Fox News Originator, Roger Ailes, Is Dead
Z on TV: Roger Ailes' legacy as media visionary overshadowed by predatory culture at Fox News
Former Fox News CEO Roger Ailes died this morning at 77, the news channel reported.
Roger Ailes , who in founding Fox News changed the relationship of TV and politics more than any other media figure in broadcasting history, is dead at age 77 , his family announced today in a statement to the conservative news site Drudge Report. No cause of death was given.
"I am profoundly sad and heartbroken to report that my husband, Roger Ailes, passed away this morning," his wife, Elizabeth, said in a statement released to the conservative news site Drudge Report. "Roger was a loving husband to me, to his son Zachary, and a loyal friend to many. He was also a patriot, profoundly grateful to live in a country that gave him so much opportunity to work hard, to rise -- and to give back."
Ailes, who was forced out as Fox News chairman in July in the wake of a sexual harassment suit by former Fox anchor Gretchen Carlson, was a towering figure in conservative politics and American media with the network he dubbed “fair and balanced,” despite its obvious right-wing orientation.
Ailes was a media visionary, no doubt about it. But his accomplishments in that regard are likely to be overshadowed, at least in short-term memory, by the predatory culture of sexual harassment he instituted at Fox — a culture that now appears to be destroying the network he built with lawsuits, management shakeups and resignations.
To the end, Ailes has denied all allegations of sexual harassment.
In July, when Ailes was forced out by Fox News, I wrote what was essentially a professional obituary for him, laying out his media legacy.
Here is some of what I wrote:
There are only three other executives in the history of television who are in the same league [as Ailes]: Ted Turner , who founded CNN, and William Paley and David Sarnoff, who founded CBS and NBC, respectively. The two founders of the broadcasting industry and the cable pioneer Turner were playing with their own money, so we should probably give them extra points for that.
But none of the networks or channels were such a singular extension of their founders' personalities as was Fox — despite the outsized egos of Paley, Sarnoff and Turner. That, too, was both a good and bad thing.
On the plus side, the pugnacious Ailes instilled a scrappiness in Fox that became an absolute we're-No. 1 swagger as its ratings rose. He also established an almost tribal us-against-them mentality that intimidated the competition. This wasn't just television they were making; it was holy warfare on what Ailes saw as a liberal bias in mainstream media.
You can't deny that his method was effective, he managed to brainwash millions of white middle aged American men into believing "their" country was being taken from them, but his lasting effect is of having poisoned American political discourse to a point almost beyond imagining.
"Fair and balanced" was a sham, and studies repeatedly showed Fox News viewers were the most ill informed people in America.
That is Ailes legacy, and it is a shameful one.
"Roger was a loving husband to me"
Wow, I expected to hear that she murdered him.
He only murdered her soul.
I haven't felt this bad since Antonin Scalia kicked the bucket.
I haven't felt this bad since Antonin Scalia kicked the bucket.
Geee, Aeonpax, pretty durn cold! ( snort : )
Normally most people try to feel bad when someone dies, out of human courtesy. But there are individuals who make that tough, Ailes would be one of them.
Normally most people try to feel bad when someone dies, out of human courtesy. But there are individuals who make that tough, Ailes would be one of them.
True enough John.
At least Lee Atwater apologized for the damage his actions had caused America before he died.
Ailes? Not so much.
Roger Ailes is dead. His scourge will live for decades
No tears or sympathy from me. Patoooie!
I just wonder how young the hooker was that was in bed with him at the time?
What a terrible comment. Inhuman.
I'll miss Lemmy more than Ailes.
Desperately trying to come up with something nice to say, here. May he rest in peace. My prayers are with those that loved him. Just because his goodness wasn't obvious, doesn't mean he didn't have some-- thankfully, I can leave that up to God.
lady d sometimes all that can be said is sympathies and condolences to the survivors and family, the old rule of if ya have nothing nice to say then don't say anything . usually a good rule in situations like this because anything negative or bad wont be affecting the dead , they don't give a rip I would bet, but it does affect those left behind that are already morning and is a cheap shot of grave dancing that doesn't affect the object of scorn and distaste.
Not much into grave dancing myself , but I wonder how some that are into it , would feel if someone that dislikes them were to say it would be alright to crap in their mothers caskets for giving birth to anal drips like their offspring?
or suggesting that it be carved on their moms head stone " should have swallowed instead of farted...".
point is the dead wont care , the living will.
and with that, enough of my own premature grave dancing....
I think that was what I was trying to do.
and you did so very well.
Thanks! I was trying to be nice and give him the benefit of the doubt. I didn't know the man personally. I'm sure he had goodness and kindness in him somewhere. Perhaps towards his family-- after all, they must have loved him!
Gotta agree with you guys.
We don't discuss someone like Roger Ailes in terms of his family. There is no reason to. Think of the worst person you know , or can imagine. He/she has a family too.
It is not inappropriate to tell the truth about this man, even on his death. Think of every bad thing that has happened to the media, news, and politics over the past 20 years and you may find his fingerprint on it.
No tears from me.
John , you have already been proven wrong , D , myself and even perrie agree , the families feeling during this period are what does matter , if you wish to correct that "ROYAL " we to I , feel free ,but please consider not everyone follows your prescribed hackery.
I'm sure Adolf Hitler's mother was a pleasant person. Who fucking cares. This isn't about someone's mother, it's about a menace to decent society.
And Godwin's law applies. I mean let's get real.. you're comparing Ailes to Hitler? Gee must have missed his plan for the master race and genocide.
I didn't like what he did with his job, but that is what it was.. a job.
I didn't like what he did with his job, but that is what it was.. a job.
You are so naive.
I need to stop commenting on this site.
I need to stop commenting on this site.
Please don't.
Perrie , I find it rather telling that during the trojan war, Achilles , and the Trojan king could come to an agreement after the death of Hector for a period of morning , with respect , during the time of what was suppose to be the birth of democracy, yet todays self proclaimed democrats cant fathom it because it doesn't fit an agenda.
I'm not comparing anyone to Hitler, I'm simply making the observation that one's mother is irrelevant. You're the one agreeing with Mark, in his statement musing about the likelihood of a grave dancer attacking someone's mother.
What I am agreeing to with Mark, is that they guy just died and this is an obit. If you want to discuss his effect on news, do it not on an obit, but in a commentary.
Sick comment lacking any humanity. Typical liberal.
John , you have already been proven wrong , D , myself and even perrie agree , the families feeling during this period are what does matter , if you wish to correct that "ROYAL " we to I , feel free ,but please consider not everyone follows your prescribed hackery.
I'm not sure the Ailes family is awaiting your words of bereavement. It is more than common for people to talk about the controversies connected to a celebrity that dies.
Way I see it lady d , the kindness and humanity is for his family not him , and that's what separates some people from others .
Dear Friend Dowser: In Hebrew Scriptural Commentary there is a passage on-point here.
"Yesh yavoh Yom ha Din, Baruch Dayan Emet".
"There will come a day of judgement, Blessed be the True Judge" (G-D).
I join others in conveying condolences to those suffering a loss, without respect to the character shortcomings and virtues of the one(s) lost.
Those who are hurting need comforting while they heal.
I see no reason for any exception to providing that when, as, where, and how requested and desired.
We best serve G-d by serving all whom He created.
Peace and Abundant Blessings Always.
Enoch.
Thank you, Enoch. Thank all of you. It's not up to me to judge the sum total of a man's character, especially when I don't know it. For me, it's best left up to God. His family, and those that loved him, have my sympathy. He may not have my approval of his business dealings, but I feel sure that he was a kind and loving father and was likely a loving, supportive husband.
Sometimes, we love the flawed humans even more because we realized that they are doing the best they can, despite their flaws.
I don't watch Fox News, I don't see a lot of difference besides the backwards reflection of a mirror between it and CNN and some other media outlets (none are trustworthy).
I do feel bad for his family, a husband and father gone from their family forever.
I don't watch Fox News, I don't see a lot of difference besides the backwards reflection of a mirror between it and CNN and some other media outlets
let's hope you watched it at some point before drawing your conclusions
I will not be attending his funeral but I did send the family a nice card saying I approved of it.
May his victims feel some peace today.
RIP, Roger Ailes. Sincere Condolences to his family and friends.
RIP.
You can see the true faces of his opposition on this thread. Disgusting.