Bill O'Reilly is labelled a 'sexual predator' and 'racist' by media watchdog group who eviscerate Fox News with edit of ad lauding his 'integrity' and 'kindness'

  • Bill O'Reilly's accounting firm took out an ad in 'The Hollywood Reporter' praising him for being named a media power player 
  • 'We applaud our friend and client Bill O'Reilly in recognition of his long career filled with integrity in reporting,' read the ad
  • It also celebrated O'Reilly's  'lifetime of generosity, kindness, loyalty & support for his many friends'
  • That ad was likely purchased before the release of a recent report detailing O'Reilly's alleged harassment of females in the workplace
  • Media Matters edited to say 'don't applaud a sexual predator' and said his 'pithy comments' were instead 'racy comments'
  • O'Reilly's 'lifetime of generosity, kidness, loyalty & support' are crossed out to just read 'nah' and under the comment on his 'many friends' are the letters 'lol'

By Chris Spargo For Dailymail.com

Published: 16:35 EDT, 14 April 2017 | Updated: 21:18 EDT, 14 April 2017

Tip of the day: Do not place an advertisement in a trade magazine celebrating the 'integrity' of a client one week after the release of a report detailing his alleged harassment of female employees.

Bell and Company, the accounting firm who is responsible for handling the $18million Bill O'Reilly takes home each year as host of his Fox News show 'The O'Reilly Factor,' showed their appreciation for their client in The Hollywood Reporter after the magazine named him to their list of the 35 most powerful people in the media industry.

The company purchased an ad to herald O'Reilly's hard work and character in that issue, two things that had come under fire by the time the magazine hit newsstands.

That is when Media Matter, the progressive media watchdog group, decided to make some edits to the original ad in light of the recent allegations.

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Mistimed message: Bill O'Reilly's accounting firm took out an ad in 'The Hollywood Reporter' praising him for being named a media power player

Mistimed message: Bill O'Reilly's accounting firm took out an ad in 'The Hollywood Reporter' praising him for being named a media power player

Edited edition: Media Matters edited to say 'don't applaud a sexual predator' and said his 'pithy comments' were instead 'racy comments'

Edited edition: Media Matters edited to say 'don't applaud a sexual predator' and said his 'pithy comments' were instead 'racy comments'

The Bell and Company ad featured a drawing of O'Reilly in a suit with his arms crossed and over the illustration was a note.

'We applaud our friend and client Bill O'Reilly in recognition of his long career filled with integrity in reporting, talking points, pithy comments,' began the ad. 

'[A]nd a lifetime of generosity, kindness, loyalty & support for his many friends and loved ones.'

The Hollywood Reporter did not respond to a request for comment so it is unclear when Bell and Company placed this ad or when the trade publication went to print.

Upon seeing this, Media Matters got out their yellow highlighter and offered some very strong edits to the text of the ad.

'Is this even him?' reads the first line, noting that the ad shows O'Reilly drawn from the neck down and there is no face to confirm the identity of the subject featured in the spot.

Next up is his crossed arms, with a line written in that reads: 'Why are you hiding Bill?' 

The word 'applaud' is underlined in the ad, with a note stating: 'don't applaud a sexual predator.'

And right after that the word 'client' is also underlined, with eh note: 'they're not advertising with him tho.' 

A notation is also made on the line about recognizing O'Reilly's long career that reads: 'hopefully not much longer.'

O'Reilly (above in October) is currently on vacation

O'Reilly (above in October) is currently on vacation

His 'integrity in reporting' is edited to read his 'sexism in reporting' and his 'pithy comments' instead become his 'racist comments.'

Meanwhile, his trademark 'talking points' are changed into 'baseless points.' 

Moving down, O'Reilly's 'lifetime of generosity, kidness, loyalty & support' are crossed out to just read 'nah' and Media Matters writes under the comment on his 'many friends' the letters 'lol.'

It the end, it proved to be a very pithy takedown. 

O'Reilly said after the release of the New York Times report that his job made him a 'target', adding that he settled to save his children from distress.

He issued a statement that read: 'In my more than 20 years at Fox News Channel, no one has ever filed a complaint about me with the Human Resources Department, even on the anonymous hotline.

'But most importantly, I'm a father who cares deeply for my children and who would do anything to avoid hurting them in any way. And so I have put to rest any controversies to spare my children.

'The worst part of my job is being a target for those who would harm me and my employer, the Fox News Channel.

'Those of us in the arena are constantly at risk, as are our families and children. My primary efforts will continue to be to put forth an honest TV program and to protect those close to me. '

The O'Reilly Factor attracted an average of more than 3.9million viewers in the first quarter of 2017 - up from 3.3million in 2016 as the show wnters its third decade on the air.

It remains the most-watched cable news program this year despite the controversy, and is now being hosted by Fox News staple Dana Perino while O'Reilly is on vacation.

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