According to a New York Times, Fox News host Bill O'Reilly's comments were among the reasons Megyn Kelly left the network.
Bill O’Reilly’s dismissive attitude about the sexual harassment claim in Megyn Kelly’s book played a role in convincing her to leave Fox News, reports the New York Times based on inside sources.
The chain of events was said to have begun in fall of 2016 when he appeared on “CBS This Morning” and was asked about Kelly’s allegation that former Fox News chairman Roger Ailes had sexually harassed her.
O’Reilly responded by saying, “It’s open season, ‘Let’s whack the Fox News Channel.’ I’ve had enough of it. It’s a good place to work, all right?”
According to the Times, “The comments set off a media firestorm and frustrated Ms. Kelly, who sent an email to Fox News executives complaining about his behavior and the chilling effect it could have on women at the company and beyond…”
Nevertheless, O’Reilly continued to speak out about the matter, saying during the commentary part of his show, “The O’Reilly Factor,” “If somebody is paying you a wage, you owe that person or company allegiance. You don’t like what’s happening in the workplace, go to human resources or leave.”
The Times notes, “That experience, along with a deep skepticism about whether the network was truly committed to changing its culture after Mr. Ailes was forced out, was a factor in Ms. Kelly’s decision to leave Fox News for a new role at NBC News, according to two people familiar with the matter.”
O’Reilly himself has been under fire since a Times investigation revealed earlier this month that around $13 million has been paid out to five women claiming that the popular Fox News host sexually harassed or acted inappropriately towards them.
Many of his show's advertisers have reacted to the report.
NPR noted on Wednesday, "At last count, dozens of companies have pulled their ads from the program. In other words, according to an analysis by the ad-tracking firm iSpot.tv, The O'Reilly Factor has lost more than half its advertisers since The New York Times first reported the settlements."
