The Kelly Effect
By BECCA CROSS
On January 3, 2017, Megyn Kelly divulged on her show “The Kelly File” that it would come to an abrupt end. Kelly displayed gratitude to her superiors, colleagues, and supporters. It was a seemingly amicable separation from Fox News as she confessed she will transition to NBC News to continue her enterprising and flourishing career.
In April 2017, it was concluded that Megyn Kelly left in part due to sexual harassment in the workplace. Kelly alleged that her superior advisors relished in making unwanted or uncalled for advances towards Kelly. Kelly released a novel describing the allegations and divulged behind the scenes knowledge of her troubled time at Fox News spanning several years.
Kelly’s remarks were considered unfounded, fictitious, and accusatory by Fox News. Several Fox News employees have negatively reacted to Megyn’s accusations, most notably, Bill O'Reilly as he claimed on The O’Reilly Factor, “Look, it’s open season. Let’s whack the Fox News Channel. I’ve had enough of it. It’s a good place to work. All right.” Bill O’Reilly later stated on The O’Reilly Factor that “If you don’t like what’s happening in the workplace, go to human resources or leave.”
Megyn Kelly has been considered a feminine pioneer as she stood in the dark standing ground against years of abuse meanwhile being publicly, legally, and verbally attacked by the media. Kelly’s leave has triggered a prompt response and action against sexual harassment in the workplace.
According to Mark Hensch of The Hill, other Fox News “allies left the network in July amid several several sexual harassment claims.” Also, former anchor Gretchen Carlson has filed a lawsuit against the successful broadcasting network. Not only has Megyn Kelly’s atrocious story provided a platform for women to voice their experiences with the issue, but it has also provided comfortability for other women to speak out.
Works Cited
Hensch, Mark. “Megyn Kelly Left Fox News in Part Due to O’Reilly: Report.” The Hill, 14 Apr. 2017, thehill.com/homenews/news/328949-megyn-kelly-left-fox-in-part-due-to-oreilly-report. Accessed 30 Oct. 2017.
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Kelly, Megyn, host. “Megyn Kelly: I Will Be Leaving Fox News.” The Kelly File, hosted by Megyn Kelly, Fox News, 3 Jan. 2017.
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The O’Reilly Factor. Hosted by Bill O’Reilly, Fox News, 2017.