Corporate Communications Situation Analysis - FOX News

Amanda Penna, Alex Ruby, Sarah Teller, Nina Yanez

Introduction: As a basic cable and satellite media channel broadcasting in the 21st
century, FOX News is committed to the core principles of tolerance, open debate, civil
discourse, and fair and balanced coverage of the news. Regardless of biases, FOX is
known to its viewers as a news outlet where people can receive accurate and true
stories. However, FOX News has recently come under scrutiny for allegations of racial
discrimination and sexual harassment. Eleven current and former employees filed a
class action lawsuit against 21st Century Fox, Fox News Network, Executive Vice
President Dianne Brandi and former comptroller Judith Slater. FOX News official
statement is, FOX News and Dianne Brandi vehemently deny the race discrimination
claims in both lawsuits. They are copycat complaints of the original one filed last month.
We will vigorously defend these cases.

Other Sources: Due to the problematic nature of this case, multiple media outlets have
contacted these former employees covering this matter.

Variety highlighted the crisis indicating racial tendencies including, the black
employees of Fox News allege that they were subjected to arm wrestling white
employees for Slaters amusement.

NY Times states that Slater, mocked how black employees pronounced words like
ask and mother and asked some black employees, Who is going to Africa? after
President Trumps travel ban, according to the suit.

The Guardian emphasized the lawyer of the plaintiff's statement that subjected the
retaliation as, When it comes to racial discrimination, 21st Century Fox has been
operating as if it should be called 18th Century Fox, said Douglas Wigdor.

In a recent press conference, Kelly Wright, the only black anchor for the network, said
FOXs action were, indefensible and inexcusable within the talent pool of latino and
black reporters available. It speaks volumes (about) the disregard to equality at Fox
News.

These allegations and chosen words by the media speaks out to the public regarding
the issues at hand.

Analysis: Moving forward, we recommend FOX News release an official statement to

address the behavior of past employees. We believe, FOX should target their
employees, viewers and other reporters. Prolonging this situation will prove detrimental
to FOX News reputation, especially after the firing of Bill OReilly. This crisis has given
FOX the opportunity to rebrand themselves. If FOX wants to keep its position as an
outlet that upholds the core principles of tolerance, open debate, civil discourse, and
fair and balanced coverage of the news, then it needs to address these issues at hand
and reconfirm its ability to do so. Wright, a current news anchor at FOX, has expressed
to the media that the allegations of race is a national concern that should not be
condoned at FOX. With this statement, we recommend FOX move forward by
proclaiming the issue of race and stand by the notion that racial discrimination should
not be tolerated within the work force. FOX employees have insight regarding racial
discrimination, giving them the opportunity to listen and take a step toward rebranding.
CBS News legal analyst, Rikki Klieman, said that crisis creates opportunity and we
believe that this should be the driving force of FOXs next steps in communications.