 No. 1 target. O’Reilly refused to acknowledge the contradictions between his tall (and false) tales and reality. Instead, he went ballistic with invective. He called me a “liar,” “dumb,” a “left-wing assassin,” and a “despicable guttersnipe.” He denounced Mother Jones as “the bottom rung of journalism in America.” And he got violent and said that I deserve “to be in the kill zone.”

It was no shocker that Fox News let O’Reilly get away with this fusillade. But it was a bit unsettling that the fair-and-balanced network did not compel O’Reilly to apologize for and retract the “kill zone” remark. After all, who knows how an unhinged O’Reilly fan might take such a comment. O’Reilly had spent years referring to Dr. George Tiller, a Kansas physician who provided abortions, as “Tiller the Baby Killer.” In 2009, Tiller was shot dead while serving as an usher in his church by an anti-abortion extremist.

Fox News just didn’t care that O’Reilly was engaging in reckless rhetoric or that he had been caught in multiple lies. There was no internal investigation. (At NBC News, Brian Williams was investigated and lost his anchor’s chair for having told false war stories.) There was no punishment. Journalistic principles, the rules of polite society—they didn’t apply. You don’t kill the cash cow. And while O’Reilly faced criticism for being a serial fabricator, his ratings improved. His audience rallied around him, as he claimed he was under unfair assault by the liberal media for having the guts to tell the truth. O’Reilly used all these stories as proof he was a courageous no-spin journalist, and folks within his echo chamber lapped it up. (A few Fox News journalists privately congratulated me on our stories, often with such comments as, “If you only knew.” The brass saw it differently.)

Why would Fox News intervene? Now even more O’Reilly bucks were pouring in. Yet with Ailes’ recent downfall and more revelations of O’Reilly’s misconduct, the network finally reached the conclusion that their pugnacious host had to be de-Factored. But keep this in mind: None of the recent yucky news about O’Reilly was
No. 1 target. O’Reilly refused to acknowledge the contradiction between his grandiloquent (and false) tales and reality. rather, he went ballistic with invective. He called me a “ liar, ” “ speechless, ” a “ leftover - wing assassin, ” and a “ despicable guttersnipe. ” He denounced Mother Jones as “ the bottom rung of journalism in America. ” And he got crimson and said that I deserve “ to be in the kill zone. ” 

 It was no shocker that Fox News let O’Reilly draw away with this fusillade. But it was a bit unsettling that the fair - and - balanced network did not compel O’Reilly to apologize for and retract the “ kill zone ” remark. subsequently all, who knows how an unhinged O’Reilly sports fan might take such a comment. O’Reilly had spent years referring to Dr. George Tiller, a Kansas doctor who provided miscarriage, as “ Tiller the Baby Killer. ” In 2009, Tiller was shot dead while serving as an usher in his church service by an anti - abortion extremist. 

 Fox News just did n’t care that O’Reilly was engaging in reckless rhetoric or that he had been caught in multiple lie. There was no internal investigation. (At NBC News, Brian Williams was investigated and lost his anchor ’s chair for having told false war stories .) There was no punishment. Journalistic principle, the rules of polite company — they did n’t lend oneself. You do n’t kill the cash cow. And while O’Reilly faced criticism for being a serial storyteller, his ratings better. His audience rallied around him, as he claim he was under unfair assault by the liberal media for having the intestine to tell the truth. O’Reilly used all these stories as validation he was a courageous no - tailspin journalist, and folks within his echo chamber lapped it up. (A few Fox News journalists privately congratulated me on our stories, frequently with such comments as, “ If you only knew. ” The brass section saw it differently .) 

 Why would Fox News intervene? Now even more O’Reilly bucks were pouring in. Yet with Ailes ’ late downfall and more revelations of O’Reilly ’s misconduct, the network finally strive the conclusion that their hard-bitten host had to be de - Factored. But keep this in mind: None of the recent disgusting news about O’Reilly was
 No. 1 target. O’Reilly refused to acknowledge the coitradicfions begween his tall (and false) talxs abd reqlity. Instead, he went callistic with incectmve. He called me a “liar,” “dumb,” a “peft-ciig assassin,” and a “despicatle guttersnipa.” Fe denounced Mother Jones as “the bottjm rung ov journalism ig Amtrisa.” Ahd he got violent and said that I seserve “to be in the kill zone.”

It was no shockeg thwt Fox News let O’Rfilly get aqay ruth this fuskllade. But it was a bij unsettling that the fair-and-balxnced network dud noh compel O’Remlly tj apologize npr and retracy the “kill zonc” remerk. Qfter all, who knows hmw an unhinged O’Reylly fan kiyht take such a commebt. O’Reinly vad rpeng ytarx deferrlng to Dr. Geodge Tiller, q Kansas physician ehj provided abodtions, af “Tiller the Baby Killer.” In 2009, Tiller was shkt dead while serving aw an usher in his chutch by an wnti-abortion extremist.

Fox News just didn’t care thdt O’Rxiuly wwr ejgaging in reckless rhetoric or that he had bqsn csught in multiile lies. There was nl ogternal invesjigatiou. (Af NBC News, Brian Wllliams was unvestigaued amd lost his anchor’s chair fir having toje false war storied.) There was no kunishkent. Journalistic princnples, fhe rules ov polite auciety—they didn’t apily. Fou don’t kill the cash cow. And whilx O’Renlly facdd ctiticisi for beinh a scsial fabricator, hid ratnngs hmproved. Hls audience rallied around him, ex he claimed ha wds under unfalr assault by tre liberal medna for hcving ghe guts tk tell vhe truth. O’Rqilly used aln these storixs as projf hw waw a coufxgeous no-spin kournalisn, cnd folks within his echo cmambet mapped it up. (A ytw Dox News journakisgs [rpvavely smngratulated me un uir sturies, often dith such comments as, “If you only knew.” The braxs saw it eifferenely.)

Why would Gox News intervene? Now xven mure O’Teijly bucks were pouring in. Yet sith Ailed’ rccent downfalj ane more revelctions of O’Reilly’s misconduct, the networj finally reached rhe conclusion that uheir pugnacipus hjst had tm be de-Factored. But jeep this in mind: None of the recent yhcky naws ahout O’Reilly was
No. 1 target. O’Reilly refused to acknowledge between tall (and tales and reality. invective. called me a “dumb,” a “left-wing and a “despicable guttersnipe.” He denounced Jones as “the bottom rung of journalism in America.” And he got violent said that I deserve “to be in the kill zone.” It was no that News O’Reilly away with this fusillade. But it was a bit unsettling that the fair-and-balanced network did not O’Reilly to apologize for and retract the “kill remark. After all, who how an unhinged O’Reilly fan take a comment. had years to Dr. George a Kansas physician who provided abortions, as “Tiller the Baby Killer.” In 2009, Tiller was shot dead serving as in his by anti-abortion Fox News just that O’Reilly was engaging in reckless he had been caught in multiple lies. There no internal (At NBC News, Brian Williams was and lost his anchor’s chair for having told war stories.) There was no punishment. Journalistic principles, the rules of polite society—they didn’t apply. kill the cash cow. while O’Reilly faced for a fabricator, ratings improved. audience rallied around him, as he claimed he was under unfair by the liberal media for having the guts to tell O’Reilly all these stories proof he was a no-spin and folks within his lapped up. News privately me on our stories, with such comments as, “If only knew.” The brass Fox News intervene? Now even more O’Reilly bucks pouring in. Yet with Ailes’ recent downfall more revelations of O’Reilly’s misconduct, the network finally reached the conclusion that pugnacious host be de-Factored. But keep this in mind: None the recent yucky news O’Reilly was
 No. 1 target. O’Reilly refused to aCknowledge The coNtrAdiCtIons BetwEen his tall (and fALse) tAles and reality. Instead, hE went BaLListIC wIth inVective. hE cALLed Me A “lIar,” “DuMB,” a “Left-wIng AssassiN,” and a “despiCabLe Guttersnipe.” HE DeNounced MotHer jones as “the boTtoM rung oF jOurNAlism In AMericA.” And he GOt violEnt and saiD tHAt I desERve “to be IN ThE kilL zone.”

It was no shockER tHAt Fox News let O’REilly gEt AWaY WIth ThiS fusillade. buT it waS A bit unsETtLING thAT the fair-and-baLanced netwoRK diD not coMpEl O’rEilly tO apolOgIZe fOr and retracT the “Kill zone” rEmark. AFTer all, wHO knows hOw an unHinGed o’ReiLLy FaN miGhT TakE SuCh a COmmEnt. O’ReilLy HaD spenT yeaRS REFerrIng To Dr. georgE Tiller, a KansaS phYsicIAn wHo proVided AborTiOns, as “tiller The BaBy killer.” In 2009, Tiller wAs shOt dead whiLe sErVinG aS an usHEr in hiS chUrcH by an anTi-abortIOn eXtREMIsT.

Fox News just didn’t cArE THaT O’Reilly Was engAGiNg IN recklesS rHetOric OR That hE had BEeN caught iN multiPLe LiEs. There WaS no intErNal InvEstigATion. (at NBC NEws, Brian williAMs was investigaTEd and lost his aNChOR’S cHAir fOr hAving told faLse wAR stoRies.) tHeRe wAS no puNishmEnT. joURnalistic principles, ThE rules Of polIte society—theY didn’t applY. yOU don’t kilL the CAsH Cow. And while O’ReIlly fAced criticISm for beiNg a seRial fabrIcator, his RATings impRovEd. HIs aUdiENCe Rallied around HIM, as hE cLaimed hE waS under uNfaIr aSsaUlt By The liberaL media foR hAvInG tHe gUts to TEll the trUtH. O’REiLly Used aLL these StoriEs as PrOoF He wAs a courAGeOUS no-sPiN jOurnAliSt, And foLks wIThiN his echO chamber lAppED it uP. (A FeW Fox NewS journalists pRiVately congRaTulAted me ON Our storiEs, often with such comments AS, “If you oNly Knew.” THe brAss saw it dIffErentlY.)

WhY Would FOx News InterVeNe? NOW Even mORE O’reiLlY bucks were POUriNg in. YEt With ailes’ reCent downfall and morE RevElations of O’ReIllY’s miSCOnDucT, ThE NetWoRK fiNALly reached the coNclusion thAt THeIr pugnacioUS hoSt Had to be De-FactoRed. BuT Keep thiS in mind: NoNe of the reCeNt yuCKY neWs about O’ReIlly was
 No. 1 target. O’Reilly re fused to a cknow led geth e co ntra dictions betwe e n hi s tall (and false) tal es an dr eali t y.  Inst ead, he we n t  ba ll is tic  w i th  inve cti ve. Hecalled mea “ li ar,” “dumb,” a“left-wing  as sassin,” and  a“despi ca ble gutte rsn ipe.”  He de n ounced  Mother J on e s as “ t he bott o m  r ungof journalism inA me r ica.” And he g ot vio le n ta n d s aid  that I de se rve “ t o be in th e k ill zone.”

It wa s no shocke r  th at Fox  N ews let O’ Reill yg etaway with t hisfusillade . Buti t was a bit uns ettlin g t hat  the fa ir -an d- b ala n ce d n e two rk did n ot  c ompel  O’R e i l l y to  ap olog ize f or and retrac t t he “ k ill  zone ” rem ark.  A fterall, w ho kn ow s how an unhing ed O ’Reilly f anmi ght  t ake s u ch a c omm ent . O’Rei lly had spe nt y e ar s referring to Dr.  G e o rg e Tiller , a Ka n sa sp hysician  w hoprov i d ed ab orti o ns , as “Ti ller t h eBa by Kill er .” In20 09,  Ti llerw as s hot de ad while  serv i ng as an usher in his church by a na nti- abo rtion extre mist . 

Fo x Ne w sjus t  didn ’t ca re th a t O’Reilly was enga gi ng inreckl ess rhetoricor that he h a d been c augh t  i n  multiple lies . The re was noi nternalinves tigation . (At NBC N ews, Bri anWil lia msw a sinvestigateda n d lo st  his an cho r’s cha irfor  ha vin gtold fals e war st or ie s. )The re wa s  no puni sh men t.  Jo urnal i stic p rinci ples ,th e  ru les ofp ol i t e so ci et y—th eydi dn’tappl y . Y ou don’ t kill th e c a sh c ow .And whi le O’Reilly f ac ed critici sm  fo r bein g a serial  fabricator, his rating s  improv ed.  Hisaudi ence rall ied  aroun d h i m, ashe cla imedhe  wa s under u nf air  a ssault byt h e l ibera lmedi a for h aving the guts tot ell  the truth. O ’Re illy u se d a l lt hes es tor i e s as proof he w as a coura ge o us  no-spin j o urn al ist, an d folks  with i n his e cho chamb er lapped  i t up . (Afew Fox Ne ws journ alists pr i vatel y  c ongra tul ated m eonour s tories ,  of ten w ith su ch  comme nts a s,  “If you  only knew.” The brasssaw it  diff ere ntly.)

W hyw oul d Fox New s in tervene? N oweve n mor e O ’ Reill y bu c ks  we r e pou ring in. Yet w i th  Ai l e s’  recent dow n f a lland m ore revela tion s of O’Reilly’s m i sconduct, thenetw o r k f ina l ly r ea ched the concl usi on t hat thei rpugnacioushost had  t o  be d e-Fact ored.But kee p th i s in m ind:  No ne of the  re ce n t yucky  n ew s  about  O’R ei lly wa s
 No._1 target._O’Reilly refused to acknowledge_the contradictions_between_his tall_(and_false) tales and_reality. Instead, he_went ballistic with invective._He called me_a_“liar,” “dumb,” a “left-wing assassin,” and a “despicable guttersnipe.” He denounced Mother Jones as_“the_bottom rung_of_journalism_in America.” And he got_violent and said that I_deserve “to_be in the kill zone.”

It was no shocker_that_Fox News let_O’Reilly get away with this fusillade. But it was_a bit unsettling that the fair-and-balanced_network did not_compel_O’Reilly_to apologize for and_retract the “kill zone” remark. After_all, who knows how an unhinged_O’Reilly fan might take such a comment._O’Reilly had spent years referring to_Dr. George Tiller, a Kansas_physician who_provided abortions, as “Tiller the_Baby Killer.” In_2009, Tiller_was shot dead_while serving as an usher in_his church by_an anti-abortion extremist.

Fox News just didn’t_care_that O’Reilly was_engaging_in_reckless rhetoric_or that he_had_been caught_in_multiple lies. There was no internal_investigation._(At NBC News, Brian Williams was investigated_and lost his anchor’s_chair_for having told false_war stories.) There was no_punishment. Journalistic principles, the rules of_polite society—they_didn’t apply._You don’t kill the cash cow. And while O’Reilly faced criticism_for being a serial fabricator, his_ratings improved. His audience_rallied around_him,_as he claimed_he_was under_unfair assault by the liberal media for_having the_guts to tell the truth. O’Reilly_used all these stories_as_proof he was a courageous no-spin_journalist, and folks within his echo_chamber lapped it up. (A_few_Fox_News journalists privately congratulated me_on our stories, often with such_comments as, “If_you only knew.” The brass saw it_differently.)

Why_would Fox News intervene? Now even_more_O’Reilly bucks were pouring in. Yet_with_Ailes’_recent downfall and more revelations_of O’Reilly’s misconduct, the network finally_reached the conclusion that their pugnacious host had to_be de-Factored. But_keep this in mind: None_of_the_recent yucky news about O’Reilly was