murdoch makes sense in terms of &ldquo;creating a holding pattern for programming and talent,&rdquo; Fox would be wise to work quickly to find a new CEO, said Merrill Brown, a former media executive who helped launch MSNBC. &ldquo;It is a good choice if its length is measured in weeks.&quot; 
 
Ailes&#39; long experience as both a television producer and a Republican strategist helped him to formulate a winning strategy: hire charismatic talent to appeal to a conservative audience. 
 
&ldquo;Roger Ailes has made a remarkable contribution to our company and our country,&quot; Murdoch said in a statement. &quot;Roger shared my vision of a great and independent television organisation and executed it brilliantly over 20 great years.&quot; 
 
Critics said Ailes pushed a Republican agenda under the oft-repeated slogan &quot;Fair and Balanced.&quot; His fans said he smartly recognised that conservative TV viewers were not seeing their viewpoints reflected on Time Warner Inc&#39;s CNN or major broadcast networks. Fox News Channel went on the air in 1996, just before Bill Clinton was elected to a second term as president, with Ailes as founding CEO. 
 
While Ailes&#39; departure may not come at an ideal time for Fox News, the momentum of record ratings amid the most sensational US presidential election in decades may give the cable network some breathing room to recover, media buyers and Wall Street analysts have told Reuters. And some of them say this could be an opportunity for Fox News, whose median age of viewers is over 65, to focus on getting younger fans. 
 
(Reuters)

Roger Ailes will serve as an informal adviser to Rupert Murdoch and will receive a severance package of about $40 million

Roger Ailes on Thursday resigned as chairman and chief executive of Fox News Channel following allegations of sexual harassment, an abrupt end to his 20-year rein over America's most lucrative and powerful cable news channel for conservatives. Rupert Murdoch, 85, the executive chairman of Twenty-First Century Fox Inc, the parent of Fox News, will assume the role of CEO Fox News and Fox Business Network on an interim basis, the company said on Thursday. Ailes, who will serve as an informal adviser to Rupert Murdoch and no longer have an official role at the company, will receive a severance package of about $40 million, according to a source familiar with the situation, who asked to remain anonymous. In his resignation letter to Murdoch, Ailes did not indicate he had done anything wrong. "I take particular pride in the role that I have played advancing the careers of the many women I have promoted to executive and on-air positions," Ailes wrote in the letter, which his lawyer Susan Estrich provided to Reuters. However, he added: "I will not allow my presence to become a distraction from the work that must be done every day to ensure that Fox News and Fox Business continue to lead our industry." The resignation marks a swift downfall for Ailes, the 76-year-old media executive who advised several US Republican presidents, including George HW Bush, and turned Fox News into the most-watched US cable news channel. His departure comes on the final and biggest night of the Republican National Convention where Donald Trump will formally accept the Republican presidential nomination. Trump tweeted on Thursday, “Roger Ailes just called. He is a great guy & assures me that 'Trump' will be treated fairly on @FoxNews. His word is always good!” Former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson sued Ailes earlier this month claiming sexual harassment. Ailes has denied the charges. Fox hired a law firm to conduct an internal investigation. New York magazine followed up with reports of other women who said they had been harassed by Ailes. On Tuesday, the magazine said that popular Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly had told investigators hired by Fox that Ailes "made unwanted sexual advances toward her" about 10 years ago. Ailes, who founded the cable channel in 1996, did not sexually harass Kelly, according to a statement attributed to his lawyer in the New York Times on Tuesday. The resignation comes as Fox News, known for a line-up of politically conservative commentators, including best-selling author Bill O'Reilly, is drawing record viewership. The network is the most-watched channel in all of basic cable television this year with an average of 2.2 million prime-time viewers, according to Nielsen data through June. Challenges ahead Whoever replaces Ailes faces the twin challenges of retaining Fox News' established on-air stars such as O'Reilly and Kelly, while making the network attractive to younger viewers, a demographic it has consistently missed. O'Reilly and Kelly's contracts are up in 2017, and stars, including Greta Van Susteren and Sean Hannity, all have clauses in their contracts that allow them to leave the network if Ailes departs, according to media reports. New management will also have to win over the many Ailes loyalists left in the rank. "Roger Ailes is the best boss I have ever had. I admire him professionally," Fox News anchor Chris Wallace said in an email. "And I love him personally. I am heartbroken he is gone." Murdoch, who built his father's Australian newspaper business into one of the world's most powerful news and entertainment conglomerates, has always been fiercely loyal to Ailes, and cut his vacation short in the French Riviera with his wife Jerry Hall to handle the resignation. While the choice of Murdoch makes sense in terms of “creating a holding pattern for programming and talent,” Fox would be wise to work quickly to find a new CEO, said Merrill Brown, a former media executive who helped launch MSNBC. “It is a good choice if its length is measured in weeks." Ailes' long experience as both a television producer and a Republican strategist helped him to formulate a winning strategy: hire charismatic talent to appeal to a conservative audience. “Roger Ailes has made a remarkable contribution to our company and our country," Murdoch said in a statement. "Roger shared my vision of a great and independent television organisation and executed it brilliantly over 20 great years." Critics said Ailes pushed a Republican agenda under the oft-repeated slogan "Fair and Balanced." His fans said he smartly recognised that conservative TV viewers were not seeing their viewpoints reflected on Time Warner Inc's CNN or major broadcast networks. Fox News Channel went on the air in 1996, just before Bill Clinton was elected to a second term as president, with Ailes as founding CEO. While Ailes' departure may not come at an ideal time for Fox News, the momentum of record ratings amid the most sensational US presidential election in decades may give the cable network some breathing room to recover, media buyers and Wall Street analysts have told Reuters. And some of them say this could be an opportunity for Fox News, whose median age of viewers is over 65, to focus on getting younger fans. (Reuters)

Fox News chief quits after sexual harassment claims

fox-news

Fox News, News on Fox News, stories on Fox News, articles on Fox News, Fox News stories at Wion, Fox News news, Fox News latest news

fox news