From the very beginning of Fox News Shepard Smith has been a key part, and one of its most important journalistic assets.
In a shocking turn of events that stunned the media industry, Smith announced his departure from the network after more than 23 years this afternoon.
Smith’s departure follows a report that he was warned last month by Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott and network president Jay Wallace not to criticize the network’s evening anchor, Tucker Carlson, again.
Smith had said on the air that it was “repugnant” for Carlson not speaking up in defense of Fox News contributor Andrew Napolitano after a Carlson guest called Napolitano a “fool” for saying that President Trump had broken the law.
“Recently I asked the company to allow me to leave FOX News and begin a new chapter,” Smith said. “After requesting that I stay, they graciously obliged. The opportunities afforded this guy from small town Mississippi have been many. It’s been an honor and a privilege to report the news each day to our loyal audience in context and with perspective, without fear or favor. I’ve worked with the most talented, dedicated and focused professionals I know and I’m proud to have anchored their work each day — I will deeply miss them.”
Shep Smith announces that today was his last show and he’s leaving Fox News pic.twitter.com/JF28ub1js6
— Andrew Lawrence (@ndrew_lawrence) October 11, 2019
Fox News president Jay Wallace, who was once Smith’s producer, said in a statement: “Shep is one of the premier newscasters of his generation and his extraordinary body of work is among the finest journalism in the industry. His integrity and outstanding reporting from the field helped put Fox News on the map and there is simply no better breaking news anchor who has the ability to transport a viewer to a place of conflict, tragedy, despair or elation through his masterful delivery.”
Wallace continued: “We are proud of the signature reporting and anchoring style he honed at Fox News, along with everything he accomplished here during his monumental 23-year tenure. While this day is especially difficult as his former producer, we respect his decision and are deeply grateful for his immense contributions to the entire network.”
The network had announced in March 2018 that Smith had inked a new multi-year contract. “Shepard Smith is an exemplary journalist whose skill in anchoring breaking news is unrivaled,” Rupert Murdoch said at the time. “His powerful storytelling on both television and digital platforms has elevated our entire news gathering process.”
But the relationship clearly soured this past year, as Smith had regularly called out Donald Trump, members of his administration and even some at his own network for false statements.
Smith alluded to a non-compete clause in his contract that will prevent him from working at another network for 6-12 months, but hinted he was interested in another broadcasting job.
He could be an instant valuable asset for a network like CNN that is beginning to look beyond the Wolf Blitzer era.
The 3 p.m. hour on Fox News will be hosted by “a series of rotating anchors … until a new dayside news program is announced,” the network said.