Ailes quits as Fox News boss amid sex harassment suit

New York : Roger Ailes, who built Fox News into a popular and politically powerful cable network that help redefine US television news, resigned Thursday under the cloud of a sexual harassment lawsuit.

He was replaced by Rupert Murdoch, head of parent company 21st Century Fox and founder of the empire that includes Fox.

The company said in a statement that the resignation was effective immediately and that Murdoch, 85, would take over the roles of chairman and acting chief executive of Fox News Channel andFox Business Network.

The news comes two weeks after Ailes was named in a lawsuit by the popular Fox News host Gretchen Carlson, who claimed she was fired for rejecting his sexual advances.

The company statement made no mention of the lawsuit or its review of the allegations.

The move represents tremendous turmoil at Fox, built by Ailes and Murdoch two decades ago into the leading cable news channel, drawing praise especially from conservatives and criticism from the political left.

With the change, Rupert Murdoch returns to a bigger role a year after handing over more control of operations to his two sons.

"Roger Ailes has made a remarkable contribution to our company and our country," Murdoch said in the statement.

"Roger shared my vision of a great and independent television organization and executed it brilliantly over 20 great years."

Murdoch said he and Ailes created a network that stands "in stark contrast to the self-serving elitism that characterizes far too much of the media."

"I am personally committed to ensuring that Fox News remains a distinctive, powerful voice," he added. "Our nation needs a robust Fox News to resonate from every corner of the country."