O’Reilly ‘has had tremendous run’…
“Fox News is reportedly preparing to cut ties with star host Bill O’Reilly amid growing sexual harassment allegations against the anchor. An attorney for O’Reilly claims he “has been subjected to a brutal campaign of character assassination.”
O’Reilly last appeared on air on April 11 when he announced he was taking a pre-planned vacation. The question now is whether that vacation could become permanent, reports CBS News correspondent Anna Werner.
New York Magazine reported the Murdoch family, which controls Fox News’ parent company, 21st Century Fox, is split on what to do about the host: James and Lachlan Murdoch are in favor of dismissing him, but their father, Rupert, has resisted because, as the magazine put it: “it would make it appear he was forced into a decision by the New York Times.”
The magazine, citing sources, reported Wednesday that the network was preparing to announce O’Reilly’s departure within the next several days.
“This is a real test of whether or not Rupert Murdoch is really going to let them run the company,” said Cynthia Littleton, Variety’s managing editor for television. “The success of Fox News was in large part built on the shoulders of Bill O’Reilly. It would be a difficult situation for any family when you add in billions of dollars at stake and influence and power.”
On April 1, the New York Times revealed that O’Reilly and Fox paid up to $13 million to settle accusations of sexual harassment or other inappropriate behavior by O’Reilly against five women. ”
READ MORE: cbsnews.com/news/bill-oreilly-is-fox-news-firing-anchor/
READ: hollywoodreporter.com/news/bill-oreilly-accuser-says-he-called-her-hot-chocolate-leered-995158
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