British officials hammer Fox News


The 21st Century Fox attempt to purchase a controlling Sky TV may have been given a “go ahead” pass by UK media regulators Ofcom last week, but in their findings, the regulators took the opportunity to hammer Fox leadership about “significant failings” at the network.


Ofcom ruled that Fox did, indeed, qualify as fit and proper to hold a UK broadcast license. Then the other shoe dropped. Ofcom detailed accusations of sexual harassment that led to the resignations of Fox News CEO Roger Ailes and top star Bill O’Reilly, calling them “deeply disturbing…significant failings of the corporate culture…”
As part of their statement, here’s what Ofcom actually has to say:
“The allegations that have been put to us about sexual harassment at Fox News are of an extremely serious and disturbing nature. They include allegations of women being told that their professional advancement was dependent on entering into a sexual relationship with senior executives, and of women being asked to display themselves to senior executives. Allegations put to us of racial harassment by a particular manager at Fox News (who has been fired) are just as disturbing. They range from mockery of individuals' language and accents and of the Black Lives Matter movement to the perpetuation of offensive racist stereotypes about black, Islamic, Chinese, Asian, and Panamanian people…”
After what amounted to a stern lecture and expression of disgust, Ofcom concluded that there was “no evidence” Fox’s senior managers knew what allegedly happened related to the accusations. Moreover, regulators said they harbored no concerns about the corporate culture of Sky merging with that of Fox. Sky, they insinuated, would not fail to manage any potential misconduct issues. Bottom line, Fox was “fit and proper” and, after the merger, Sky would remain so as well.
Fox released an official statement about the decision, saying it was “pleased” with the decision. “Ofcom recognizes that Sky, under full 21CF [Century Fox] ownership, would remain a fit and proper holder of broadcast licenses.”
That’s not to say Fox is in the clear. The British government has withheld approval of the takeover…at least for the time being. The reasons for this are, reportedly, unrelated to Ofcom’s concerns, but it’s very likely they will be connected in the minds of consumers – and perhaps advertisers – forming opinions about the merger, and of the influence, Fox would then hold in Britain.

Another factor that comes into play is how Sky’s audience will feel about Fox’s alleged “failings.” Do they expect Fox’s reputation to overshadow business as usual at Sky … and how will they respond to these feelings and expectations? Questions both Fox and Sky will want to answer even if the British government eventually gives them the green light.
Robert Gillings is an award winning writer, producer, actor architectural designer, philosopher and financial consultant.

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