As O’Reilly Loses at Least 60 Advertisers Fox News Announces Investigation Into Sexual Harassment Allegations
Can O’Reilly Survive at Fox News?
When forced, Fox News investigated allegations of sexual harassment against its chairman and CEO Roger Ailes, ultimately parting ways with the man who created the network two decades earlier. Now, Fox News host Bill O’Reilly, the face of the network’s top show, is facing the possibility of a similar fate.
One week ago The New York Times reported Fox News, its parent company, and O’Reilly paid five women a total of $13 million to settle sexual harassment claims against the conservative political commentator. Immediately, advertisers began to pull out. Now, at least 60 sponsors have announced they will not support “The O’Reilly Factor,” according to CNN.
Also last week, in light of the New York Times article, several women steppe forward to say that they too were sexually harassed by Bill O’Reilly.
The network is not ignoring the allegations.
“I’m told that they are taking it seriously, and they are going to do the investigation that’s legally required of them,” attorney Lisa Bloom told CNN’s Brian Stelter on Sunday.
“This is not blowing over…there are going to be more claims,” says @LisaBloom on Bill O’Reilly harassment scandal https://t.co/N5ZYR2tPTi
— CNN (@CNN) April 9, 2017
Fox News also told CNN it “investigates all complaints and we have asked the law firm Paul Weiss to continue assisting the company in these serious matters.”
Meanwhile, there’s an active campaign on social media targeting advertisers who remain with O’Reilly. Angie’s List initially had stated it would allow its customers to make decisions for themselves, but by week’s end they switched gears and pulled support from the show.
Think Progress editor Judd Legum has been among those at the forefront of documenting advertisers who stay or go.
As advertisers drop O’Reilly in droves there was one new major national brand advertising on O’Reilly Friday night:@McDonalds
— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) April 8, 2017
The New York Times “Mediator” column Sunday noted “O’Reilly first rose at Fox by riding hard against the ethical lapses of former President Bill Clinton, who, he said at the time, couldn’t ‘adhere to a decent standard of behavior.'”
But now, it’s “O’Reilly who stands accused of showing poor values; of playing the victim, suggesting in a statement that his prominence has made him an easy mark for opportunistic women seeking a payday.”
For help, Mr. O’Reilly has turned to none other than a man who took a leading role in defending Mr. Clinton from the likes of Mr. O’Reilly in the 1990s, the former White House aide and Democratic strategist Mark Fabiani.
Will O’Reilly survive?Â
Time will tell.
To comment on this article and other NCRM content, visit our Facebook page.
Image via Facebook
Â

Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.
![]() |