TVNewser has obtained a note that Fox News Channel founder and CEO Roger Ailes sent to the staff this morning. In it, Ailes writes about joining News Corp. 12 years ago this week with the goal of launching FNC: "The best things about those days were the positive attitude, team spirit, energy, personal sacrifice, cheerfulness, lack of complaints, kindness and a 'can do' attitude."

Ailes goes on to write: "But today, I sometimes hear too much selfish complaining, petty whining, and a desire to have what someone else has. Of course there are exceptions to this and we all know who they are, on the other hand do not assume I am talking about someone else."

He continues: "We work for a great company. We contribute to the most exciting profession in the world and we live in America. If that is not enough, you should note that there are no locks on the outside of the doors keeping us here."

A Fox News spokesperson confirms the note is from Ailes. Click continued to read the note in its entirety...

----Original Message----
From: Ailes, Roger
Sent: Friday, February 08, 2008 10:30 AM
To: 002 -Denver; 003 -San Francisco; 004 -Los Angeles; 005 -Washington; 006 - NewYork; 007 -Chicago; 008 -Miami; 009 -Seattle; 010 -Atlanta; 011 -London; 012 -Dallas; 013 -Boston; 014 -Jerusalem
Subject: A Personal Message from Roger Ailes to all Fox News Channel Employees

On February 6, 1996, exactly twelve years ago this week I walked into this building for the first time as a new employee of News Corporation to build a cable news channel for Rupert Murdoch. At that time we had no employees, no studios, no control rooms, no executives, no staff, no news gathering capabilities, no equipment, no programs, no stars, no male or female divas, no international operations and no perks. Also, according to the press, absolutely no prospects of success. We had to take on GE, NBC, Microsoft, and Time Warner simultaneously with fewer resources and we had just six months to create and launch the channel. Many good people joined me here, some of whom are still here today and others joined a successful channel as we grew. Many of you have made great contributions toward our success. I thank you all and Mr. Murdoch thanks you.

The best things about those days were the positive attitude, team spirit, energy, personal sacrifice, cheerfulness, lack of complaints, kindness and a "can do" attitude. That combination made us the #1 news channel in America and the most successful cable channel launch in American history.

But today, I sometimes hear too much selfish complaining, petty whining, and a desire to have what someone else has. Of course there are exceptions to this and we all know who they are, on the other hand do not assume I am talking about someone else. As I have always said, negative people make positive people sick. We need to remember where we came from, the opportunities we have and how this all started. Of course, everybody has the responsibility to better ones' self and should. Presumably those of you who came to Fox News Channel have done better here than you were doing before. We make a decent living. Many of us are quite comfortable. Some of us are famous. We work for a great company. We contribute to the most exciting profession in the world and we live in America. If that is not enough, you should note that there are no locks on the outside of the doors keeping us here. I would never want to hold anyone back. I decided many years ago that I did not ever want to work with unhappy people because life is too short and the first 100 years in the ground is just the beginning.

The Fox News Channel can now go on forever without depending on any single person. We all make significant contributions but the brand is the Fox News Channel. We have a fantastic network where risks are not only tolerated but encouraged.

If you are happy, your work experience will be fulfilling and your colleagues will like you. If you are not happy, your fellow employees will avoid you. My proudest accomplishment is being able to keep my word to Mr. Murdoch that I could and would lead the effort to build a fair and balanced news network. It is up to you to see that the dream continues. Some people actually find it easier to achieve success than to handle it well once they have it.

As I look back over the last twelve years and look ahead to the challenges we will face together in the next few years, I encourage you to recognize the opportunities that exist around you every day and understand that the four watch words of our mission statement still apply:

• Excellence; which you should require of yourself everyday,
• Integrity; without which respect is impossible
• Teamwork; which means sometimes it is someone else's turn. Sometimes you are the lead and sometimes you are in a supporting role
• And attitude; which means you live in your own mind. What you believe to be possible will often end up being possible.

----------ROGER AILES------------