Media

21st Century Fox reaches $90 million settlement in sexual harassment case

21st Century Fox reached a $90 million settlement on Monday regarding shareholder claims from sexual misconduct accusations at the Fox News Channel, which is owned by 21st Century Fox. 

Reuters reports the settlement says the insurers of Fox News, as well as the estate of late chairman and CEO Roger Ailes, are to pay the company $90 million to benefit its shareholders. 

The settlement works to resolve derivative claims against key figures in the news organization, including Ailes’s estate, acting CEO Rupert Murdoch, and Murdoch’s son, Lachlan. 

The defendants did not admit to wrongdoing in the settlement, which needs a judge’s approval, according to the news service.

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Fox News says it has worked to achieve an improved workplace environment through its Workplace Professionalism and Inclusion Council. 

“The Workplace Council gives our management team access to a brain trust of experts with deep and diverse experiences in workplace issues,” co-president of Fox News Jack Abernethy said in a statement. 

“We look forward to benefiting from their collective guidance,” he continued. 

Fox News has been subject to a slew of sexual misconduct allegations against Ailes and former TV hosts Bill O’Reilly and Eric Bolling. 

All three men departed the organization in the aftermath of allegations. 

The settlement comes as women across the country have come forward to accuse prominent men in various fields of sexual misconduct.

Other influential media figures such as Charlie Rose, Mark Halperin and Glenn Thrush have been all been accused of such misconduct, some in recent days.