It seems poor old Shep isn't the only Roger Ailes' lackey expected to carry water for their boss after former Fox host Gretchen Carlson filed a lawsuit against Ailes for sexual harassment.
Media Buzz host Howard Kurtz took his turn in the box this Sunday in defending Ailes, and promised he was going to "stick to the facts" when covering this story. Too bad he decided to omit the fact that Gretchen Carlson isn't the only one making similar accusations against Ailes.
He did mention that Ailes is trying to force this thing into arbitration. Let's hope he doesn't get away with burying the suit.
Here's a partial transcript of Kurtz and his water carrying. Kurtz is such a tool. He's a perfect fit over on Fox.
KURTZ: Carlson's Real Story generally won its time slot, but it's the lowest rated show in FNC and last month lost in the key viewer demographic to CNN. Carlson, the former co-host of Fox & Friends also makes allegations about Steve Doocy, who's not a defendant, saying he created a hostile work environment by treating her in a condescending and sexist way.
The network's parent company, 21st Century Fox expressed full confidence in Ailes and in Doocy while also saying there will be an internal review. In her book last year, Carlson praised Ailes and in a handwritten note last fall, after the very meeting where she alleges harassment, she thanked him and wrote “I'd love to stay at Fox. Thank you also for suggesting a prime time special.”
Ailes in a memo obtained by LawNewz.com that we confirmed told the top executive that “I met with Gretchen last night and I think we'll give it another chance taking on the opportunity she requested.”
And on Friday Ailes moved to turn the suit into a confidential arbitration proceeding saying Carlson breached her contract, requiring such a step for any conflict with the company. Carlson's lawyers say he's trying to force the proceedings into secrecy.
Carlson herself says in a statement that she took this “difficult step” because “I had to stand up for myself and look out for all women.”
Now I understand why the media would jump on such allegations, but lawsuits, by their very nature, contain exactly that, allegations. With some outlets now quoting anonymous sources, we'll stick to the facts in covering this case.
