A few months ago, Bill O’Reilly was fired from Fox News due to a huge sexual harassment scandal. The summer before, the former CEO resigned because of the multiple harassment claims against him from former female Fox News employees. I wish I could say this behavior was a recent thing…It’s not.
It was revealed in April 2017 that since 2002 the former employees, five in all, have been paid a total amount of $13 million to keep them quiet about the allegations. By O’Reilly AND Fox News. Some women were fired because they didn’t accept these advances. Fox News was more worried about protecting the predators than the victims. And it’s sad. Women’s jobs and livelihoods should not be on the line because of a man, especially those with power, being extremely inappropriate and inconsiderate. Women should receive the same respect in the workforce without worrying whether a co-worker will catcall her or worse. They also shouldn’t have to keep the harassment and/or assault a secret and worry whether or not someone will believe them.
It’s apparent that Fox News has no respect for women or the laws but enjoy the amount of money they receive from sponsors. The network has done done nothing but breed a toxic, misogynistic environment. Just because the CEO and O’Reilly are gone doesn’t mean the harassment has ended. Fox News will continue to disrespect their female employees and cover-up for the male employees who do wrong unless something is done to change it.
If you or someone you know has faced sexual harassment, don’t be afraid to speak up. If you need help, you can call RAINN’s (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), use the online chat–online.rainn.org/ rainn.org/es (espanol)–or visit https://www.rainn.org for more information on a specific topic.
