Journalists covering the Republican National Convention expressed surprise over the news that Roger Ailes is reportedly negotiating his exit from Fox News due to ongoing fallout from a sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit filed by former Fox anchor Gretchen Carlson, with one saying his departure could mean “the end” of this version of Fox News.

In a chaotic series of events Tuesday afternoon, The Drudge Report splashed a headline on its website beneath its signature breaking news siren announcing an “Exclusive” that Ailes was leaving Fox News. The news was quickly confirmed by the network to The Daily Beast, only to subsequently be walked back. Drudge soon pulled his “Exclusive” headline as conflicting reports emerged over Ailes’ status. The New York Times reported on Tuesday night, “Mr. Ailes and 21st Century Fox, Fox News’s parent company, are in the advanced stages of discussions that would lead to his departure as chairman.”

As the news was unfolding, Media Matters discussed Ailes’ apparently imminent departure with several journalists attending BuzzFeed’s “Red, White & Blacklisted” party at the Republican National Convention (which was held to highlight the Trump campaign’s penchant for denying press credentials to critical media outlets).

“It means the end of this Fox,” said Washington Post writer Erik Wemple, who frequently criticizes Fox News for its coverage and regular ethical lapses. “But we don’t really know what is Ailes’ day-to-day impact to the organization, if his lieutenants can carry it forward. What matters to me is that they did this because of internal consideration, not journalism.”

Michael Calderone, senior media reporter for The Huffington Post, told Media Matters Ailes’ exit could drastically change the network: “We’re going to see probably a very different Fox News in a couple of years. You may not want to tear it down, but now we are imagining a future without him. It could change dramatically.”

Stephen A. Nuño, an NBC News Latino contributor and associate professor at Northern Arizona University, wondered if the network “may actually do news now.” He continued, “Fox has a business model that seems to work. If he leaves, I don’t know what that does to the business model.”

Daily Beast deputy social media editor Asawin Suebsaeng pointed out that “It’s so rare that powerful men are held accountable.”

Several journalists were skeptical Ailes’ likely departure would harm Fox News, though.

“He created Fox, but there are others who can continue that vision,” said Alfonso Aguilar, a political commentator and the president of the Latino Partnership for Conservative Principles. He added, “Fox will continue to grow. People don’t watch Fox because of Roger Ailes.”

One staffer for rival network CNN claimed Fox’s future success will hinge solely on the quality of its programming: “If they maintain the same mandate, they still will have the audience. If the quality plummets, they won’t. How many people watch Fox News for Roger Ailes?”

“I don’t think anything means the end of Fox, but who knows,” Shani Hilton, executive editor for Buzzfeed News told Media Matters. 

“Fox will go on; it doesn’t just die,” said Deadspin and GQ writer Drew Magary.