Roger Ailes, chairman and chief executive officer of FOX News, talked about the journalism profession and the political views of FOX News personalities at UNC for the annual Roy H. Park Distinguished Lecture.

Ailes, formerly of CNBC, began the talk with the disclaimer that he does not speak on behalf of Fox News, its parent company News Corp. or New Corp.’s Chief Rupert Murdoch.

“Anything I say tonight is my fault,” he said at the Thurs., April 12 lecture, and Ailes was not afraid to voice his opinion.

On the journalism industry:

Speaking at the School of Journalism and Communication, he told the room that journalism may not be the best industry to get into.

FOX CEO Ailes: “I’m assuming most of you are journalism students — I think you should change your major.” #AilesUNC

— Alex Barinka (@alexbarinka) April 12, 2012

“Believe me, there are easier ways to make a living” than being a journalist. #AilesUNC

— Alex Barinka (@alexbarinka) April 12, 2012

Ailes said the people that the industry is good for are those who like change and who want to uncover truths.

#AilesUNC: “Journalism has to act as a watchdog. Not a lap dog, not an attack dog but a watch dog.”

— Alex Barinka (@alexbarinka) April 12, 2012

On FOX News:

When speaking about FOX News, Ailes talked in-depth on how he has selected the personalities that make the news organization what it is.

#AilesUNC: “That’s my talent: picking good people”

— reeseNow (@reeseNow) April 12, 2012

Ailes said that many criticize the content of the network, explaining his thought that some don’t understand the separation between news coverage and talk show programming. Within the non-news coverage, Ailes said that FOX News hires personalities from many political perspectives.

#AilesUNC: FOX News CEO Ailes says there is one conservative talk show host, many liberals, some libertarians in non-news programming.

— reeseNow (@reeseNow) April 12, 2012

Ailes being interviewed by @unc students: “We have many liberals on @foxnews … Everybody gets to speak.” #ailesunc

— Gwendolyn Bounds (@gwendolynbounds) April 12, 2012

FOX News has sustained criticism, Ailes said, for adding another voice to the news-media landscape.

FOX News CEO Roger Ailes: “If there’s an alternative point-of-view, don’t wet your pants.”#AilesUNC

— Alex Barinka (@alexbarinka) April 12, 2012

On FOX Business Network:

Reesenews managing editor Eliza Kern and Steven Norton, editor-in-chief of The Daily Tar Heel, interviewed Ailes following his talk.

Norton asked how FOX Business Network, a newer business segment of FOX News and competitor of Ailes’ former employer CNBC, was faring.

FOX News CEO #AilesUNC says Fox Biz ntwk is breaking even at the moment. Says he doesn’t run any FOX biz segments in the red.

— Alex Barinka (@alexbarinka) April 12, 2012

On FOX News’ prohibiting the video of the talk from being live-streamed:

Upon a request from the journalism school, FOX News representatives refused to allow video of the lecture to be live streamed.

FOX News CEO Roger Ailes says it’s “good” that @reesenews couldn’t live-stream this talk, and bring up the #FOXNewsMole… #AilesUNC

— Alex Barinka (@alexbarinka) April 12, 2012

Ailes said he did not know the organization well enough and therefore did not want the video streamed. He then brought up the so-called “Fox Mole,”  a FOX News employee who began blogging for Gawker, and issues of privacy.

Related:

Roger Ailes: Soledad O’Brien Was ‘Named After a Prison’ (Huffington Post)

FOX News’s Week of Weirdness: How Roger Ailes Loses Control of His Own Story (New York Magazine)

Roger Ailes tells journalism students: ‘I think you ought to change your major’ (Poynter)

FOX News CEO delivers 2012 Park Lecture (The Daily Tar Heel)

Why Does Roger Ailes Hate America? (Esquire)

A Fox Chief at the Pinnacle of Media and Politics (The New York Times)

How Roger Ailes Built the Fox News Fear Factory (Rolling Stone)

The Elephant in the Green Room: How Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes Failed at Setting Up a Strong Republican Candidate for 2012 (New York Magazine)