A longtime Fox News contributor who is openly gay issued a strong defense for her network yesterday against a Gawker story that reported Shepard Smith was stopped from revealing his sexuality by Fox News executives.
Ellen Ratner, who is the bureau chief of Talk Radio News Service, and has contributed to Fox for almost 17 years, issued a strong denouncement of Gawker’s story.
“My life partner Cholene and I have known Roger Ailes and Bill Shine for close to 20 years. We have been to their homes and Bill Shine and his family have been to ours. Countless times Roger Ailes and Fox News have supported our charities and nonprofit organizations.
AdvertisementThe allegations put forth yesterday on Gawker regarding my Fox News colleagues are disgusting. I proudly stand by them both personally and professionally, and vouch for their honor and character.
Ratner went even further, telling TVNewser:
“I have been at Fox News Channel for 16 1/2 years. I have always felt comfortable being “out” and have always felt I had the respect of anchors, management, the newsroom, producers, make-up artists and all concerned. I love the place and could not imagine being happier anywhere.”