Fox News anchor Shep Smith delivered a devastating rebuke to his former boss, Bill Shine, on Thursday.
Shine banned a CNN reporter who asked President Trump tough questions about the lies he and his office have told about pay-offs to the president's former mistresses.
"Journalists are not the enemy of the people," Smith said. "It's quite the opposite—our profession is enshrined in the Constitution. The Fourth Estate holds the essential job of your eyes, and often ears, and when appropriate your voice."
The Fox News host said that those who "degrade and belittle the purveyors of truth" are often people who "find the facts displeasing."
In the monologue, Smith said that after more than 20 years at Fox News he has never intentionally lied and that he considers journalists from outlets like CNN and the New York Times to be his peers.
"Please know this: I acknowledge many thousands of your complaints and protestations," he said. "Never have I personally misrepresented the truth to you. Our reports are checked and rechecked at the management level of this network. In the event I make a mistake, I tell you, and correct it in a timely and appropriate manner."
Smith said that "we are on guard."
Watch below.
