Fox News recently decided to fire Bill O'Reilly. Their making the decision at this time speaks volumes. Previously, 5 women had sued O'Reilly for sexual harassment. Between the host of "The O'Reilly Factor" and Fox itself, over $13 million was paid out to the accusers. O'Reilly went on with his show as if none of it ever happened.
The Maxine Waters factor
Bill O'Reilly brings in 200 million dollars each year for Fox. Its been alleged that this is why the 5 accusers were paid, and also why the host was allowed to stay on the air. By this action Fox was condoning the behavior of their employee, and keeping things hush hush.
It probably would have stayed that way, had it not been for Maxine Waters. O'Reilly commented that the congresswoman looked as if she were wearing James Brown's wig. This caused a backlash of accusations regarding the Fox News host. And shortly after, the story broke regarding the 5 women.
Once the truth was out, O'Reilly lost major endorsements. Fox came under fire for basically patting their host on the back for bad behavior. Now that all has been made public, the news giant must save face. Therefore they have now released the former host from his position. He will, however, receive at least one year's income. This decision amounts to a slap on the wrist for O'Reilly. It is also a slap in the face to every woman who has been bullied or sexually harassed by a powerful man in the workplace.
Had Mr. O'Reilly not made fun of Maxine Waters, it's possible none of this would ever have taken place. This speaks volumes regarding the powers that be at Fox.
Timing is everything
Fox News had the ability to handle this situation a long time ago. Had they taken seriously the first or at least the first 2 or 3 charges against their meal ticket, the rest of it may not have happened.
By waiting they allowed the Maxine Waters situation to manifest. The timing of the firing is suspect, and speaks volumes.
The news industry is overwhelmingly male, and these powerful men dominate, as well as stick together. Consider that President Donald Trump has also had multiple women accuse him of sexual misconduct. He stuck by O'Reilly, and went so far as to say that he did not believe his friend did anything wrong.
Fox News executives are telling on themselves. It's obvious that powerful men believe they are above the law, but they are not. If one truth comes out of this situation, it is that women today do not take harassment as par for the course, as did generations before them.
