In the Daily News today, more on Fox News chief Roger Ailes talk at the TCA, written by Marisa Guthrie with a kind of grudging fascination at what she calls FNC's "outlaw attitude":
Despite the bottom-line success, Ailes felt compelled to defend the journalism on Fox News and the network's "We Report. You Decide" and "Fair and Balanced" slogans, which in some circles remain punch lines.
"I actually think that Fox News is underrated in journalism," said Ailes, "and some people think that can't possibly be true. Fox News breaks a lot of stories. Brit Hume's work is unparalleled. Our UN Oil for Food story, which we sort of forced on the world, was fine work by investigative journalist Eric Shawn. Shepard Smith's Katrina coverage was terrific. This sort of journalism goes on day after day at Fox News."
Looking forward, Ailes said he has no major changes planned for on-air talent in the near future, although he stressed that nothing short of complete dedication is tolerated.
"Is there imminent change in talent coming? No," he said, adding, "but I'm looking all the time. I don't want anybody to get lazy and sloppy. You have to be intense about doing your job every day. If you don't want to do that, you should go sell insurance."
