Fox News Frenemy: What Really Happens When You Leave the Network

A behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of Fox News and the experiences of former anchors and reporters.

Margo Martindale and Kelly Wright, two of the network's most notable former employees, shed light on the exclusive, ultra-conservative environment that can both propel and hinder careers. After years of working for Fox, they departed to seek fresher prospects. With extensive careers in TV and journalism under their belts, both women share personal stories that reveal the stark realities of working for the 24-hour cable news giant.

Fox News, established in 1996, has made a name for itself through the dissemination of hard-hitting current affairs and spirited discussions. However, for the numerous on-air personalities who have crossed the threshold at Fox to venture elsewhere, experiences have ranged from rewarding to tumultuous. "The thing about Fox is that it's not just a news network; it's a brand with an unyielding grip on its viewers," observes longtime Fox News host, Megyn Kelly, who left in 2017. "When you work there, you become immersed in a particular way of thinking, which can be both refreshing and suffocating at the same time."

The decision to leave the network can stem from an array of factors. Kelly Wright attributes his departure from Fox News in 2020 to a change in personal priorities: "The demands and stress of working in television had taken a significant toll on my family, and I felt it was essential for me to realign my work-life balance." Although this was an individual decision, a deeper investigation uncovers a broader narrative. A 2018 piece by CNN revealed systemic problems regarding workplace dynamics, diversity, and employee dissatisfaction at Fox News.

A cursory examination of the professional backgrounds of individuals who have departed Fox reveals another concern: burnout. Margo Martindale faced her own set of pressures during her tenure with the network. Speaking candidly about the consequences she faced while hosting Hannity and Colmes and Glenn Beck Program, she emphasizes the importance of a stable environment and camaraderie among colleagues: "Working at Fox News during that time required not only a dedication to the craft but also the drive to constantly navigate the treacherous waters of opinion versus fact-based reporting."

For many, the departure from Fox News is tied directly to shifts in viewership patterns. According to a 2020 Pew Research study, Fox News was left behind by the majority of the population during the peak of its rivalry with the other prominent cable news channels. The shift was fueled by the ongoing controversy surrounding various high-profile show hosts, sparking further scrutiny of the organization's methods and content output. A segment from the ABC News article discussing allegations of media manipulation within the company suggests widespread unease about what it takes to get ahead at the channel.

Many claim that in order to grow professionally at Fox News, one must sacrifice their personal values to an extent. "I would not describe working at Fox News as being entirely conducive to free thought," explains former primetime anchor Eric Bolling. "It's often not about being right or wrong, but about being on-message and not rocking the boat." His departure was marked by heated battles with news anchors and his eventual dismissal due to unverified allegations of workplace behavior. This portrayal highlights concerns about the tension between staying true to one's principles and securing a spot in the highly competitive world of journalism.

While certain staff have experienced immense success and even spawned careers from their time at Fox, a number have fallen victim to these harsh undercurrents. Eric Bolling, citing the challenges of building a rapport within a highly competitive and often toxic environment, believes that the difficulties posed by working at Fox News far outweigh the possibilities: "It's an organization where every day feels like an uphill struggle to preserve what's truly essential in a democratic republic: the free and unbiased exchange of ideas."

Beyond high profile dismissals and public controversy, there are also less publicized implications resulting from working in such a narrow, often isolated sphere. As the Fox News environment is often one where conservative, right-leaning voices dominate, working for the network can sometimes make it more challenging for employees to engage with diverse perspectives and opinions in a genuinely open, unafraid manner. Such observations from former Fox staff illustrate the often-overlooked tension between a journalist's commitment to objective reporting and the demands of a specific network to emphasize their unique viewpoints.

To delve further into this matter, it will be beneficial to consider the distinct roles certain former Fox employees have since filled in the television world. As one former employee navigated the landscape of cable news following their time at Fox, they had to continually reconcile the tension between personal viewpoints and the constraints imposed by working under established networks. Kelly Wright, a seasoned on-air personality, recalls the specific importance of reeducating himself during his time off, which involved immersing himself in different ways of thinking: "After a prolonged period working at Fox, you sometimes sacrifice the ability to view issues through a multifaceted lens. This process of self-discovery was pivotal to readjusting to professional life."

When examining the experiences of the many journalists who have departed Fox, there emerges a striking realization. For some, shifting away from the network leads to liberation: a chance to rediscover a personal sense of purpose without having to cope with intense pressures that accompany daily work at Fox. Conversely, others will admit to retaining lasting, lingering ties with the nation's conservative communities as a direct result of their on-air experience and extensive professional development. This unique dynamic serves as a testament to the impact Fox News continues to exert upon the world of journalism.

Fox News, as an entity, has come to exemplify the complex world of television journalism. While no television network is alike, the network has proven that finding success can bring incredible heights as an on-air personality. However, as with any line of work, every step forward requires a delicate balancing act. For both Megyn Kelly and Margo Martindale, the network's rigid stance and the extreme level of dedication it demands frequently prove too high a hurdle for many individuals to clear.

However, Kelly Wright's approach to leaving and continuing his career in journalism reveals that the benefits of working at Fox News far outweigh the costs. He believes that the experiences he accumulated during his time working for Fox news remain invaluable assets in shaping his perspective as a journalist today: "Fox News will forever be a part of me, but departing from the comfort of the familiar helped me grow both professionally and personally. The reality that the field of reporting cannot always neatly fit into neatly defined boxes, allowing for diverse perspectives and a much broader view into our world, is a valuable skill I picked up along the way."