As Fox News’ legal eagle, Claffee oversees all contract issues pertaining to Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, Fox Nation, Fox News Radio and Fox News podcasts. She also recently took on head of compliance role for Fox News Media. That’s a lot to manage, but “inclusion” is all part of the package. “At Fox, inclusion turns on the principle that we are one team,” she says. “In practice, this means that each of us is seen for our ability, our contributions, and our potential.”
What questions is the industry not yet asking in its efforts to be more diverse and inclusive that it should be?
The industry has come a long way. But the next level would be to expand the definition of inclusion to match the broad diversity of our audiences. [Our viewers span the political spectrum: they’re urban, suburban, and rural; they’re of all ages and all levels of wealth and education.] Until companies evolve beyond what I call “checklist” diversity, I worry we could stall in our quest for true inclusion—which is to have our work resonate with, and our workplaces look like, our vibrantly diverse nation.
What does your company/organization do to ensure all employees feel included?
At Fox, inclusion turns on the principle that we are one team. In practice, this means that each of us is seen for our ability, our contributions, and our potential. While we do provide a wide range of employee resource groups, our company does not delegate the work of inclusion to those who belong to groups who have historically felt excluded in the American workplace. Instead, every employee understands that workplace inclusion is part of our daily responsibility to the company. It is all of our jobs.
Which current television show/s best embrace diversity?
I came from a finance, trade and commerce background before Fox, so I am drawn to how the Fox Business Network embraces diversity. FBN’s schedule certainly reflects race, gender and age inclusion. But what sets FBN apart is how it doesn’t just speak “Wall Street—it speaks to regular Americans about how important economic matters affect their personal finances. On the Fox News side, it’s incredible to see the network lead the industry with more women serving as anchors or hosts than any other cable news network, not to mention being the only major cable news network to feature a woman of color (Harris Faulkner) anchoring two daily news programs on television. Overall, I believe Fox News Media truly transcends the inclusion challenges the news, investment and financial worlds have long faced all the while delivering news to a diverse viewing audience.
