Fox News let Bill O’Reilly go in the aftermath of harassment allegations. This is a decision to do what’s right, even at a financial cost. Fox News becomes accountable in that decision
Accountability doesn’t show up until a tough decision has to be made. Anyone can make the easy decision but when there is money at stake or market share or even additional work for everyone else it is easy to go down the slippery slope and not make the tough decision.
All of this comes on the heels of Roger Ailes, the founding head of Fox News, being let go last year because of sexual harassment charges. In letting Roger Ailes and Bill O’Reilly go they are saying that their culture matters. They are telling everyone at the organization that we don’t act like that around here. They are saying that they want their future to look different than their past.
Cultures don’t heal overnight, but making this decision is the start of something very positive. Fox News has the ability, if they do it right, to come back stronger. If they clearly identify their values, and then make sure that all decisions are based on those values, the culture will move from one of default to one of design. In the process they will create a positive place to work for everyone.
