In the clearest sign yet that Fox News wants to sweep out the old, the network announced plans to gut the entire floor of offices recently occupied by disgraced former CEO Roger Ailes to create a state-of-the-art open newsroom as part of a renovation of its New York City headquarters.
21st Century Fox executive chairman Rupert Murdoch gathered Fox News employees on Wednesday morning to unveil designs for the new space on the second floor of its building in midtown Manhattan, with construction to begin in July.
He also announced plans to hire new journalists and content creators across all Fox News platforms.
“This is a major investment in the future of Fox News and a sign of my unwavering confidence,” Murdoch told employees.
Murdoch otherwise sidestepped the legal and personnel issues that have roiled the network since Ailes’ ouster last summer amid accusations of sexual harassment.
In addition to Ailes, in the last month Fox News has announced the departure of top-rated prime-time host Bill O’Reilly and co-president Bill Shine amid mounting lawsuits over sexual harassment.
Shine has not been accused of sexual harassment himself, but he has been named in several lawsuits for allegations related to harassment or racial discrimination at the network for his knowledge of indiscretions and alleged involvement in punishing those filed complaints.
Shine, an Ailes protege who had been regarded as a key member of the old regime at Fox News and was promoted last summer alongside Jack Abernethy, has denied all allegations against him.
“We are committed to ensuring the entire team here has all the necessary resources to continue keeping us ahead of the competition as we invest in the future of Fox News,” President of Programming Suzanne Scott told staffers on Wednesday.