I am certain Mr. Williams will not have to live in a refrigerator box. He, like so many of these guys, is nothing more than a massive ego underneath a five hundred dollar haircut. Edward Murrow, Walter Cronkite and so many others who have served before would be outraged by what corporate America has done to the once honorable trade of journalism.
16
I can understand why Brian Williams once wanted to be a late night host. 10 million a year would be hard to pass up, even if it left a respected, competent, ultimately likeable guy as a news reader. I have found the evening news to be little more than a rehash of the morning news, and I was convinced Brian Williams would have agreed with me. I agree that he may have inflated his copter story to be more interesting on the late night circuit. I don't feel it denigrates the integrity of network news. Lester Holt couldn't be more competent. I will keep watching, but I will miss Brian Williams, and I truly hope he resurfaces in a new and more appropriate (for him) niche.
5
Brian Williams is a news reader/ journalist who has created a celebrity about himself with appearances on late night TV. His fall from grace was prompted by his own words in such a setting.
The world will go on spinning without him giving the evening news. Although, many are sounding like it is the end of life as we know it. All those who fell sorry for him might want to look beyond this fifteen minutes of shame and wait six months. Bet there is a book in all of this yet to come.
The world will go on spinning without him giving the evening news. Although, many are sounding like it is the end of life as we know it. All those who fell sorry for him might want to look beyond this fifteen minutes of shame and wait six months. Bet there is a book in all of this yet to come.
5
Brian Williams is one more victim of this despicable Social Network, namely Facebook in this case. Years went by without a complaint from the other helicopters' crews until they recently spoke out on Facebook, a very brave thing to do where anything true or false can be written, because they were left out of the spotlight.
Mr. Williams did risk his life when he traveled to Irak in 2003 while the heads of NBC and their viewers were asleep in their beds, and he was entitled to report as he saw fit at the time.
This whole affair makes me sick, when you have real criminals to report on, also supported by Facebook, by the way.
Mr. Williams did risk his life when he traveled to Irak in 2003 while the heads of NBC and their viewers were asleep in their beds, and he was entitled to report as he saw fit at the time.
This whole affair makes me sick, when you have real criminals to report on, also supported by Facebook, by the way.
9
Teaching quality journalism took a hit 30 years ago when schools began renaming their academic unit to "Mass Communications". That viewpoint is what blurs news reporting with entertainment.
6
And professional athletes and bad cops get off scot-free. Seems about right for the good 'ole US.
4
So much hate, for a man you don't really know. He goofed up, can any of you claim you haven't?
He apologized, was punished (severely IMO) and life goes on. Maybe, like Jon Stewart, he will take the opportunity to reinvent himself. Or just move his family away to Montana, or Colorado and do occasional guest shots on cable (Better Call Saul?).
He apologized, was punished (severely IMO) and life goes on. Maybe, like Jon Stewart, he will take the opportunity to reinvent himself. Or just move his family away to Montana, or Colorado and do occasional guest shots on cable (Better Call Saul?).
Here we have an example of a man who made a banquet of his persona ... and couldn't even swallow his own ego. I'm glad to be rid of him ... his shallow presentation .. is weak wisdom didn't nourish us.
3
NBC's way out is to replace him as Managing Editor, but let him return as Anchor. He can't lead an organization whose sole purpose is to separate fact from fiction, but he can read from a teleprompter.
1
Whoever is jealous of Brian Williams is because he is NOT fat, ugly and ignorant, like most people these days. He is HANDSOME and SMART!!!
This is the United States of Witch Hunt/The United States of Envy/The United States of Euphemisms.
So sad, so pathetic.
This is the United States of Witch Hunt/The United States of Envy/The United States of Euphemisms.
So sad, so pathetic.
6
When Jon Friedman celebrated Williams' ascent to network anchor on Marketwatch, I wrote him to say that I thought he would be better suited to Comedy Central having seen him emcee a few ad industry functions--more like a standup comedian than a journalist. After watching him on Nightly News for a while, I finally came to the conclusion that he would rather be an entertainer/celebrity than a true journalist, better suited to Comedy Central. Lester Holt deserves the Nightly News job--he has integrity and a strong journalistic background. Another solution is to put Jon Stewart on the Nightly News and give Brian hosting duties on the Daily Show. Everyone wins! I don't see any way for Brian to climb out of this hole and stay with NBC.
4
HEADLINE:
10 million dollar a year employee gets spanked. 6 months later he writes a book with an advance of $20 million.
Next headline: 6 months plus one day later BW returns triumphantly to a new career.
Why do we care?
Politicians misrepresent all the time.
Wouldn't it be great to have Jon Stewart take over The NBC Nightly News?
Commercial news is all theater anyway, nowadays.
What would Chet Huntley and David Brinkley think?
10 million dollar a year employee gets spanked. 6 months later he writes a book with an advance of $20 million.
Next headline: 6 months plus one day later BW returns triumphantly to a new career.
Why do we care?
Politicians misrepresent all the time.
Wouldn't it be great to have Jon Stewart take over The NBC Nightly News?
Commercial news is all theater anyway, nowadays.
What would Chet Huntley and David Brinkley think?
5
Look after six months we wont even recognize him.
Maybe the public will have had a facelift by then.
We all will have NEW LIVES>
Maybe the public will have had a facelift by then.
We all will have NEW LIVES>
1
I am a Vietnam Veteran and although I am sad that Brian expanded on his experience in the war zone, I do not believe that he intended to harm anyone or to make himself look braver or like a hero. His intent was only to retell a story about a mission that he was on in a war zone---to again thank the troops that were there to protect him. I'm sure that Brian was scared to death at the time---and so he expanded on the story a bit. A 6 month suspension is way way over board. How many of you in your lifetimes have told a story and used a little literary exaggeration? I do not always agree with NBC's viewpoint on the news, but Brian's delivery is always good and well intended.
11
How about Jeff Daniels for the anchor job. I loved watcing him in Newsroom.
5
New York magazine is now reporting that the lawyers for NBC have presented Williams with a "dossier of his lies" and that they are also investigating his expense reports.
6
This is incorrect New York Magazine is not reporting this NOW. It reported this information yesterday, February 10, in the Media Daily Intelligencer.
1
Mr. Williams lied plain and simple. He will be forgiven, eventually, because that's what we do. What won't be so easily forgiven are those foolish attempts by many reporters, including many from the NYTs, that won't call Mr. Williams's lie a lie. Untruth, exaggeration, embellishment, etc., please.
5
I always found Brian Williams' reporting incredibly boring. Given the seriousness of the world situation his laid back, dull approach was almost more than I could bear -- and I frequently turned the channel to another news source. Also his going on entertainment shows seems appalling.
4
Considering that it is a known fact that the Mass Media is not objective . they outright LIE , twist , distort and omit certain FACTS , why was he punished ?
3
I fail to see this as a serious offense, and I'm puzzled about the concept of "trust" in a TV news anchor. Do we really rely on these people to be informed today? By the time the evening news comes on I've already heard these stories. I choose the most likable TV personality to introduce pieces, strike a suitable tone, and make clever comments. It's soothing, it ties things together. But good heavens, we accept a channel called "Fox News," and they simply make stuff up. There is no reason for Brian to go anywhere.
But if NBC must punish him temporarily, why 6 months? If this was a serious offense, he should be fired. What will change in 6 months? But if he has to go, two words: Tamron Hall. She’s beautiful, smart, and has a very professional style.
But if NBC must punish him temporarily, why 6 months? If this was a serious offense, he should be fired. What will change in 6 months? But if he has to go, two words: Tamron Hall. She’s beautiful, smart, and has a very professional style.
Too bad for Brian. Although he will lose a reported $5 Million; so, I guess that he will have to make due with only the other $5 Million this year. Gotta tighten that belt, huh? What a liar. It looks like he has finally descended right down there with Geraldo Rivera--fake claims about getting shot at on live TV in Iraq, and the televised opening of Al Capone's empty closet.
http://thetruthoncommonsense.com
http://thetruthoncommonsense.com
1
As Brian Williams embellished his stories in one TV appearance after another, the production crew who were also present--in Iraq, Israel, New Orleans et al--
said nothing. And members of the military now reveal they contacted NBC about these false accounts and were ignored. Let's not cry for Brian: he'll probably get paid milllions of dollars in a buyout from NBC and milllions in advance for a book he'll surely write. And then there are endless cable networks who may come up with offers. The most admirable journalist in this sad mess is the reporter from "Stars and Stripes" who broke the story that many people knew about.
said nothing. And members of the military now reveal they contacted NBC about these false accounts and were ignored. Let's not cry for Brian: he'll probably get paid milllions of dollars in a buyout from NBC and milllions in advance for a book he'll surely write. And then there are endless cable networks who may come up with offers. The most admirable journalist in this sad mess is the reporter from "Stars and Stripes" who broke the story that many people knew about.
18
My issue now isn't so much with what Brian Williams did as it is with how NBC is handling the consequence. Lester Holt is apparently seen as just a utility infielder – "a substitute" to quote the network – instead of a suitable replacement. What, in six months Brian will once again assume the chair and Lester will be asked to once again retreat into the shadow of Saturday and Sunday night? A missed opportunity to reward a workhorse who seemingly has done everything asked of him.
4
I suspect that if the numbers hold up, Lester Holt may be Williams' permanent replacement.
2
Everybody forgets that 12 years after the Kennedy assassination Walter Cronkite said he reported it from the grassy knoll.
4
Perhaps. But Cronkite didn't have thousands of amateur blogger-journalists gunning for him. If one person says you're a craven and callow manipulator--they're just one kook with an axe to grind. But if half of the blogosphere decides to agree with him picks up the call--then you get GamerGate.
1
I don't see what Williams did as an issue or scandal.
He works for a major news network. Expecting Williams, Rather, or any other MSM anchor not to lie is kind of like expecting a comedian not to curse.
Its just what he does. Its his job.
Let him get back to it immediately.
4
Brian is a babe ..a good looking guy with a silver tongue. But he just reads the news..he is a talking head. I really think a talking monkey might do a better job. Much ado about nothing. I love Lester Holt. He is clear,concise and do not have any of the baggage of Brian.
3
First, you don't forget or miss remember getting shot down. I've been shot down twice, and I don't miss remember anything about it. It's as clear as the day it happened, in 1970 and 1971. Second, if you have been hit by an RPG, your wife would have a a bag of you, not you. Step down and stay down. You of all people don't need to lead anything, anymore.
The problem with remembering is you always remember, when you're talking to people, when you have a quiet moment that others think you are cherishing something wonderful, when you hope it will never resurface, its there. Go away.
The problem with remembering is you always remember, when you're talking to people, when you have a quiet moment that others think you are cherishing something wonderful, when you hope it will never resurface, its there. Go away.
5
Janet Cooke ruined.Jason Blair ruined.Brian Williams 6 months without pay.Can he apply for unemployment insurance?
1
Stephen Glass, in 1988, fabricated entertaining stories for The New Republic, was fired, and banished from journalism. Now, 16 years later, Mr Glass has become a lawyer. And the state of California where he resides, is still punishing him for dishonest journalism when he was a young man. California has refused him admission to the bar on the grounds that he has not proved that his character has been rehabilitated.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-
conspiracy/wp/2014/01/27/stephen-glass-denied-admission-to-the-california-bar/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-
conspiracy/wp/2014/01/27/stephen-glass-denied-admission-to-the-california-bar/
Stephen Glass, in 1988, fabricated entertaining stories for The New Republic, was fired, and banished from journalism. Now, 16 years later, Mr Glass has become a lawyer. And the state of California where he resides, is still punishing him for dishonest journalism when he was a young man. California has refused him admission to the bar on the grounds that he has not proved that his character has been rehabilitated.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-
conspiracy/wp/2014/01/27/stephen-glass-denied-admission-to-the-california-bar/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-
conspiracy/wp/2014/01/27/stephen-glass-denied-admission-to-the-california-bar/
I find the criticism a little short sighted for an event that occured 12 years ago. He may have inflated the details to make himself fit the opportunity but he was THERE. Where were his critics? On a golf course, or on vacation in a nice soft resort? Maybe at conference discussing how to run the war? I doubt any of them were flying on a military helocopter in a war zone, intact or not. Mr. Williams is a news reader not a person who gathers the details and does the investigative digging. He does a very good job of reading the news so when he's done with his suspension let him tells us what the real reporters found out.
4
The only one punished is Lester Holt. Brian is on vacation and Lester has to "stand in". Nice going NBC.
1
Our problem isn’t that Brian Williams lied about his Iraq War experience. Our problem is that he was utterly unqualified for his anchor job.
Our problem is that NBC primetime news anchor never knew what the terrorism was. Our national problem is that even the White House has no idea what the terrorism is.
Terrorism is a random act of violence committed against a society as whole.
The act of terrorism was what the Italian Red Brigades used to do in 70’s and 80’s. Prerequisite for the terrorism is a lack of power, thus the terrorist acts are always planned and committed from the shadows.
However, the organizations or the parties that won the elections, have the power and control the territory should not be construed as the terrorist organizations because they have the popular support.
We might not like them or we might despise them but they are not the terrorists. We are fooling ourselves by giving them such a name and failing to assess the problems correctly...
That’s why we have been fighting “the terrorists” for almost two decades...
It takes a police force to arrest or destroy the terrorists. If it takes the US military, the most powerful fighting force in the world, to take care of the problem, then we are not talking about the terrorism at all...
Our problem is that NBC primetime news anchor never knew what the terrorism was. Our national problem is that even the White House has no idea what the terrorism is.
Terrorism is a random act of violence committed against a society as whole.
The act of terrorism was what the Italian Red Brigades used to do in 70’s and 80’s. Prerequisite for the terrorism is a lack of power, thus the terrorist acts are always planned and committed from the shadows.
However, the organizations or the parties that won the elections, have the power and control the territory should not be construed as the terrorist organizations because they have the popular support.
We might not like them or we might despise them but they are not the terrorists. We are fooling ourselves by giving them such a name and failing to assess the problems correctly...
That’s why we have been fighting “the terrorists” for almost two decades...
It takes a police force to arrest or destroy the terrorists. If it takes the US military, the most powerful fighting force in the world, to take care of the problem, then we are not talking about the terrorism at all...
NBC had/has an opportunity to change the landscape of how big business handles mistakes, not crises. There is a supply and demand/demand and supply issue here that needs much study and change.
I am not making excuses, I am separating what we expect and are asking someone to provide and what is doable on the up and up... We're looking in the wrong places for a perfect father figure, the Kennedy era reborn, perfection that is not attainable, and to mask what, I'm not sure.
Separating behavior from the person. is what is being asked of us. Can we do it? I think we should try.
He got swept up, we swept him in, the ridiculous sums of money got ratcheted, our expectations... sky high.
Why do we do this to each other?
We all mess up and I believe we are missing the boat once again. We helicopter parent the heck out of e v e r y t h i n g. Imagine if we identified with Brian Williams about something we are not proud of and we looked at it head on. Will we crumble and die or just join the human race and be one among many?... Something so badly needed.
Money is not god, perfection not real, placing anyone on a pedestal, a selfish act and huge mistake. This man and his family deserve more from us. People's lives are on the line. Dan Rather stood up, where are the rest of you? This is real life and I think we need to promote living within its vast confines, rather than constantly wrestling an anorexic, impoverished one to the ground.
I am not making excuses, I am separating what we expect and are asking someone to provide and what is doable on the up and up... We're looking in the wrong places for a perfect father figure, the Kennedy era reborn, perfection that is not attainable, and to mask what, I'm not sure.
Separating behavior from the person. is what is being asked of us. Can we do it? I think we should try.
He got swept up, we swept him in, the ridiculous sums of money got ratcheted, our expectations... sky high.
Why do we do this to each other?
We all mess up and I believe we are missing the boat once again. We helicopter parent the heck out of e v e r y t h i n g. Imagine if we identified with Brian Williams about something we are not proud of and we looked at it head on. Will we crumble and die or just join the human race and be one among many?... Something so badly needed.
Money is not god, perfection not real, placing anyone on a pedestal, a selfish act and huge mistake. This man and his family deserve more from us. People's lives are on the line. Dan Rather stood up, where are the rest of you? This is real life and I think we need to promote living within its vast confines, rather than constantly wrestling an anorexic, impoverished one to the ground.
2
This is really sad. Mr. Williams obviously made a terrific error in judgement. However, anyone who watches the Nightly News, or any other network news broadcast, or has seen the firing of competent journalists like Ann Curry and David Gregory, know that the corporate office is mostly interested in ratings and entertainment. The corporate masters who likely encouraged the celebrity that Mr. Williams enjoyed are now supposedly horrified by this error in judgement. No - they really just want to protect their "brand" and profits.
For real news, I turn to PBS Newshour, or the BBC World Service, not a network nightly news broadcast.
For real news, I turn to PBS Newshour, or the BBC World Service, not a network nightly news broadcast.
8
Let me tell you how Brian Williams really betrayed America.
Al Qaeda was a terrorist organization. Never won the elections, never held the power, never had the popular support.
They committed a terrorist act against America on the 9/11/2001.
Thousands of the civilians died.
The key objective was to prevent our government from changing our traditional foreign policy due to an isolated act of terrorism. The most important goal was not to overreact to the provocation and not to change our national course due to the actions of a handful of individuals. If you let Osama bin Laden and Al Zawahiri singlehandedly change our national course, then you provided them with an undeserved clout and local influence and you bestowed an enormous importance upon the Al Qaeda.
If the American government overreacted, no wonder that some local Arabs did the same thing.
The most important objective that Brian Williams and our free press were supposed to accomplish was to point out that our government shouldn’t make a sign of equation between Afghanistan (a non-Arab country) and a miniscule terrorist organization of the Sunni Arabs with radical Wahhabi worldviews. Our journalists should have pointed to the American public too that Saddam Hussein, a secular dictator with backing of socialist Baath Party had nothing in common with radical Wahhabis religious fundamentalism of Al Qaeda...
The truly free press would prevent us from waging two unnecessary wars.
Al Qaeda was a terrorist organization. Never won the elections, never held the power, never had the popular support.
They committed a terrorist act against America on the 9/11/2001.
Thousands of the civilians died.
The key objective was to prevent our government from changing our traditional foreign policy due to an isolated act of terrorism. The most important goal was not to overreact to the provocation and not to change our national course due to the actions of a handful of individuals. If you let Osama bin Laden and Al Zawahiri singlehandedly change our national course, then you provided them with an undeserved clout and local influence and you bestowed an enormous importance upon the Al Qaeda.
If the American government overreacted, no wonder that some local Arabs did the same thing.
The most important objective that Brian Williams and our free press were supposed to accomplish was to point out that our government shouldn’t make a sign of equation between Afghanistan (a non-Arab country) and a miniscule terrorist organization of the Sunni Arabs with radical Wahhabi worldviews. Our journalists should have pointed to the American public too that Saddam Hussein, a secular dictator with backing of socialist Baath Party had nothing in common with radical Wahhabis religious fundamentalism of Al Qaeda...
The truly free press would prevent us from waging two unnecessary wars.
2
Hillary Clinton supported the wars, and I think the press took their cue from her. I'm also troubled how the press allows the current administration to bully, intimidate, and control reporting. The only journalist we have left is Sheryl Attkisson.
1
If I remember correctly, Brian Williams was thrilled that journalists were "embedded" during the invasion of Iraq, he among them. I found it nauseating that it was treated as if he were invited to an "a-list" event that gave him bragging rights. Objective, factual reporting didn't seem to be part of the equation.
1
Poor judgement on the part of Brian Williams and NBC. However, The lies and made up stories told to Americans about the wars we're still engaged in by our government is much more disturbing to me than one news anchor embellishing his experience. Our country cares more about celebrities, including Williams, than real issues that need to be addressed. It's very naiive to think we're always hearing the truth on the news . Personally, I watch PBS news, no commercials and long time respected women anchors with a lot of emphasis on the story and not glamour.
6
Was it hubris and that led led him to inflate and mislead on such an important assignment - sadly we can only speculate, but Williams career, even if it survives will always be tainted by this episode. At least he had the decency to apologize.
Mr. Williams's failure to resign immediately on revealing his falsehood has worked against him and the network. Had he done so, the burden would have shifted against those who subsequently demanded his resignation, the story's emphasis would have shifted, and his chances of being eventually rehabilitated, whether by NBC or some other network or station, would have been improved. The lesson here is that if you're going to make a public confession of wrongdoing, impose the penalty on yourself rather than leaving it to others, including the mob that will inevitably want your scalp.
2
Please....not Matt Lauer
5
Speaking of self-aggrandizement, did anyone besides me think his segment on his daughter the actress (something about Peter Pan) was a lapse of editorial judgement? Network news? Really? Stomach-turning, yes.
5
OK, so here's an epiphany: Brian Williams seems to favor the entertainment side of the business. He enjoys comedy; he showed an interest in the Tonight Show; he understands the news. He should reslolve his split personality by applying for the soon-to-be-available hosting slot on the Daily Show. If his personal politics should happen to align with the show's audience, he would be a natural!
1
I remember Brian when he was a local news broadcaster in New York City some 30 years ago (on channel 7 as I recall). He struck me then as a privileged brat, more concerned about appearances than fact fomenting.
2
Suspension? Not Enough!! A summary Firing should be the least along with a never-coming-back journalistic exile. Also, NBC should file a lawsuit for their lost credibility and get recompense for their monetary losses and back-pay during his charade as a hero. Betraying public trust should have a stiff penalty.
1
If betraying public trust was penalized, the first to accept the penalties, should be the originators of lies about Iraq, Bush and Cheney.
1
Let he without sin cast the first stone. Maybe Brian Williams could donate to a needy charity and do some volunteer work in NYC. There are so many worthwhile causes and people who are hurting who would love his assistance. I feel sorry for him as he is being attacked from all sides. I think he can redeem himself and wish the best to Mr. Williams and his family.
2
We're a forgiving people. That, or we're easily distracted by the next big "story of the week".
BW will go away for six months, feel bad and embarrassed, NBC will bring him back, there will be a press storm the initial week, then we'll all go about our business again, BW back in his seat, 12 million viewers in front of their sets, and the rest of us back to where we get our news from in the first place... "story-of-the-week" alerts on our devices.
BW will go away for six months, feel bad and embarrassed, NBC will bring him back, there will be a press storm the initial week, then we'll all go about our business again, BW back in his seat, 12 million viewers in front of their sets, and the rest of us back to where we get our news from in the first place... "story-of-the-week" alerts on our devices.
This is way overblown and should not trash Brian Williams' excellent career. Recollections of a traumatic event 12 years ago can certainly vary. The original report was news and was accurate. Chatting with David Letterman should not carry the same scrutiny or weight.
3
This seems extreme to me. Brian Williams does a geat job with the news. While I have nothing against Lestor Holt, I think your ratings will suffer. Bring back Brian!
2
Let's face it a news reader is simply a mouthpiece for the teleprompter. It baffles me how some members of the public attach some sort of star quality to them. Perhaps reading the news every night and trying to sensationalise it creates some sort of need for vicarious attention so they embellish their own past. I don't really know, but he lied and he knows it. Get another one in the chair and be done with it.
1
Finally! After thirteen long years, SOMEONE is being held accountable for misleading America about the 2003 Invasion of Iraq.
True, it wasn't a military commander who tried to minimize and contain systematic torture at Abu Grab by blaming it on low-level enlisted soldiers and "poor oversight." And no, it wasn't DoD a official who sent our troops to Iraq with grossly inadequate armor, nor a civilian planner who botched the ensuing "reconstruction" with woefully inadequate planning or preparation. Nor was it a State Department official one or more of whom somehow managed to lose BILLIONS of dollars from the Reconstruction budget, masked by such spectacularly incompetent recordkeeping that we may never know where that money went, nor what it was used for.
And it certainly wasn't any intelligence analyst or White House official who might be responsible for the remarkable failure of the war to produce a SINGLE viable WMD--or even any evidence that a program to build such weapons was actively under way.
Nope. The biggest story to come out of the Iraq War in 2003--the single event that finally sparked so much outrage and righteous indignation that it caused Americans across the political spectrum rise up in anger and demand justice--is that a respected journalist (who actually REPORTED most of those stories as they developed) now claims he doesn't remember which helo he was flying in nearly a decade ago.
Well done, everyone. Finally, the true injustice of our time is behind us.
True, it wasn't a military commander who tried to minimize and contain systematic torture at Abu Grab by blaming it on low-level enlisted soldiers and "poor oversight." And no, it wasn't DoD a official who sent our troops to Iraq with grossly inadequate armor, nor a civilian planner who botched the ensuing "reconstruction" with woefully inadequate planning or preparation. Nor was it a State Department official one or more of whom somehow managed to lose BILLIONS of dollars from the Reconstruction budget, masked by such spectacularly incompetent recordkeeping that we may never know where that money went, nor what it was used for.
And it certainly wasn't any intelligence analyst or White House official who might be responsible for the remarkable failure of the war to produce a SINGLE viable WMD--or even any evidence that a program to build such weapons was actively under way.
Nope. The biggest story to come out of the Iraq War in 2003--the single event that finally sparked so much outrage and righteous indignation that it caused Americans across the political spectrum rise up in anger and demand justice--is that a respected journalist (who actually REPORTED most of those stories as they developed) now claims he doesn't remember which helo he was flying in nearly a decade ago.
Well done, everyone. Finally, the true injustice of our time is behind us.
4
Oh, no need to worry, if LARA LOGAN could come back(very poor taste)cleavage and all, after THE EMBASSY HOUSE/Dylan Davies scandal, BW most certainly can. SHEESH, get real.
The press piles on Williams because they think if they belittle this guy, it will make them look better by comparison. Classic smokescreen.
"Look how much integrity we have, we think Brian Williams needs to go, he's done this country a disservice and disgraced the military." really means, "Look how honest we are, and how much we love this country and the military".
Who falls for this ?
"Look how much integrity we have, we think Brian Williams needs to go, he's done this country a disservice and disgraced the military." really means, "Look how honest we are, and how much we love this country and the military".
Who falls for this ?
4
Commenters have mentioned Fareed Zakaria's and Lara Logan's less severe punishments . The hammer came down hard on Brian Williams because his story involved things we hold sacrosanct : the military in combat and heroism under fire . He could not have chosen thinner ice to skate on while " conflating " .
11
I am so disappointed in Brian Williams. I have been a long time fan. I look forward every weekday night to seeing him report the news. But I think he deserves the 6 month suspension without pay. I really don't see how he will recover his credibility. But I am glad the network will have Lester Holt replace him for the 6 month period. He is a fine professional news anchor. He seems trustworthy. He may not have the "star" quality of Brian Williams, but he has a whole lot more! I'm hoping that NBC will keep him on permanently as the nightly news anchor.
4
I am not a Brian Williams fan; in fact, I am not a "fan" of any TV news anchor or journalist/reporter. To be a fan suggests that anchors like Williams are STARS. They are not. They are supposed to objectively report the news to TV viewers, and that is it. That is all I expect. When they lie on the job about what they are reporting, in front of cameras, they lose ALL objectivity and cannot be trusted anymore. It really is a simple clear cut, black and white issue. I will have no problems with NBC's newest choice as long as s/he stays objective and tells the truth. I really cannot stomach newscasters, anchors and serious journalists as comical, sparkling celebrities. Barf.
7
Finally! After thirteen long years, SOMEONE is being held accountable for misleading America about the 2003 Invasion of Iraq.
True, it wasn't a military commander who tried to minimize and contain systematic torture at Abu Grab by blaming it on low-level enlisted soldiers and "poor oversight." And no, it wasn't DoD a official who sent our troops to Iraq with grossly inadequate armor, nor a civilian planner who botched the ensuing "reconstruction" with woefully inadequate planning or preparation. Nor was it a State Department official one or more of whom somehow managed to lose BILLIONS of dollars from the Reconstruction budget, masked by such spectacularly incompetent recordkeeping that we may never know where that money went, nor what it was used for.
And it certainly wasn't any intelligence analyst or White House official who might be responsible for the remarkable failure of the war to produce a SINGLE viable WMD--or even any evidence that a program to build such weapons was actively under way.
Nope. The biggest story to come out of the Iraq War in 2003--the single event that finally sparked so much outrage and righteous indignation that it caused Americans across the political spectrum rise up in anger and demand justice--is that a respected journalist (who actually REPORTED most of those stories as they developed) now claims he doesn't remember which helo he was flying in nearly a decade ago.
Well done, everyone. Finally, the true injustice of our time is behind us.
True, it wasn't a military commander who tried to minimize and contain systematic torture at Abu Grab by blaming it on low-level enlisted soldiers and "poor oversight." And no, it wasn't DoD a official who sent our troops to Iraq with grossly inadequate armor, nor a civilian planner who botched the ensuing "reconstruction" with woefully inadequate planning or preparation. Nor was it a State Department official one or more of whom somehow managed to lose BILLIONS of dollars from the Reconstruction budget, masked by such spectacularly incompetent recordkeeping that we may never know where that money went, nor what it was used for.
And it certainly wasn't any intelligence analyst or White House official who might be responsible for the remarkable failure of the war to produce a SINGLE viable WMD--or even any evidence that a program to build such weapons was actively under way.
Nope. The biggest story to come out of the Iraq War in 2003--the single event that finally sparked so much outrage and righteous indignation that it caused Americans across the political spectrum rise up in anger and demand justice--is that a respected journalist (who actually REPORTED most of those stories as they developed) now claims he doesn't remember which helo he was flying in nearly a decade ago.
Well done, everyone. Finally, the true injustice of our time is behind us.
8
Hey, no big deal. You can see from the photo that his hair is thinning. That's the kiss of death for an anchor ... and it's the real reason NBC is concerned.
Maybe Sean Hannity will move over to NBC.
Maybe Sean Hannity will move over to NBC.
3
Why is Lester Holt being dismissed as a serious contender for the CBS anchor position? If the consensus is that Brian Williams wanted to be more than "just" a journalist, and Matt Lauer has never really been in the business of serious journalism, then Lester Holt is the perfect candidate. He takes a back seat to the news, as he should, and doesn't pretend to want to be a pretty face delivering the news, although he is a nice-looking man. To me, he is an earnest, hard-working, trustworthy figure who would never find himself in the position Mr. Williams is in today. My vote is for Lester Holt!
5
"This was wrong and completely inappropriate for someone in Brian's position." said DEBORAH TURNESS, president of NBC News, in an internal memo on the anchor Brian Williams, who was suspended for six months after exaggerating an account of a forced helicopter landing in Iraq.
I wonder if Ms. Turness has the moxie or strength of character to say the same thing in her 'internal memos"about political figures or others who may have influence over her job and who have subsequently been proven to have exaggerated and lied to embellish their stories. Bush, Cheney and a host others come to mind. Williams killed no one. American troops did not die as a result nor did additional thousands of innocent Iraqis.
Mr. Williams was wrong to be sure and censure may well be appropriate. But in the case of lies and exaggerations that result in manufactured and unjustified war, untold death and destruction., our media moguls remain ominously silent and no committal.
That too is something wrong and inappropriate. It is as much if not more of a disservice to the American people as what Mr. Williams has done. I suggest Ms. Turness should be promoting NBC investigations, reprimands and suspensions without pay or pensions for the likes of Cheney and Bush in the name of consistency and fairness.
I wonder if Ms. Turness has the moxie or strength of character to say the same thing in her 'internal memos"about political figures or others who may have influence over her job and who have subsequently been proven to have exaggerated and lied to embellish their stories. Bush, Cheney and a host others come to mind. Williams killed no one. American troops did not die as a result nor did additional thousands of innocent Iraqis.
Mr. Williams was wrong to be sure and censure may well be appropriate. But in the case of lies and exaggerations that result in manufactured and unjustified war, untold death and destruction., our media moguls remain ominously silent and no committal.
That too is something wrong and inappropriate. It is as much if not more of a disservice to the American people as what Mr. Williams has done. I suggest Ms. Turness should be promoting NBC investigations, reprimands and suspensions without pay or pensions for the likes of Cheney and Bush in the name of consistency and fairness.
4
What does "We're rooting for him…" mean?
And why was this done prior to the completion of an investigation?
Oh right…perception. I keep forgetting how important people perceive perception to be...
And why was this done prior to the completion of an investigation?
Oh right…perception. I keep forgetting how important people perceive perception to be...
I'm sure Lester Holt is perfectly competent, but he's not anchorman material. Given that Mr. Williams' conflated tale was told on LETTERMAN, shouldn't he get a break? His initial NEWS report was accurate in every particular; surely that contemporaneous virtue outweighs the vice of appearing on a late night show spewing hyperbole. Lighten up, NBC -- and Internet armchair qbs!
2
If I understand you correctly, lying is okay if you are on an entertainment program. I disagree. Brian Williams had a responsibility to his employer to conduct himself appropriately wherever he was, not to mention that lying about combat experience is at the least an insult to those who have indeed experienced it. This was not hyperbole, it was self-aggrandizing lying.
3
All humans make mistakes and unfortunately are all prone to exaggeration sometimes. If we want others to forgive our mistakes, we must be willing to forgive them. Mr. Williams has been on-point, informative, reliable, and trustworthy for his entire career and made this one public mistake with a completely human error. It is not deserving of complete career destruction. He has been publicly humiliated enough. It is time to forgive and move on. I will be terribly saddened if he is not back on the anchor desk in 6 months.
3
Hey NBC, Stephen Colbert is free for a few months. Colbert absolutely, postively, at least 90 percent of the time, won't forget that he was actually piloting the helicopter that was shot down!
1
The anchor era really ended with Rather, Brokaw, and Jennings. They came up as journalists, earned authority and could not be micromanaged. Today, the network anchors are products of constant research, focus groups, and network marketing. They answer to at least a dozen executives and gladly adjust their presentations, appearance, and approach to attempt to reach higher popularity scores and adapt to what researchers say audiences want. The result is all artificial. Anchors are now bad actors made of a dozen choreographed parts....unnaturally stiff and robotic as they try to hit the right notes for audience reactions being monitored electronically. Tweak the voice, tilt the head, adjust the haircut or color, emphasize the right words, and on and on according to research.
The goal is likability for the anchors and all other nightly personalities. A general manager told me TV stations research anchors in depth now to avoid what he called "polarizing" personalities. They want talent that makes viewers feel comfortable.
Unfortunately, when you manufacture a personality and story, like NBC did with Williams, he may go off script and make up new parts of the story on his own. That's exactly what happened. He did not stay in character and took his head out of the cardboard cutout figure of the anchor.....revealing something that doesn't fit the fairy tale. Some don't have happy endings.
The goal is likability for the anchors and all other nightly personalities. A general manager told me TV stations research anchors in depth now to avoid what he called "polarizing" personalities. They want talent that makes viewers feel comfortable.
Unfortunately, when you manufacture a personality and story, like NBC did with Williams, he may go off script and make up new parts of the story on his own. That's exactly what happened. He did not stay in character and took his head out of the cardboard cutout figure of the anchor.....revealing something that doesn't fit the fairy tale. Some don't have happy endings.
6
It is interesting that anchors are held to a higher level of honesty than are politicians.
9
I'm inclined to let the whole Helicopter issue slide, but not the fact that Brian Williams has become an NBC "sideshow". If I see him on Jimmy Fallon again playing "beer pong", I'm going to get sick. (Yes, I'm exaggerating). I can not imagine seeing Walter Cronkite on a similar show of the day. NBC News has pushed, prodded, and promoted the whole Brian Williams persona way over the top of a Network News anchor. NBC might as well move the Nightly News into the Entertainment Division.
I'd appreciate it if ALL the Networks would please return that "Chair" to, what I believe was the original intent, that of reporting the News in a concise, non-biased way.
I'd appreciate it if ALL the Networks would please return that "Chair" to, what I believe was the original intent, that of reporting the News in a concise, non-biased way.
7
I have the answer: you should watch Scott Pelley. He's the sort of stiff anchor you want.
I don't mean that as a criticism. He's a good managing editor and doesn't get involved in much else.
I don't mean that as a criticism. He's a good managing editor and doesn't get involved in much else.
1
Hope Brian Williams will survive his career in journalism in some way.
He made a huge mistake, but he has done honorable contribution to the American as one journalist. No? I am a legal alien and have lived here for more than two decades, but I often feel this country is very unforgiving. People are so harsh.
He made a huge mistake, but he has done honorable contribution to the American as one journalist. No? I am a legal alien and have lived here for more than two decades, but I often feel this country is very unforgiving. People are so harsh.
6
Require all NBC employees to go to Iraq, land in the sand and write 300 words on what just happened. This story has garnered a lot of ink, almost like a national inquiry. I smell a takeover of a tabloid, the experienced reporters are close at hand and gaining tabloid experience by the day. Here's an angle:
"Friends Say Brian Williams Less Handsome Now."
And by the way, "Dude I don't remember you on my aircraft" could have been emailed instead of Posebooked.
"Friends Say Brian Williams Less Handsome Now."
And by the way, "Dude I don't remember you on my aircraft" could have been emailed instead of Posebooked.
4
Lester Holt is absolutely fine for me. I don't need a celebrity delivering the news; I need a credible newsperson.
9
It seems as if we are missing the point here. It's the news, period. It's supposed to be true, and composed of facts, not fiction, no opinion included. Brian Williams' narrative was just that. It was an anecdote, not live, on-the-scene reporting. It really didn't have any place in the news at all. That's what we learned at the Newhouse School.
6
...we all make mistakes people. Sad and disappointing? ...yes. Should his career be over because of this? ...no. As for misguiding or sensationalizing the news for the sake of ratings, I think the entire news industry has a lot to answer for in that arena.
3
I don't get it - Faux News spews outright lies as "the news" with nobody blinking an eye, but Brian Williams stretches the truth and gets clobbered with "outrage."
14
We create these monsters through our expectations, they oblige by making theater out of newscast.
4
"Hey, remember the time?" How often has someone said that and others who were there at the time are surprised by the story wondering why the embellishments? Memories are very malleable and we all interpret events and shape them into our particular framework. Interview seven people who witness the same event and you get the Rashomon effect - everybody with a different perspective. Are they lying? Maybe, but it can also be explained from numerous rigorous studies in psychology that demonstrate memory plasticity. Brian Williams and everyone one of us is subject to this phenomenon. We would all do better if we considered possibilities other than snap judgments - like personal reflection and compassion.
5
I find it strange that we have lost a sense of balance about what has happened to Mr. Williams. His original video report that was filed from Iraq reports the correct facts, that he was on the second helicopter that was not hit. Logic seems to imply that his recent statements are from a lapse in memory rather than a purposeful attempt to fudge the truth. What is really disgusting is that Fox News Channel lies every day or at the minimun knowingly distorts the truth under the guise of "truth" and very few other than Jon Stewart take them to task. Where is the media outrage when Fox misleads, misdirects and lies as part of its daily "reporting"?
Should Mr. Williams be held to a higher standard than Fox News? Yes, without question. But this is a mountain out of a mole hill.
Should Mr. Williams be held to a higher standard than Fox News? Yes, without question. But this is a mountain out of a mole hill.
11
Enjoyed watching Mr.Williams' nightly news broadcast and am sorry he has received what seems to be a way to ease him out of broadcasting for NBC, it seems doubtful he can return to news broadcasting with such a long suspension in news' timing. I would guess that even those among us who lead an admirable, noble and conscientious life, have deserved a second-chance at sometime. I can only wish Mr. Williams courage, faith and the knowledge that there are those who hope he will consider the present troubles and then look to the future. The sun _will_ come up tomorrow...
5
Replace Williams with Jon Stewart. Even before his announcement, he was considered more trustworthy. And he is incisive and intelligent (whoops - that would probably disqualify him from being an anchor).
1
I'm curious if in fact he acknowledged that he (purposefully) exaggerated the story, or if he simply acknowledged that he related the facts incorrectly? I watched a compilation of video clips that showed him recounting this story over the years, and to me it seemed to be a simple case of interpretation....his copter was one of a caravan of four copters, one of which was hit, and then Brian's own copter was told to land immediately as a precaution. So I could totally see his saying one time 'the copter in front of mine got hit', and years later saying 'we (the caravan of four) were hit and had to land immediately'.
To me this is another sad example of the power and hysteria that social media can create, and to which modern P.R. teams must succumb.
To me this is another sad example of the power and hysteria that social media can create, and to which modern P.R. teams must succumb.
5
Ah but that is not what happened. Mr. Williams was not even in the formation or caravan of the helicopters where one was hit. His was traveling 30 minutes to an hour behind the one that was hit, traveling in the opposite direction. Though he later lied and said that he stared down the tube of the RPG that hit the helicopter and in another story claimed that he even saw the "farmer" launch the grenade .
The only reason Mr. Williams' helicopter landed ( at least 30 minutes later) was because of a sandstorm.
Please people: it's time to read the in-depth interviews with both the pilots of William's helicopter and those of the one that was hit,. All of them state that Williams did not tell the truth. And one pilot gave an interview today sayings that not only was Williams helicopter in danger, but that Williams spent the entire trip complaining about his cars.
Hard to reconcile this with Williams' srlf serving story to Lettetman that he was sure he was going to die after his aircraft was shot at.
The only reason Mr. Williams' helicopter landed ( at least 30 minutes later) was because of a sandstorm.
Please people: it's time to read the in-depth interviews with both the pilots of William's helicopter and those of the one that was hit,. All of them state that Williams did not tell the truth. And one pilot gave an interview today sayings that not only was Williams helicopter in danger, but that Williams spent the entire trip complaining about his cars.
Hard to reconcile this with Williams' srlf serving story to Lettetman that he was sure he was going to die after his aircraft was shot at.
2
Two words: Jon Stewart.
He is presently available and shows himself to be an insightful observer of world and national events. (Cardiologists across the country might see their business go up, however, after the brass would announce his name.)
He is presently available and shows himself to be an insightful observer of world and national events. (Cardiologists across the country might see their business go up, however, after the brass would announce his name.)
1
It's also possible that NBC found other disturbing incidences of Brian Williams' lying that we don't even know about yet and this accounts for the 6 months without pay punishment that I'm sure was hashed over by contract lawyers. Perhaps it's NBC's way of trying to force Williams to resign so they can save themselves some bucks. In any case this is a fascinating story as kind of a modern morality play or like the Shirley Jackson story "The Lottery" with Brian Williams picking the dreaded piece of paper with the black spot on it. Now he is a lightning rod. The anger generated by this (my anger included) is long pent-up frustration with a modern America that has been under the influence of political, media and corporate lies for far too long. We are sick of it and thirst for truth. I think this is the over-arching, bigger story. Just like the NYT's excellent current expose on real estate corruption. To quote a character in one of the great Ray Carver's short stories: "Dreams, you know, are what you wake up from."
2
If Mr. Williams is proven to have lied, your outrage will be justified.
As it stands, your anger is the result of a managing news editor who pumped up the men in uniform protecting his crew while embedded.
Only people who believe being shot down is some sort of heroic act (see John McCain), see Mr. Williams's statements as self-serving.
The authors of this piece had said here (and in previous related pieces) that Mr. Williams "embellished." They might be right in a highly technical sense, but I'm not so sure. Embellishing usually means catching a 24" fish when it was actually 8", or saving a battalion of men when it was really only a platoon.
What did Mr. Williams embellish? He made statements that lead people to believe the chopper he was in was forced down by arms fire. That is somehow a good thing? Perhaps it embellishes the danger he was in. But it certainly doesn't change the role he played.
As it stands, your anger is the result of a managing news editor who pumped up the men in uniform protecting his crew while embedded.
Only people who believe being shot down is some sort of heroic act (see John McCain), see Mr. Williams's statements as self-serving.
The authors of this piece had said here (and in previous related pieces) that Mr. Williams "embellished." They might be right in a highly technical sense, but I'm not so sure. Embellishing usually means catching a 24" fish when it was actually 8", or saving a battalion of men when it was really only a platoon.
What did Mr. Williams embellish? He made statements that lead people to believe the chopper he was in was forced down by arms fire. That is somehow a good thing? Perhaps it embellishes the danger he was in. But it certainly doesn't change the role he played.
1
The only serious, credible evening news broadcast worth watching in the US is the News Hour on PBS, which happens to be helmed by two female anchors.
6
Those who flew with Williams in the helicopter were confused over events as they unfolded. Williams picked up on what others said and embellished it. His story did not mislead views about the way the war in Iraq was going.
He is an excellent newsman and should not be suspended or fired. George Bush was not "fired" or "suspended" for telling the American people that Iraq had "weapons of mass destruction," when thety did not, and he knew it. This lie has cost thousands of lives, and more on the home front due to suicide.
Brian Williams is suspended while we are told lie after lie about the real situation in Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan etc. The moral compass is way off balance here. The tail is chasing the dog once more.
He is an excellent newsman and should not be suspended or fired. George Bush was not "fired" or "suspended" for telling the American people that Iraq had "weapons of mass destruction," when thety did not, and he knew it. This lie has cost thousands of lives, and more on the home front due to suicide.
Brian Williams is suspended while we are told lie after lie about the real situation in Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan etc. The moral compass is way off balance here. The tail is chasing the dog once more.
7
I am really tired of people comparing Williams to Bush. Williams works for NBC, who of course has the authority to discipline him as it wishes. Bush, on the other hand, worked for the American people, and to this day remains subject to their political powers and criminal laws for them to discipline as they wish.
For those who have been in a delusional coma since Bush left office, let me bring you up to date. For 2 full years after he left office, the Dems controlled both the legislative and executive branches of government. Consequently, it was well within their power to investigate or impeach Bush; they chose not to.
The cynics among us wonder whether that has something to do with the fact that, while it obviously turned into a disaster, when the Iraq war started, just about every member of Congress (including St. Hillary, but not Obama) was taking every possible opportunity to give speeches about how necessary the Iraq war.
So, bottom line: NBC can fire Williams, but not Bush. Get it?
For those who have been in a delusional coma since Bush left office, let me bring you up to date. For 2 full years after he left office, the Dems controlled both the legislative and executive branches of government. Consequently, it was well within their power to investigate or impeach Bush; they chose not to.
The cynics among us wonder whether that has something to do with the fact that, while it obviously turned into a disaster, when the Iraq war started, just about every member of Congress (including St. Hillary, but not Obama) was taking every possible opportunity to give speeches about how necessary the Iraq war.
So, bottom line: NBC can fire Williams, but not Bush. Get it?
6
Thank you!!!! This Bush/Williams analogy has gotten ridiculously out of control
2
When you Managing Editor is a liar, it calls into question the integrity of the entire network news organization.
It is well past time for Journalists to return to Journalism instead of being entertainers.
It is well past time for Journalists to return to Journalism instead of being entertainers.
4
Since we're only a little more than 24 hours removed from hearing about Williams' suspention, I for one am in no position to assume whether or not he's finished at NBC News. But, for those who remember what happened to Dan Rather at CBS, using the rationale that Brian Williams was as well-liked as Rather was disliked, are off their birds. Just as CBS punished Rather for the way he obtained and reported info on George W. Bush's military records, Brian Williams is no more deserving of a second chance for his "storytelling" on his reporting of Iraq.
3
Reputable news sources should limit their reporters and anchors to being objective observers of facts and they should be specifically prohibited from relating their personal anecdotes, either on their own shows or other venues, until after they leave their news jobs.
Allowing Williams to tell his war stories encouraged him to exaggerate and fabricate in order to build his celebrity status.
Allowing Williams to tell his war stories encouraged him to exaggerate and fabricate in order to build his celebrity status.
3
All this overblown foolishness over a bit of exaggeration by an otherwise long-admired, and honest, on-air news anchor; suspension, more accusations, et al. Strikingly, Sean Hannity of Fox "Newsertainment", who more than "spins" the news on America's top propaganda network, will be getting up , having a cup of java, and heading out again early from his million-dollar mansion to, once again, make mockery of real news reporting. The double-standard is getting clearer every day.
8
Hannity is the host of an OPINION show.Unlike NBC,CBS and ABC he makes no hypocritical claims of objectivity.Unlike the hosts of the broadcast networks Hannity fully discloses what side of the political spectrum he represents.Learn what a double standard is and get over the FNC derangement syndrome.It's childish.
1
All this overblown foolishness over a bit of exaggeration by an otherwise long-admired, and honest, on-air news anchor; suspension, more accusations, et al. Strikingly, Sean Hannity of Fox "Newsertainment", who more than "spins" the news on America's top propaganda network, will be getting up , having a cup of java, and heading out again early from his million-dollar mansion to, once again, make mockery of real news reporting. The double-standard is getting clearer every day.
3
Hannity is a commentator, not a reporter Why do so many people fail to understand the difference?
3
The preposterous idea that Williams could have replaced Leno is totally consistent with the deluded ego that misremembered his fateful experiences in Iraq. Vanity's a pretty self-destructive thing.
3
Commercially-sponsored media organizations live for ratings. People tend to watch the networks and programs espousing viewpoints with which they agree. That is what drives the ratings, whether the organization is Fox News, NBC News, CBS News, ABC News, CNN, or MSNBC, which is particularly good at pandering to its viewers and from which the more mainstream NBC News has reportedly attempted to distance itself. As such, most media outlets are biased from a given individual's notion of The Truth, a constantly-evolving perception resulting from each person's upbringing, current situation, education, and life experiences, with a strong dose of rationalization whenever cognitive dissonance threatens to rear its ugly head....
Williams will be back. Interesting timing on the part of Stewart, by the way.
Williams will be back. Interesting timing on the part of Stewart, by the way.
All right, children. What are the three big lessons we can take from all this?
1. Barefaced lies (e.g., about 'weapons of mass destruction') are OK; exaggeration (especially if, as a consequence, no lives were lost & most of the facts were correct) is unforgiveable. At least, as so many others are saying, it's nice that SOMEBODY is finally being punished for lying about Iraq; and 'truthiness' has its day in the sun, at last.
2. NEVER own up to what you did wrong.
(This really makes me miss the days when 'the coverup was worse than the crime.')
3. It's 'morning in America' for hypocrisy.
All throughout the truly frightening, barbaric, & almost universally anonymous reaction to Mr. Williams's admission--especially in this era of blurred lines between news & entertainment, and when an entire network routinely presents as news statement that scientific fact is wrong & President Obama should be blamed for absolutely everything bad in the world -- I haven't been able to stop thinking about two great lines from Casablanca':
"I'm shocked, shocked to find gambling going on here!"
"Your winnings, sir."
1. Barefaced lies (e.g., about 'weapons of mass destruction') are OK; exaggeration (especially if, as a consequence, no lives were lost & most of the facts were correct) is unforgiveable. At least, as so many others are saying, it's nice that SOMEBODY is finally being punished for lying about Iraq; and 'truthiness' has its day in the sun, at last.
2. NEVER own up to what you did wrong.
(This really makes me miss the days when 'the coverup was worse than the crime.')
3. It's 'morning in America' for hypocrisy.
All throughout the truly frightening, barbaric, & almost universally anonymous reaction to Mr. Williams's admission--especially in this era of blurred lines between news & entertainment, and when an entire network routinely presents as news statement that scientific fact is wrong & President Obama should be blamed for absolutely everything bad in the world -- I haven't been able to stop thinking about two great lines from Casablanca':
"I'm shocked, shocked to find gambling going on here!"
"Your winnings, sir."
7
Brian Williams made a mistake. I think the punishment is too harsh and will be a detriment to NBC news. Suspension for six months means the end of his career. He won't come back and it will be over for all involved. When as mistake was made by Farid Zakaria, it garnered one month and that was not conflagration, it was plagiarism, far more serious for sure. Stars and Stripes wanted the truth told and that was done. They never thought Brian Williams would be history. I am very disappointed in the NBC decision. It is too much. I want him back asap.
4
Just wait, the other shoe will drop soon enough. It seems safe to assume the NBC investigation is digging up more unsavory stuff which has prompted this decision. Probably the Nightly News staff has been talking to the top brass. The whole division is under scrutiny. And ABC has launched an investigation of its own. The 6-month suspension gives the impression Brian Williams, is, so to say, on "life support" - but they are more likely than not to pull the plug because there is more to his history of "false memories", untruths, embellishments, call it what you will. A surgical approach, termination, would avoid this matter from dragging on. Too late.
1
Why does Mr. Williams continue to say he 'exaggerated' his story? He didn't exaggerate, he lied. Call it what it is. It takes many years to earn a good reputation, but only one incident to lose that reputation. Mr. Williams deserves to be suspended.
4
Mr. Williams should come to terms with the fact that the American public will never trust him again.
Perhaps he can go on to do stand-up comedy. Or just gracefully and quietly retire to a golf-community.
Perhaps he can go on to do stand-up comedy. Or just gracefully and quietly retire to a golf-community.
4
That, I think, says more about the sad state of the American public than it does regarding Williams.
5
If you read the Times everyday and listen to NPR, why in God's name would you watch stale television news.
I haven't watched a single Brian Williams "newscast." I couldn't even tell you who the others are who occupy those network chairs. I know Katie Couric got fired, but that's about it.
That Williams lied about his experience "covering" an invasion of Iraq is about as stirring as candidate Clinton coughing up a complete fib about being fired upon by a sniper in the Balkans. It's self-promotion. Something both people have probably done most of their lives. It's what got them where they are.
Why would they stop now?
I haven't watched a single Brian Williams "newscast." I couldn't even tell you who the others are who occupy those network chairs. I know Katie Couric got fired, but that's about it.
That Williams lied about his experience "covering" an invasion of Iraq is about as stirring as candidate Clinton coughing up a complete fib about being fired upon by a sniper in the Balkans. It's self-promotion. Something both people have probably done most of their lives. It's what got them where they are.
Why would they stop now?
5
He has lost all credibility. And how he can turn that around n this business seems to be an impossible task. It's fine that he apologized. It would have been better if he had omitted the conflated bit. He was attempting to excuse the lie. Sure, he deserves another chance but he should try some other line of business. He is not alone in this. He has many other partners in this business.
3
The interview with Letterman was ambiguous at best. Mr. Williams stated he was in a convoy of 4 helicopters that came under fire from an RPG and AK-47 fire. I did not hear anywhere in the interview shown in the clip supplied by the NYT website where he stated his helicopter was hit. I feel this is much to do about nothing and obviously someone at NBC has an axe to grind with Mr. Williams
6
For gosh sake, Stop! I tune into one of the 3 network news shows at 6:30 Pacific time because I want a summary/w/in 16 minutes, of the days stories. Thereafter, I tune into PBS for an hour of great, in depth stories. Mr Williams, along with the other slugs on NBC (David Gregory, Chuck Todd) are full of themselves. Period. I would guess that at least 855 of us who follow the news on any level, could read the news as well as he did.
5
Of course this hiatus will allow NBC to tilt the nightly "news" even more toward a gossip and twitter feed punctuated by many more inane commercials... Real News RIP.
7
Right on target. Williams' central sin was the vain vapidity of an empty-headed pretty boy straight out of Broadcast News.
1
Brian Williams is a TV personality, who has lost credibiity as a serious journalist. Williams cannot return to anchor the news, but if NBC is looking to replace Matt Lauer as anchor of The Today Show, the likeable Williams may be a good choice.
9
News anchors stopped being reporters a long time a go. They are actors/actresses and are paid as such. Anyone who thinks a news story has more or less credibility depending on who is reading from the teleprompter is living in a bygone age, which may never have existed in the first place.
5
Could anyone imagine Walter Cronkite doing this?
Brian Williams made his bed. He needs to sleep in it.
When he returns to NBC they should station him in Iraq or Afghanistan or some other hot zone and let him report the news from there. He wants battle scars, fine. Let him earn them.
Brian Williams made his bed. He needs to sleep in it.
When he returns to NBC they should station him in Iraq or Afghanistan or some other hot zone and let him report the news from there. He wants battle scars, fine. Let him earn them.
2
I think this is the right thing, but NBC News executives are complicit. Their news was not number one because Williams was trusted, it was because of all the extra curricular activities which inevitably led to this point. They were okay with what they should not have been okay with because it got them ratings. Now that the result is what could have easily been anticipated (and was there in black and white) they are turning against him. Cowardly, more heads should role, but they won't.
Finally he should not be mentioned in the same breath as Cronkite, even before this expose.
Finally he should not be mentioned in the same breath as Cronkite, even before this expose.
5
What comes out, is that Mr. Williams got the story right right after it happened. In the fuzz of years, it grew, like a good fish story. Many of us have made this mistake. The people who really have damaged their reputation, are the people at NBC, who appear small, and fearful, and self-righteous. There were so many big, serious, damaging lies about Iraq, but exaggerating the amount of fire taken on a helicopter which took fire, 12 years later, is is small error, that just requires a retraction, and perhaps an apology. I am embarrassed for NBC. Mr. Williams will have no trouble returning to duty, with the people, who are forgiving, as sinners should be.
4
"In the fuzz of years, it grew, like a good fish story."
In what world is it OK to lie, so long as at one point in history, you told the truth?
Certainly not in the world of news.
In what world is it OK to lie, so long as at one point in history, you told the truth?
Certainly not in the world of news.
2
Williams' antics are absolutely sickening. We have been dealing with media bias for decades and now we have outright lies from a major network's star player. Journalism in this country is in serious trouble.
3
Dishonest overreaction to a dishonest anchor from a dishonest network in a dishonest field in fear of a dishonest public. Oh please, with the pretense.
Up with Brian Williams, whose aura of integrity is among the finest we have. He's an exquisite anchor.
Up with Brian Williams, whose aura of integrity is among the finest we have. He's an exquisite anchor.
2
NBC is making a mistake if it underestimates Lester Holt. He is a solid news anchor of the old school who delivers with an aura of integrity and rectitude.
No TV news group should ever let the anchor also be the news editor. Look at Brian's stories about his daughter, his Rangers game photo op, the "exciting news" about hiring a total amateur like Chelsea Clinton, and the release 6 months early of a trailer for the film Fifty Shades of Gray. What managing editor would ever call that news fit to broadcast?
I liked Brian Williams. But I also found myself alert in the last 10 minutes for an "Unkie Brian" off-key clunker.
No TV news group should ever let the anchor also be the news editor. Look at Brian's stories about his daughter, his Rangers game photo op, the "exciting news" about hiring a total amateur like Chelsea Clinton, and the release 6 months early of a trailer for the film Fifty Shades of Gray. What managing editor would ever call that news fit to broadcast?
I liked Brian Williams. But I also found myself alert in the last 10 minutes for an "Unkie Brian" off-key clunker.
4
NBC is making a mistake if it underestimates Lester Holt. He is a solid news anchor of the old school who delivers with an aura of integrity and rectitude.
No TV news group should ever let the anchor also be the news editor. Look at Brian's stories about his daughter, his Rangers game photo op, the "exciting news" about hiring a total amateur like Chelsea Clinton, and the release 6 months early of a trailer for the film Fifty Shades of Gray. What managing editor would ever call that news fit to broadcast?
I liked Brian Williams. But I also found myself alert in the last 10 minutes for an "Unkie Brian" off-key clunker.
No TV news group should ever let the anchor also be the news editor. Look at Brian's stories about his daughter, his Rangers game photo op, the "exciting news" about hiring a total amateur like Chelsea Clinton, and the release 6 months early of a trailer for the film Fifty Shades of Gray. What managing editor would ever call that news fit to broadcast?
I liked Brian Williams. But I also found myself alert in the last 10 minutes for an "Unkie Brian" off-key clunker.
Brian Williams considered himself to be a journalist, not a newsreader. As such the duty of his profession was to report the facts, not falsehoods. The core value of journalism is the truth backed up by documentary evidence and reliable sources and he failed spectacularly at this. He knowingly repeated lies not once but over several years, embellishing them all along, to polish his image and feed his ego. His glib and half-hearted apology once outed was not an indication of genuine remorse. NBC's decision to suspend him is a correct response to this. It will give him time to reflect on what he has done, how he can make amends to his employer, his team and colleagues, and, of course, the viewers of NBC news. He will also have to decide whether he wants to be a journalist or an entertainer making the circuit of late night talk shows. Whether he can come back from this is difficult to predict. If there is a conduct unbecoming or morals clause in his contract, NBC may quietly release him after his suspension.
3
'Splain to me why people who report the news, essentially read it to us, are required to be "stars". It's nicer, I suppose, to have an attractive head reading the news to us, but does it really matter?
It would be great if this episode with Brian Williams made the networks rethink their anchor positions. Maybe rotate them. Maybe term limits.
When some people become entrenched and a little drunk with power or celebrity, well ... hubris and all. Okay, there was Cronkite who became a saint by merely reporting the truth during the Vietnam debacle. But is it so hard to find somebody who doesn't want to be the object of our affection, that we tune in because they provide a quality product?
It would be great if this episode with Brian Williams made the networks rethink their anchor positions. Maybe rotate them. Maybe term limits.
When some people become entrenched and a little drunk with power or celebrity, well ... hubris and all. Okay, there was Cronkite who became a saint by merely reporting the truth during the Vietnam debacle. But is it so hard to find somebody who doesn't want to be the object of our affection, that we tune in because they provide a quality product?
2
Utter nonsense. Since when do people look to TV news readers as the paragons of virtue? Mr. Williams did this to himself. By some lucky fluke, a man with 18 college credits and so so looks climbed to the top of the news reader heap.
Who the heck cares? Cutting news comes from CNN, MSNBC and Fox (really it can be ok) in times of real breaking news events. Watching Mr. Williams in his Brooks Bros dress shirt with a denim jacket, report the horrors of any story is a joke at best. Good Riddance.
Who the heck cares? Cutting news comes from CNN, MSNBC and Fox (really it can be ok) in times of real breaking news events. Watching Mr. Williams in his Brooks Bros dress shirt with a denim jacket, report the horrors of any story is a joke at best. Good Riddance.
2
This is totally stupid. NBC is punishing a highly respected member of the news industry who many people including myself enjoy and trust his views on the news. So he made a very small error in an event in 2003,that is 12 years ago. Who in the national spotlight has not committed such an error. If everyone who had distorted events like that were suspended or dismissed, 90% of our elected officials would be out of a job. I strongly support Brian Williams and hope that good sense prevails and we get him back on the air as soon as possible.
26
Trouble is that he has been making up multiple lies for years. Please see the excellent investigative work by the Washington Post in this.
3
Why do you blindly trust someone's image? Someone you don't know? And the news isn't something you should just enjoy...it should be something that often shocks and enlightens your soul instead of pablum
4
A small error? What would be a large error? I'm not comparing this to a serious felony but he deliberately lied about a news event. That's an integral part of his job.
3
These guys are self-promoting celebrity info-tainers. The print media, or what's left of it, is increasingly headed that way.
Some Fourth Estate.
Some Fourth Estate.
4
It's all about the ratings. He embellished the helicopter story to increase his ratings and now he's being sidelined to protect the ratings.
4
Bad move by NBC. They should have let him go. In six months when he is on the air once again, people will say "is he telling the truth?" NBC will also be saying the same thing. They are stuck between a rock and hard place. and in the end it would be better for them and Williams. This is a "no win" situation,"
and NBC should have made the move and started over again.
and NBC should have made the move and started over again.
3
NBC announced Brian William's replacement. Baghdad Bob!
3
Williams qualifies for the 2015 Alex Rodriquez Suspension of the Year Award.
3
NBC can always replace Brian with another of their great news readers, Ann Curry!!!!!
3
There are false analogies in these comments that confuse the job of a president with the job of a news anchor.
Bush and Cheney were public officials, elected to govern. To set foreign and domestic policies, work with Congress to pass legislation they wanted, to declare war, to make peace, etc.
Brian Williams is a public figure, a different creature from a public official. Williams didn't levy taxes, or provide for the common defense. To state the Williams' lies weren't nearly as terrible as Bush/Cheney's is to misapprehend the story.
Williams' job was to report news, but not blindly, accepting anything the White House claimed as truth. It was his job to question Bush's claims of WMDs, and why we would invade a country without imminent threat to our safety. That's journalism by definition.
Instead, he was a mouthpiece for them. Was there any need for him to go to Iraq? NBC News had reporters there. Playing soldier isn't part of his job description.When Cronkite finally went to Nam, he went to assess the war for himself, as a reporter, and the face of CBS News, after years of field reporters covering the battles and body bags. Cronkite returned and reported: we we were being lied to, we were losing, we needed to get out.
Williams is clueless about what his job was -- as are those who equate a news anchor's lies with a president's lies. William's should be fired. There's another difference between a president and an anchor: it's much easier to get rid of the latter.
Bush and Cheney were public officials, elected to govern. To set foreign and domestic policies, work with Congress to pass legislation they wanted, to declare war, to make peace, etc.
Brian Williams is a public figure, a different creature from a public official. Williams didn't levy taxes, or provide for the common defense. To state the Williams' lies weren't nearly as terrible as Bush/Cheney's is to misapprehend the story.
Williams' job was to report news, but not blindly, accepting anything the White House claimed as truth. It was his job to question Bush's claims of WMDs, and why we would invade a country without imminent threat to our safety. That's journalism by definition.
Instead, he was a mouthpiece for them. Was there any need for him to go to Iraq? NBC News had reporters there. Playing soldier isn't part of his job description.When Cronkite finally went to Nam, he went to assess the war for himself, as a reporter, and the face of CBS News, after years of field reporters covering the battles and body bags. Cronkite returned and reported: we we were being lied to, we were losing, we needed to get out.
Williams is clueless about what his job was -- as are those who equate a news anchor's lies with a president's lies. William's should be fired. There's another difference between a president and an anchor: it's much easier to get rid of the latter.
3
Brian Williams, like so many narcissists, became smug inside his own celebrity and soon recklessly felt like he could get away with his lies--but then he got caught. It's called egotistically over-reaching. Punishing a narcissist for 6 months will not do anything to change him. Williams is more in love with himself than he is with truth and justice. Calling him a journalist is a joke. He's an aging pretty boy teleprompter reader for corporate propaganda infotainment. NBC is just hoping people will forget. Brian Williams will, probably in the next 6 months, try to charm and smarm his way back into the spotlight by appearing here and there with self-deprecating jokes. However, his character has been revealed and he is an offense to what journalism should stand for. . .NBC is all about corporate profiteering. If NBC valued journalism highly, they would fire Williams. But they are still invested in Williams' "brand" so they are taking this milque toast suspension approach. 6 months without pay to a wealthy guy like Williams is not even a slap on the wrist.
7
Hillary Clinton told a similar lie but is not held accountable and should be.
6
That's different. Hillary is a politician. We expect them to lie.
1
The kinds of excuses offered up here for the multilayered, conflicting and everchanging lies that Williams has engaged in over the last 12 years is very disturbing to me. Williams was paid a ton of money to be not just anchor but Director of the news division.
Saying , oh well it was only two whoppers( it was far more than that) and that everyone at Fox does it is no excuse. It also shows a shocking lack of concern by people about Williams' lack of principles, integrity and ethics. I also find the excuses that we should call Mr Williams was brave just because he was in a helicopter to be nonsense.
My brother who covered the Iraq war in 2003 for a national magazine was often in a helicopter ( on one occasion he accompanied the body of NBC reporter David Bloom after he died) told me he was constantly scared out of his mind. But like the hundreds of other embedded reporters in Iraq, he did his job by writing the TRUTH about what he saw and experienced. I can tell you if he had lied in his reports that he would have been fired on the spot.
Open your eyes, America. Let's demand that our newscasters be truthful in their reporting.
Saying , oh well it was only two whoppers( it was far more than that) and that everyone at Fox does it is no excuse. It also shows a shocking lack of concern by people about Williams' lack of principles, integrity and ethics. I also find the excuses that we should call Mr Williams was brave just because he was in a helicopter to be nonsense.
My brother who covered the Iraq war in 2003 for a national magazine was often in a helicopter ( on one occasion he accompanied the body of NBC reporter David Bloom after he died) told me he was constantly scared out of his mind. But like the hundreds of other embedded reporters in Iraq, he did his job by writing the TRUTH about what he saw and experienced. I can tell you if he had lied in his reports that he would have been fired on the spot.
Open your eyes, America. Let's demand that our newscasters be truthful in their reporting.
6
Yes, agreed. And, sadly, so many commenters are saying, oh everybody does it so it's ok. Well, that's the kind of lemming-like, magical thinking that got us all into the Great Recession. Because that's what the bankers said to themselves...oh, yeah, everybody's selling toxic debt and offering mortgages to unqualified people. Sure, let's ride that wave. When will we learn? Are we becoming increasingly child-like and without the parental wisdom which once instructed: "if everyone jumped off a bridge, would you?'
4
I think the punishment is appropriate. The punishment is about as genuine as NBC news is a news organization, and Brian Williams a journalist.
5
Brian Williams Suspended! Does this mean that the Fox News folks will also be furloughed? If Brian Williams punishment is for Six months does that mean the Fox folks can permanently be zapped?
4
Until Brian Williams admission 99% of his viewership believed every word the man uttered despite the absurdity of his claims, cognitive dissonance?
2
Too bad politicians aren't held to this high of a standard.
7
NBC is shooting itself in the heart. This is a crazy over-reaction. Since when does uninformed social media dictate NBC management decisions? Brian William's apology was sincere and who among us has not had misremembered event, particularly when the mind is under great stress. Give Williams back his chair next week, and this is no negative reflection on Lester Holt, who is also highly respected and trusted.
6
"Which news do you watch?"
"I watch the liar on NBC."
From the article: 'A friend who spoke to Mr. Williams on Tuesday described him as “shattered.”'
Good. Any hack, coiffed, blue-shirted, white-collared newsreader who refers to downed helicopters as "birds" deserves to be.
"I watch the liar on NBC."
From the article: 'A friend who spoke to Mr. Williams on Tuesday described him as “shattered.”'
Good. Any hack, coiffed, blue-shirted, white-collared newsreader who refers to downed helicopters as "birds" deserves to be.
5
What has happened to this country? Why have so many people who would never find themselves part of an actual mob braying for revenge allowed themselves to become part of a virtual mob doing the same thing? It's actually quite terrifying. Has no one read Dave Eggers's THE CIRCLE in which a man is hounded to his death by social media?
I am not saying that Brian Williams should not be reprimanded--even though, as experts have suggested, it's entirely possible this is a case of of false memory rather than standard-issue prevarication. But I'm appalled by the joy people are taking in bringing down yet another victim, the glee expressed in post after post. Where is the mercy and compassion? Has no one else ever made a mistake? David Brooks in a column yesterday counseled forgiveness. Is that too much of a stretch?
I am not saying that Brian Williams should not be reprimanded--even though, as experts have suggested, it's entirely possible this is a case of of false memory rather than standard-issue prevarication. But I'm appalled by the joy people are taking in bringing down yet another victim, the glee expressed in post after post. Where is the mercy and compassion? Has no one else ever made a mistake? David Brooks in a column yesterday counseled forgiveness. Is that too much of a stretch?
4
Stephen Colbert's Truthiness was apparentlly more accurate than Mr. Williams and his prime time media friends.
2
In effect he has been fired. A warning to all whose power goes above their heads. Keep your power in check. Otherwise it becomes your weakness.
4
I have said that a public flogging is more than enough punishment, and I stand by that. He has been flogged many times over, and does not deseerve the punishment he has gotten.
Those without sin cast the first stone. I am not one of them.
Those without sin cast the first stone. I am not one of them.
3
I will miss Brian Williams. I hope NBC will let him do on-the-ground reporting after his 6 month leave is up, and regain his trust with his audience. I hope he returns to his position and will have no problem trusting him in the future.
3
Mr. Williams never commanded the respect accorded to Walter Cronkite. Actually: give me a break--Williams is not remotely in the same league.
6
As disappointed as I am with Brian Williams, I remain a fan. Perhaps he should look into the recent job opening at The Daily Show. He's glib and likeable and might enjoy presenting the news, unfettered by corporate demands and the need to present, with a straight face, opposing points of view when they are moronic.
4
It's plausible that NBC's Brian Wiilliams was under considerable pressure to help 'win the war' and was in constant contact with Pentagon propaganda specialists. And it's also plausible he was 'coached' on his embellishment...
From a Wikipedia search of "embedded journalists" : "At the start of the war in March 2003, as many as 775 reporters and photographers were traveling as embedded journalists.[1] These reporters signed contracts with the military promising not to report information that could compromise unit position, future missions, classified weapons, and information they might find.[clarification needed][2][3] Joint training for war correspondents started in November 2002 in advance of start of the war.[4] When asked why the military decided to embed journalists with the troops, Lt. Col. Rick Long of the U.S. Marine Corps replied, "Frankly, our job is to win the war. Part of that is information warfare. So we are going to attempt to dominate the information environment."[5]
There's always more to the story...
From a Wikipedia search of "embedded journalists" : "At the start of the war in March 2003, as many as 775 reporters and photographers were traveling as embedded journalists.[1] These reporters signed contracts with the military promising not to report information that could compromise unit position, future missions, classified weapons, and information they might find.[clarification needed][2][3] Joint training for war correspondents started in November 2002 in advance of start of the war.[4] When asked why the military decided to embed journalists with the troops, Lt. Col. Rick Long of the U.S. Marine Corps replied, "Frankly, our job is to win the war. Part of that is information warfare. So we are going to attempt to dominate the information environment."[5]
There's always more to the story...
2
What strikes me most about the Williams affair is the rabid public rush to judgment. Few among that public have any interest in waiting for facts to settle out. Instead they profess a certainty they do not possess, and pretend to expertise about how memory works or what they "would have remembered" about a traumatic incident they were nowhere near. Such bloodlust is most directly a judgment about us.
A further shame is that NBC seems to have used this public outcry as its measure in handing down the suspension.
A further shame is that NBC seems to have used this public outcry as its measure in handing down the suspension.
22
"I have always been an avid fan of Brian Williams. I feel that a six - month suspension is a bit much..."
I have too. I think he should be fired -- immediately if not sooner.
I have too. I think he should be fired -- immediately if not sooner.
5
When you are in the business of reporting the truth, you can't make up stories.
I'm sorry, but he's got to go.
I'm sorry, but he's got to go.
6
Do you think all of the reporting he did leading up to the Iraq War in 2002 was "the truth" ?
He's in the business of reporting, but the truth part is up for debate.
He may have had the title of managing editor, but he answered to people above him, and I wouldn't doubt that those same people were very happy to see him embellish his copter stories wherever he could.
He's in the business of reporting, but the truth part is up for debate.
He may have had the title of managing editor, but he answered to people above him, and I wouldn't doubt that those same people were very happy to see him embellish his copter stories wherever he could.
1
No one should be surprised by the rapid descent of the NBC news operation since the network was purchased by Comcast. They are a company of accountants, lawyers and technicians, not TV programmers. As a cable signal distributor, they lack the creative chops it takes to build a product people actually want to watch. Must see, TV? Not.
4
If NBC executives had read Julian Barnes' The Sense of an Ending (which won the Booker Prize) or Augustine's Confessions, they would perhaps judge Mr. Brian Williams' misremembering less harshly.
3
Look. This guy is a "news reader". He does not analyze the significance. The media makes anyone in this position seem important. While what he did is unacceptable, the furor is also inflating his and his action's importance. Of course, I watch only PBS nightly news because I get the information to decide what's really going on. Because Williams flies to news locations does not make him or the news he reports meaningful. It's all fake news on the major channels except for Jon Stewart's show. Get over it.
6
Does anyone ever "misremember" to their own belittlement or detriment? Can we imagine Brian Williams having said that the helicopter hadn't been hit when in fact it had?
1
Maybe if the media had not reacted to the social media outburst we would all be settling down to another segment of news with Brian tonight. Things can't seem to blow over nowadays. And why should a newscaster be held to a standard higher than a public servant (politician), anyway?
4
Suspended ?!?
He should be fired. This is just a lame attempt by NBC executives and their owning parent Comcast to put time and distance between this sordid event. Do they really think we are stupid?
Fire him. I served in Iraq as a Marine. I and other veterans resent his seeking to appropriate war stories and paint himself into a combat picture.
Brian Williams is supposed to be an adult and a professional and high-end journalist. He has proven he is none of these things.
Watch the Letterman interview from 2013, the one Brian failed to reference in his ridiculous spin "apology" - - it will make you cringe. As the Irish like to say, Brian Williams lost the run of himself sometime long ago. Fire him, now.
He should be fired. This is just a lame attempt by NBC executives and their owning parent Comcast to put time and distance between this sordid event. Do they really think we are stupid?
Fire him. I served in Iraq as a Marine. I and other veterans resent his seeking to appropriate war stories and paint himself into a combat picture.
Brian Williams is supposed to be an adult and a professional and high-end journalist. He has proven he is none of these things.
Watch the Letterman interview from 2013, the one Brian failed to reference in his ridiculous spin "apology" - - it will make you cringe. As the Irish like to say, Brian Williams lost the run of himself sometime long ago. Fire him, now.
6
This is a lose-lose situation, whhether Mr William deserves any consequences or what they should be. The public or his rival in news business score no win with the demise of Mr. William. I wish the outcry highlight as much lies told by other celebrities who suffered no consequences, but have in fact flourished in their respective career. This is not just about Brian William. More than anything, this is about an American psyche that makes lies permissible, common place and even necessary (since everybody else are doing it), unless caught.
2
Like some of the more left leaning news sites have been discussing, it's seems strange to me that Brian Williams is severely punished for what is in all likelihood an honest mistake (see the article two days ago about how frequently we all misremember and embellish our stories), while the actual war that he was reporting on was a complete lie sold to the Congress and the public. That is to say, this discussion about integrity would mean more if the media still had any. Brian Williams is a sacrifice, and a further distraction from the corruption that at present runs rampant in our politicians and their enablers.
6
Maybe Williams should become Jon Stewart's replacement on the Daily Show? Seriously. It would give him a chance to publicly refer to and poke fun at his own foibles plus he is a funny guy, and I could see how his commentary on others could be really funny yet penetrating (as is Jon Stewart). Williams would need an attitude adjustment off of highborn and lofty towards repentant sinner, but he needs to do this anyway. Jon Stewart could even ease him in by having him currently join the Daily Show as one of Jon's correspondents, e.g. "senior anchor correspondent" or "senior credibility correspondent" or "senior fabulist", and he could make some really good zingers stick because the audience would know he had been there. Would take some deft writing to chart the course right, "self-mocking and admitted exaggerator but now being really honest". It might be a path back, and even if not it might be a path that would work for the Daily Show.
27
My thoughts exactly, as I watched Jon Stewart's announcement. Brian wants to be on late night. He's funny and this would be a perfect place for him to recover his reputation. Everyone deserves a second chance.
1
Truly, a mountain made of less than a molehill.
Williams attracted over 9 million to NBC News each night - I'll keep watching Lester read the news because I like him...but I don't think advertisers are going to see things quite the same as me.
Lots of the people quoted in this piece seem to have their own tongue-clicking agenda for wishing Williams ill - their snarky comments have nothing to do with his "vile acts" and everything to do with their envy of his being at the top of his game.
As always.
He'll be back soon enough. With a nice tan, you can bet.
Williams attracted over 9 million to NBC News each night - I'll keep watching Lester read the news because I like him...but I don't think advertisers are going to see things quite the same as me.
Lots of the people quoted in this piece seem to have their own tongue-clicking agenda for wishing Williams ill - their snarky comments have nothing to do with his "vile acts" and everything to do with their envy of his being at the top of his game.
As always.
He'll be back soon enough. With a nice tan, you can bet.
4
I think the leadership at NBC News had a hand in creating an environment where something like this could occur. My take is that there is an expectation of the on-air staff to talk about their personal lives to the viewers. I know all about Brian's daughter, Matt's kids, Savanah's pregnancy, and Al's weekend plans. That one of them, in an effort to meet those expectations, changed some facts about a story he was involved in, should not be surprising to anyone. Deborah Turness' statement about this incident would lead me to believe she is not ready to share any responsibility. Too bad, I really wish they could all go back to just reporting the news
4
The sad part of this is that Brian Williams was already at the top of his game. Just being in the war zone reporting news takes guts and some bravery, maybe a lot of bravery. He didn't need to embelish his service. I feel bad for him and his family. I am a conservative and stopped watching NBC, CBS and ABC years ago because of their liberal bias but nevertheless feel bad for Mr Williams
3
It seems that there is almost unanimous agreement that people want honesty and integrity in their news anchors.
Shouldn't we be demanding the same of Hillary Clinton who falsely claimed that she was shot at by snipers? Why should she be a viable presidential candidate?
Shouldn't we be demanding the same of Hillary Clinton who falsely claimed that she was shot at by snipers? Why should she be a viable presidential candidate?
2
I happen to like Mr. Williams. Even though he made a bad error in judgment that got him suspended, to me he is still the most viable news anchor on TV. He also has a sense of humor and that goes a long way with me. We've all messed up during our careers one way or another, but most of us get a second chance. Brian Williams should get his "one more chance" as well.
5
I find it telling that the top story in the New York Times news section online is the retirement of a "false"news comedy commentator and only the second story is of the suspension of a "real" news commentator.
3
I am puzzled by the vitriol here against Mr. Williams. Where is the scorn, the outrage for our elected politicians who can barely open their respective mouths except to utter an egregious exaggeration or bold-faced lie? When (if ever) are they punished? I'm waiting for the day when Cruz, McConnell, Bush, Cheney, et al get suspended without their fat pay checks and or pensions. Williams is small fry in *that* shark tank.
5
In fairness, the New York Times did report on Bush/Cheney lies and mismanagement and there was plenty of vitriol in the comment's arena by readers who were outraged and felt betrayed.
1
The era and tradition of reportage that brought us the likes of Walter Cronkite, Harry Reasoner, Bob Trout, Chet Huntley, David Brinkley, Peter Jennings, and Tom Brokaw, has long passed. It's a sad sorry state of affairs for what passes today, as so called "News."
5
And add Ben Bradlee. These were trained "get three sources" journalists. All we have now are sound bites. We no longer have the print media to investigate. The news now is only rumors and innuendos. The Boston Globe, NY Times and Washington Post are just shells of their former selves. Even my small town news paper no longer reports any real news. Just school sports and bird sightings!!
1
Oh no! He gilded the lilly in telling a war story. None of us would ever do that. He's not perfect. Burn him at the stake! If he was in congress it would be okay but he's on TV where everyone is flawless. Right?
6
The people now criticizing Brian Williams were safe at home while he was risking his life, and almost lost it, in that terrifying event so that we could be informed about the war.
Those who run Fox "News" clearly don't have the high standards of MSNBC or there would be suspensions almost every day for the blatant lies without apology that are told there by "journalists."
Of course Mr. Williams should be allowed to return to his job after his painful learning experience. Politicians can lie, cheat and steal and they're reelected. He shouldn't be punished any further just because MSNBC journalists are held to a higher standard than our politicians who can lie about wars, affairs, scientific facts, etc., and are still treated with respect, with lies unchallenged, by most journalists.
Those who run Fox "News" clearly don't have the high standards of MSNBC or there would be suspensions almost every day for the blatant lies without apology that are told there by "journalists."
Of course Mr. Williams should be allowed to return to his job after his painful learning experience. Politicians can lie, cheat and steal and they're reelected. He shouldn't be punished any further just because MSNBC journalists are held to a higher standard than our politicians who can lie about wars, affairs, scientific facts, etc., and are still treated with respect, with lies unchallenged, by most journalists.
7
No as all three pilots who were with Mt Williams on the Chinook have attested to, they were never in danger, never shot at and they most certainly almost never lost their lives
2
Mr. Williams is very skilled but if NBC thinks that bringing him back in six months will negate Mr. William's underlying sense of inadequacy misses the larger point. Viewers will always be wondering whether Williams is reading the news or offering more puffery. Look at Mr. Farreed Zakaria, the only people that still take him seriously are Neocons and Washington Post's management.
2
If Brian Williams does get his job back, how will he with a straight face be able to report on politicians caught in a lie or a bunch of lies?
1
Lester Holt deserves the permanent position. He is serious, utterly professional and never makes himself part of the story. What Williams did is mind-boggling, but in many ways, he just followed the dictates of today's TV journalism, which demands that anchors place themselves on the front lines of any and all major events. This is a much larger problem than Brian Williams.
3
Brian Williams has 'become' the news rather than reporter of the news - a mistake often of those new to the profession. Lately, our culture of deifying celebrity status seems to have breached Williams's journalistic coat of armor. But we are nothing if not a nation of second chances. I believe he will learn from this and bounce back - stronger than ever.
Wishing Brian Williams all the best...
Wishing Brian Williams all the best...
2
On the subject of journalistic accuracy: The quote from Williams in your penultimate paragraph—the one the Times lifted directly from his Stars and Stripes interview—is inaccurate; a transcription error by Stars and Stripes that now has been reprinted in the paper of record. In this instance, the misquote is benign—what Williams actually said (per the audio files made available on the S&S website) is, "I don't know what screw up in mind caused me to conflate..."
Again, a benign mistake. But even in a story about the importance of journalistic integrity and accuracy—a story with this much heat on it—Stars and Stripes got something wrong, and the seeds of inaccuracy are sown and spread.
Again, a benign mistake. But even in a story about the importance of journalistic integrity and accuracy—a story with this much heat on it—Stars and Stripes got something wrong, and the seeds of inaccuracy are sown and spread.
Why not do a straight-up trade: Jon Stuart for Brian Williams?
1
A loyal commenter writes:
"Too bad Brian - please know that your fans are still behind you."
About an hour behind, I hear -- about the same as Brian himself in the helicopter incident.
"Too bad Brian - please know that your fans are still behind you."
About an hour behind, I hear -- about the same as Brian himself in the helicopter incident.
3
Brian Williams, a man with wealth, power, celebrity, stardom, popularity, appearance, family and more. Risking it all. He appears to be a man who enjoys living on the edge. Why would he even be on a military helicopter in a war zone when all he had to do was safely interview a few troops on the ground and head back home? Why would he risk making up a far-fetched story with witnesses present and continue repeating the tall tale to millions of people? Why would a person in the trusted position of network managing editor and news anchor chance reducing the image of those positions by constantly appearing as a guest on entertainment and comedy shows? Why would a person in one of broadcasting’s most esteemed positions prefer being a late night talk show host? Why would a highly paid employee of a broadcasting company take it on his own to announce he was leaving for several days apparently without the approval of his bosses and in effect implying it was his show and that he was in charge?
1
Brian Williams exaggerations - or lies - seem like small cheese compared to all of the "spiked" stories that might cause offense or embarrassment to the powers that be - now and in the past.
There were Middle Eastern reporters who knew many if not most Iraqis would not take kindly to an invasion by Americans despite universal hatred of Saddam Hussein. There were all the atrocities and massacres committed by right-wing Latin American governments supported by several US administrations which didn't make the news until long after they occurred.
There were Middle Eastern reporters who knew many if not most Iraqis would not take kindly to an invasion by Americans despite universal hatred of Saddam Hussein. There were all the atrocities and massacres committed by right-wing Latin American governments supported by several US administrations which didn't make the news until long after they occurred.
Not unlike the time Hillary embellished upon her trip to Bosnia which was supposed to have been under sniper fire (but not literally). Glad NBC has standards for accountability and will enforce them but they didn't have much choice because denial would have hurt ratings.
3
Why aren't all the Fox News so-called reporters similarly treated? They are paid to lie!
4
Well, I've always liked Mr. Holt, and I hope it gets the position on a permanent basis.
As for Mr. Williams...he would do better to get a job on Faux News.
As for Mr. Williams...he would do better to get a job on Faux News.
2
That's ok. He can keep his job after his suspension. I refuse to watch NBC news.
1
Had Mr. Williams reported that he was informed by Jesus to stand on the nose of the helicopter, caught the said RPG in his teeth, growled "bring it on", hurled it back to earth, whereupon it multiplied a million fold, destroyed all the WMDS, and the smoke then transformed into million dollar bills paying for the war, and proclaimed "mission accomplished", the American people would have elected him president twice!
What was he thinking?
What was he thinking?
1
NBC lost all credibility a long time ago with the Today's Shows theme of "How can we make you envious of Matt Lauer and crew". Just look at their latest ad as they "brag" about the cool hi-jinx they get to partake in.
2
Hope Mr. Williams has saved enough money to go six months without pay. He can always move back in with mom and dad if things get rough. Cheers!
1
While I don't condone "embellishments" made by Mr Williams, I find it appalling that he has been called to task whereas other "news commentators" have never been. Many who report for Fox News, Wall Street Journal, etc have made many false statements. They have never corrected themselves, but perpetuate knowingly false statements. What I don't understand is why Mr Williams is being treated far harsher than others. If nothing else, the fact that he first went back on the air and recanted his statement and followed up with his OWN removal from the desk before his 6 months "suspension" lends far more to his continued credibility than any other news person out there at this time.
1
I have a hard time condemning Mr. Williams when I think of all the places he's been and situations he's found himself in. Over the years, many situations and conversations, of which I believe I vividly remember, have been challenged and proven inaccurate by my friends and family and yet, they still trust me in their living rooms. He made a mistake, and, when confronted with it, admitted his flaw and apologized. The embarrassment by itself is punishment and I can hardly imagine the humiliation he's enduring. If this was FOX, the story would be different, but it's not Rupert Murdoch's boys spinning up a National Enquirer story, it's a man whom we've trusted over the years to bring us unbiased news from thousands of locations and has made a mistake in one of those thousands of stories. Looking forward to having you back in my living room Brian but in the mean time, try to enjoy your time off.
2
Ever seen a news broadcast in the UK by the BBC? Now THAT'S a news program - uncensored, unbiased, not filtered or ramped up with entertainment segments which our news networks do here, because here they are owned by big corporations who disseminate what they choose to tell us, what will pull in the most viewers, which ultimately drives the revenues. It's a clear case of follow the money, it's business as usual in the U.S. - it's all about the money.
Talking heads from pseudo news outlets. Gave up on 'em several years ago. It's all a farce...
Talking heads from pseudo news outlets. Gave up on 'em several years ago. It's all a farce...
3
Handled poorly from the start. Mr. Williams should have been suspended immediately, and from the top, not from Mr. Williams. This is purely a position of trust. I see no way to remain credible as a news institution without swift, immediate and clear action. You do not lie about your own news gathering and remain in the position of trust. Why is that so hard for an institution to understand? I'm thinking of Dan Rather.
2
I would like NBC to explain to me how this suspension does anything to resolve the problem. It seems like a parent sending his/her kid to bed without supper. "From now on, you tell the truth! There, problem solved!" This wasn't a momentary confusion on Williams's part; he consistently misrepresented what happened in order to bolster his street cred and seemed to relish the admiration he got from people awed by his "bravery". This was deliberate, calculated fabrication for the purposes of self-promotion (and, in turn, promotion of NBC as well). Either NBC comes forward and says "We're extremely disappointed in him but we still have faith in his abilities" or "We're extremely disappointed in him and no longer feel he can do the job the public needs him to do." But this is neither fish nor fowl. How does 6 months' unpaid leave do anything other than pay lip service to rectitude? I think NBC is just hoping that by taking him off the air, he'll keep a low enough profile long enough for people to forget and move on. If Williams doesn't end up back at the Nightly News, he'll surely get a show on MSNBC.
1
Deborah Turness, the president of NBC News did "over kill" on suspending Brian Williams for 6 months! Okay, Mr. Williams embellished his Iraq war story and he is paying the price. However, compared to our "illustrious politicians" in Congress who outright fabricate and deceived us constantly about the Iraq war...Mr. Williams behavior is mild in comparison. It is on the level of macho storytelling. Mr. Stephen Burke, the chief executive of NBCUniversal said that Mr. Williams “has shared his deep remorse with me, and he is committed to winning back everyone’s trust.” He added, “He deserves a second chance, and we are rooting for him.” I for one am doing just that. Who among us doesn't deserve a 'second chance' sometime in our life?
2
Embellishment is the American way. We embellish movie scripts, life stories and any aspect when we are trying to impress. Brian Williams is not a criminal, NBC, other media outlets and some members of the public should stop treating him as such.. An apology is enough.
2
The phrase "NBC Nightly News" is oxymoronic at best. It's not news, it's entertainment. It follows a predictable formula including the latest weather fiasco, a piece on healthcare, news of a celebrity's passing (often someone in the NBC news community), and a human interest story as a closing -- interspersed with a few sound bites of "real" news. Mr. Williams is a smooth dude in presenting it, but he has lowered the standard for actual news reporting. It is not surprising that he has made it a habit to embellish the news with a few "conflations" of his own creation -- particularly ones that are self-aggrandizing. I hope NBC will upgrade itself from a TV tabloid to something of substance in terms of its "news" department. Maybe if it did, the other networks would follow suit.
3
I'm not sure what the punishment for Brian Williams should be. I do know I look at Brian Williams differently now. I did watch the NBC Evening News but now I think I'll give the other broadcasts a try. My one thought is maybe Brian Williams should have skipped the talk shows. I can see where you feel you have to try to be an exciting guest and then perhaps you embellish when you shouldn't.
14
I do not normally comment on this type of news. However, I think Brian Williams is speaking his truth when he says he simply mis-spoke about his experience. It was an emotionally charged life threatening situation. He made a mistake. The man is human. He simply recalled it with the emotion he felt at the time.
26
The problem with your theory is that he reported it accurately when it happened. It was crystal clear at the time. So, being emotionally charged had nothing to do with his exaggerations over the years. By the way - notice how his "misspeaking" made him look like hero? Please be more cynical.
3
Seriously? This isn't "misremembering" a childhood experience. He gradually changed the story over 10 years which resulted in a complete fabrication on Letterman.
2
It's very sad to see Brian Williams being attacked so ruthlessly. I used to watch Peter Jennings on ABC every night because he usually delivered real news. When he passed away Brian Williams, newly placed as the NBC news anchor, gave the best tribute to Mr. Jennings of all the major media - from the heart. Mr. Williams attempted to deliver the real news up to and including the wealth transfer to the top 1% global financial elite in the market crash of 2008. Since then none of the major broadcast media have given us full, honest news coverage. Media people seem to have their own little "fraternity/sorority" where they are talking to each other - not the public - so there is no sense in listening or watching. It does not appears the major broadcast media, owned by a few giant corporate conglomerates, are going to change anytime soon and the best choice for television until they do is OFF. Except Rachel Maddow and Jon Stewart while he's on the Daily Show.
1
Suspension?? It should be,' FIRED'.
5
Won't miss Brian, supreme hack for the pharmacetical companies. He is guilty of what those in the military call stolen valor, pretending to have done a brave act. And all those segments with Dr. Nancy Sneiderman are just intended to pander to those drug companies when real news could have been provided. Plus his ties are too wide. Thank God for PBS Newshour.
2
Memory is a tricky thing.Without doing it consciously, you may alter the events of your past when recounting them, and you may do this without any ulterior motive like fame.The guy had plenty of fame already.Most probably he just wanted to pay homage to someone he considered a hero.
1
Considering that NBC suspended itself from the serious journalism business six years ago the light punishment seems appropriate.
2
Everything about William's normal demeanor makes you want to trust and believe him. He reeks of trustworthiness and humility. I initially felt badly for him and wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt because of those qualities. But based upon the network's actions I no longer think he "conflated' facts. I think he knowingly, stupidly, and unnecessarily stepped over the line. I don't see how he comes back to his old job in six months either. Sometimes otherwise very good people make really bad decisions and they get caught.
1
PLEASE, Give me a break everyone! I do not watch NBC News very often and what he did was wrong, but he went into a war zone to get news for a public who, except for a very few , are not willing to sacrifice anything to help our soldiers. Enough of the fake outrage.
2
Perhaps our last casualty from Iraq? Time will tell. Network news these days is merely a ratings vehicle to sell ads. Were he to come back in six months, chastened but humiliated, his ratings will be zip.
Williams doing something on Broadway? How about "Iraqi Tales" co-starring veteran players such as "W" and Cheney, Wolfie, and that whole gang of fabricators?
Williams doing something on Broadway? How about "Iraqi Tales" co-starring veteran players such as "W" and Cheney, Wolfie, and that whole gang of fabricators?
3
Brian Williams has ALWAYS lied to America.
As a journalist and an anchor Mr. Williams has falsely assured us for 25 years that we were winning in Iraq and the Middle East.
A quarter of century and it never crossed his mind that there might be something fishy with official White House mantra?
It took a single visit to Vietnam for Mr. Cronkite to see and report the truth.
How many journalists in America could righteously claim: “We all are Brian Williams”?
As a journalist and an anchor Mr. Williams has falsely assured us for 25 years that we were winning in Iraq and the Middle East.
A quarter of century and it never crossed his mind that there might be something fishy with official White House mantra?
It took a single visit to Vietnam for Mr. Cronkite to see and report the truth.
How many journalists in America could righteously claim: “We all are Brian Williams”?
This article describes,probably not intentionally,what is wrong with News organizations.The people that are supposed to communicate the news have become too important(celebrity status) and have become the News.Togather with earning excessive compensation.
Long gone are the days of Walter Cronkite and others
Long gone are the days of Walter Cronkite and others
1
NBC News should also suspend itself.
1
Why does a high profile newsman leave his desk to venture into a combat zone? Is it to report the news or to enhance his own image? If a reporter travels into a combat zone there is no reason to exaggerate the danger -- the danger is a given. However, to enhance the story as William's did seems rather insulting to our combat soldiers who are shot at, wounded, and killed. Tell their everyday story from your desk. They are the warriors, not William's, a desk warrior. -- Just Thinking
1
Some people here have been saying that things have changed, that most people don't respect network news anchors anymore. It doesn't really matter that Mr. Williams was dishonest -- just let it go and accept it. But we need honesty in this country, and badly. We need a free, powerful and independent press that will dig in and question government and corporate behavior. We need news outlets that are driven by integrity and not by bottom-line strategies...and reporting based on the public good. If only NBC, ABC, CBS and Fox understood the damage they are doing to American culture by valuing profit over the public good. American journalism isn't perfect and has seen highs and lows, but I don't think it has ever been as bad as it is today.
3
Ms. Turness should go, as well. Why do we need a British person to head NBC News? An American would never be allowed to work in the U.K., Canada or Australia in such a capacity. She opened her email with the salutation, "All." How arrogant. I had been feeling uncomfortable for a while now, with Brian Williams, Matt Lauer, etc. Too much pop culture. Who can take Matt Lauer seriously when you see him on the Red Carpet at the Golden Globes? Why is Brian Williams doing an extended report on Unbroken? Why is Jimmy Fallon (who should also go - he's terrible) be allowed to mock Brian William's reporting with the rap Youtube nonsense? And above all, not one of these newscasters questioned WHY we were in Iraq to begin with? The New York Times, NBC, CBS, ABC and FOX should put out a paper on "Journalism Ethics 101" for the American public. All high school students should take a required course on Journalism.
1
Get a grip. Watching the clips of the story over time, I don't hear "lies". I hear a fish story. And, hey. The guy really did catch a fish. It just wasn't quite that big. He wasn't reporting the old story as "news" when he retold it. 12 years later this story was not news, but a personal anecdote. There is a real difference between factual lies on issues that count, and the irrelevance of an exaggerated fish tale. The second one is inconsequential -- and should not have consequences.
3
No surprise here. Personal integrity and professional standards went out of fashion over a generation ago. Welcome to the new abnormal.
2
Look at the bright side- now he can finally move into the line of work he has craved for years - comedy.
2
Brian Williams won me over when he covered Hurricane Katrina. He was getting pressure to stop reporting the story and he made a statement on air for viewers to stop calling and demanding he leave New Orleans. He stayed. This suspension is a temporary blip in remarkable career. He will come back stronger, ready for the 2016 Elections.
2
The trouble is, MrWilliams is now investigation for lying about what he saw and experienced in Katrina. Again see the excellent investigative work by the Washington Post team on this yesterday( New York Times reporters: where were you?)
Mr. Williams allowed himself to become bigger than the stories he presented. He lost sight of his profession: To report the news and let it speak for itself.
4
When the people at Fox News are able to spin and slant the news to suit their ideology without compunction or consequence, I am certain there are many half-truths and untruths being spread about just about everywhere. In the face of this, it's hard to be overly concerned with Mr. Williams' situation, or to believe he has been treated fairly by NBC as compared to his peers. I don't think that anyone who turns exclusively to the news anchors anywhere on television for all of their news should expect to be well or truthfully informed.
1
Come on! Six month suspension! If politicians and other commenters were treated like that the country would stop functioning. Dont delude yourselves into thinking that people will settle for six months of Lester Holt. I for one will not and won't return to NBC until Brian Williams does.
1
We should consider typical in this day and age of faux news that all the puffed up media cheerleaders of the tragic military incursion into Iraq, NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN and godawful Fox, the puppy dog press, those who either supported the lies from the Bush Adminstration leading up to the war or failed to criticize what was a glaring media hype from Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, et al, to justify military action, are now shocked...I tell you,...shocked that there is lying going on in here...in the person of poor Brian Williams. As Jon Stewart said on his show....'finally, someone is being taken to task for lying to the American public about the Iraq War.' Congratulations, guys, you finally got the culprit. Walter Cronkite is dead, man.
3
Brian Williams shares a talent for, um, amplification or conflation with Hillary, LBJ, William Faulkner, Andre Malraux, and surely many others. This does not change the facts in his case, only make the point that exaggeration often seems to accompany fame or celebrity. Perhaps this underlines the point that viewers are too innocent about the "news" in general as it appears told by perfectly coiffed, white-toothed folk who seem perfect for parody. After 9/11, I was struck by newscasters from Canada who seemed vastly different from those in this country: not so physically perfect. It may be time to shake up the "evening" news.
1
This commenter, like many, thinks TV news anchors shouldn't be held to a higher standard than politicians:
"And how about those "Weapons of Mass Destruction" V. Pres Dick Cheney lied about??? We went to war over that lie!"
That we did, and shouldn't have. Cheney was just speculating, though I think he believed what he was saying and most Americans believed him. But it was possible – not easy, but possible – to find out that Cheney was just shooting from the hip. Few Americans bothered to do that because – I think – they WANTED to believe Cheney had evidence. 9/11 was still fresh in our minds and so we wanted to whack a few more Arabs. Besides, the economy was in the pits and there's nothing like a good war to kickstart the economy (which the Iraq war did).
But TV news anchors are expected to tell the truth. We don't ask much of them: Just look earnest, don't stumble over any words on the teleprompter, have a full head of hair – and tell the truth.
"And how about those "Weapons of Mass Destruction" V. Pres Dick Cheney lied about??? We went to war over that lie!"
That we did, and shouldn't have. Cheney was just speculating, though I think he believed what he was saying and most Americans believed him. But it was possible – not easy, but possible – to find out that Cheney was just shooting from the hip. Few Americans bothered to do that because – I think – they WANTED to believe Cheney had evidence. 9/11 was still fresh in our minds and so we wanted to whack a few more Arabs. Besides, the economy was in the pits and there's nothing like a good war to kickstart the economy (which the Iraq war did).
But TV news anchors are expected to tell the truth. We don't ask much of them: Just look earnest, don't stumble over any words on the teleprompter, have a full head of hair – and tell the truth.
2
Suspended from NBC for 6 Months? Brian Williams is done as far as NBC News. Most trusted is no longer regardless of how much time goes by.
1
A lot of the posts here long for old school reporting without the entertainment element. PBS's Newshour has filled that niche for years and continues to do so with little fanfare.
2
As bad as this story is, I found his promotion of his daughters's performance on the NBC production of Peter Pan much more troubling. While I appreciate that the News has become a place of cross-promotion for other NBC programs, the extensive coverage of this particular program had no place within a news format.
I felt, after that incident, that Mr. Williams as anchor and basically serving as his own boss, had lost his perspective. Too bad no one was comfortable telling him this self-promotioon was probably not a good idea. Couple that with the extensive weather coverage, FYI -NBC owns the Weather Channel, that often headlines the half hour and provides information that is readily available elsewhere and is not significant to broad areas of the country. Isn't this supposed to be national news? And please don't get me started on the second half of the news which now looks more and more like the Today Show, with all the puppies. This latest incident, Brian's lying, let's call it what it is, provides the final stimulus to break our NBC news habit and find a news operation which does what they are supposed to do, provide accurate, relevant information in a timely fashion. Right now that seems to be public television.
I felt, after that incident, that Mr. Williams as anchor and basically serving as his own boss, had lost his perspective. Too bad no one was comfortable telling him this self-promotioon was probably not a good idea. Couple that with the extensive weather coverage, FYI -NBC owns the Weather Channel, that often headlines the half hour and provides information that is readily available elsewhere and is not significant to broad areas of the country. Isn't this supposed to be national news? And please don't get me started on the second half of the news which now looks more and more like the Today Show, with all the puppies. This latest incident, Brian's lying, let's call it what it is, provides the final stimulus to break our NBC news habit and find a news operation which does what they are supposed to do, provide accurate, relevant information in a timely fashion. Right now that seems to be public television.
4
I just heard Matt Lauer and Savannah Guthrie discuss for the first time the subject of Brian Williams`suspension on the Today Show. Sadly, the first time anything was mentioned. I'm sure that Brian Williams is indeed a good guy, well liked among his peers, colleagues, and friends. However, I think NBC by its omission of this debacle, inflamed viewers even more than his odd admission of the events reading off a teleprompter. If Mr. Williams had truly come clean early on and NBC discussed it openly on the news, rather than trying to bury it in the sand, perhaps his fall from grace might have not been so hard. I guess what troubles me is a six month suspension, then what? It's all roses and candy canes and all is forgotten? I think the network has taken a huge hit. The viewing audience demands clarity, honesty, and above all credibility. Brian Williams reported the news, but now, he is the news. NBC needs to let Lester Holt keep the job. He seems just what is needed; calm demeanor, and sincerity. Let us decide what network or anchor to watch or not at all.
17
NBC should have fired Brian Williams in 2003 when they didn't get their money's worth! Brian and his ever present film crew were 'caught in enemy fire' yet never filmed or recorded the incident or even record a description of their experience during the several days afterward when they were stranded in the desert by a sandstorm. What were they doing? Sleeping off their 'fog of war'?
The MOST egregious error that Brian has made professionally though has to be his filming of Army Specialist Lori Piestewa in Iraq in the midst of death throes, clearly at the hour of her death, and showing it to the world AND HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS on national tv with advance warning of what was to be shown and seen. Lori was a member of the Hopi tribe who do not allow filming of sacred ceremonies, yet here Brian Williams filmed the most SACRED event and put in on national tv. That too was 2003.
The Iraq war obviously went to Brian's head and NBC gave him a pass. 12 years and $156 million later, NBC should do what they should have done in 2003 - fire him immediately. They owe him nothing more. Actually, he should REPAY a good portion of that salary for breach of professional ethics.
The MOST egregious error that Brian has made professionally though has to be his filming of Army Specialist Lori Piestewa in Iraq in the midst of death throes, clearly at the hour of her death, and showing it to the world AND HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS on national tv with advance warning of what was to be shown and seen. Lori was a member of the Hopi tribe who do not allow filming of sacred ceremonies, yet here Brian Williams filmed the most SACRED event and put in on national tv. That too was 2003.
The Iraq war obviously went to Brian's head and NBC gave him a pass. 12 years and $156 million later, NBC should do what they should have done in 2003 - fire him immediately. They owe him nothing more. Actually, he should REPAY a good portion of that salary for breach of professional ethics.
4
Oh, just wash his mouth out with soap and be done with it.
1
So we will not have the "benefit" of Brian Williams reading the news to us?
So what?
When the news readers and journalists become part of the news or make-up the news or plagiarize or steal the news then they are worthless. When the business of news as entertainment collides with the enlightenment of news as education and information you have an inherent toxic conflicting mix.
So what?
When the news readers and journalists become part of the news or make-up the news or plagiarize or steal the news then they are worthless. When the business of news as entertainment collides with the enlightenment of news as education and information you have an inherent toxic conflicting mix.
2
Nothing happened to Nancy Sniderman when she committed a much more serious infraction, so how can NBC punish Williams? I am not saying I agree or disagree with their action, but then the travesty that is Fox news comes to mind. They lie ALL the time or twist the truth and there are NO consequences. Shouldn't justice be EQUAL?
1
I am sorry for Williams. But his disgrace will not keep me from watching NBC news. I liked Lester Holt better anyway. It is nice to see a black anchor who occasionally wears glasses as the anchor. Nothing against Brian but he reminded me too much of the actor who played an anchor in the movie, "Network." Anchors don't have to be pretty boys. I can't remember her name but ABC had a female anchor for a time and I watched her regularly. She was good at her job. I am a white male with roots in the American South. So much for stereotypes.
2
Not to diminish circumstances that don't amount to a hill of beans in the first place, but you've buried the lead here - which is that Brian Williams really wants to be Johnny Carson. Are you kidding me? He was angling for the "Tonight Show" desk? That tells you pretty much all you need to know about the nature and substance of TV journalism in our time. Heads up to Brian: Comedy Central apparently has an opening. Perhaps their guy will wind up filling your shoes. Wouldn't that be a fitting denouement for this absurd drama.
1
I believe NBC had no choice. The integrity of its news program would be called into question if Williams remained in his post. It speaks well of NBC management. If FOX News fired mendacious staffers, there it would have a skeleton crew.
Comedy Central should immediately contact Brian Williams agent and begin negotiations to land him as John Stewart's successor as host of "The Daily Show." It'd be a win-win for all involved: Williams gets do to news with a touch of comedy, NBC replaces an anchor whose reputation has become questionable, and CC gets an exceptionally well known name to succeed the chair of its most valuable franchise.
I think Mr. Williams is THE replacement for Jon Stewart on the Daily Show. He can exaggerate as much as he likes while landing the late night slot he apparently desires.
I haven't trust news broadcasters since Walter Cronkite left CBS News. He wasn't a 'broadcaster' but a phenomenal journalist and truthsayer.
1
That just seems like a gross over reaction. So, he told a lie. Everybody does sometimes and exageration is commonly used to report the news. He was shamed and his squeaky clean image will be a little tarnished. He is still a decent reporter and there is no need to lay him off for 6 months. Maybe you could just have him appear on the Daily Show and let John Stewart rip him up a little.
1
I really don't understand where news anchors who sit behind a desk and read the news to us are lionized and paid outrageous salaries. Does this really look like a hard job?
1
This monstrous overkill by NBC is totally disproportionate to Brian Williams mistake and, as many commentators have noted, it highlights again the truly dreadful lies of the Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld world that have damaged this country and many others around the world.
3
Er,yeah seems like NBC trys to maintain higher standards of conduct for their principals then does such Murdock owned enterprises such as the Guardian and Fox News(bribing governmental officals/tapping the phones of victims of violence and paying off victims of celebrity stalkers-Yes you O'Riely! ). I'd call that a double standard but the spokes people of the Right would just laugh and simply feel pity for us folks who think there ARE still standards.
2
It's pretty clear that the six months is to work out a settlement of the preposterous $10 million a year contract Williams reportedly has just signed with NBC to continue as news reading preener par excellence for five more years. After that, he's gone.
NBC ought to take a not from CBS where the news reader, Pelley (Pelly) has brought the role back down to earth. If I watch any of the network news programs anymore, and I rarely do, it's CBS just because he does not get in the way of what he is reading or the reports he is introducing.
I noticed this week tuning in on one for a few minutes that the chief sponsor seemed to be Viking River Cruises with its adds full of comfortable looking upper middle class older white couple -- I have never seen a minority couple depicted in one of their ads.
When Viking is the chief advertiser along with Medicare plans you know who the audience is: It is older middle and upper middle class and you know what that means?
It means network news is dying along with its audience though it remains relevant because its audience probably has the highest level of voter turnout in the entire population. But network news, clearly, is not terribly relevant to most people under the age of 50.
Maybe Williams has a future as spokesman for an insurer or a cruise line. He has none in network television.
NBC ought to take a not from CBS where the news reader, Pelley (Pelly) has brought the role back down to earth. If I watch any of the network news programs anymore, and I rarely do, it's CBS just because he does not get in the way of what he is reading or the reports he is introducing.
I noticed this week tuning in on one for a few minutes that the chief sponsor seemed to be Viking River Cruises with its adds full of comfortable looking upper middle class older white couple -- I have never seen a minority couple depicted in one of their ads.
When Viking is the chief advertiser along with Medicare plans you know who the audience is: It is older middle and upper middle class and you know what that means?
It means network news is dying along with its audience though it remains relevant because its audience probably has the highest level of voter turnout in the entire population. But network news, clearly, is not terribly relevant to most people under the age of 50.
Maybe Williams has a future as spokesman for an insurer or a cruise line. He has none in network television.
2
Brian Williams Thought he was too big to fail. He joins Dan Rather in the hall of shame. Very unfortunate. RIP.
2
NBC is missing a real opportunity here. Instead of putting Brian Williams on leave (and installing the boring Lester Holt), they should have simply had him switch jobs with Seth Meyers. That would make both shows more entertaining and newsworthy!
Since Williams wants to be in entertainment, maybe he should resurrect the old "Battle of the Network Stars." Don't you want to see your favorite TV (and cable actors) competing against each other in sports events?
1
Hhhmmm...
While Brian Williams has been "embellishing his reportorial adventures (per Erik Wemple Blog) " - not a good thing, a kind of pathetic thing to do - CBS and Sixty Minutes still have Lara Logan on the payroll after a paid vacation for conspiring with a writer to invent a false story about Benghazi for Sixty Minutes, producing and presenting it, with no apparent supervision or oversight or meaningful consequences.
Hhmmm...personal tall tales vs. conspiring to lie and producing a lying news story about an actual event....hhmmm...personal tall tales vs conspiring to lie and producing a lying news story about an actual event...I'm just trying to figure out which one is really, really the greater evil.
And, this morning on CBS This Morning, CBS is running back slapping ads about how honest CBS News is.
While Brian Williams has been "embellishing his reportorial adventures (per Erik Wemple Blog) " - not a good thing, a kind of pathetic thing to do - CBS and Sixty Minutes still have Lara Logan on the payroll after a paid vacation for conspiring with a writer to invent a false story about Benghazi for Sixty Minutes, producing and presenting it, with no apparent supervision or oversight or meaningful consequences.
Hhmmm...personal tall tales vs. conspiring to lie and producing a lying news story about an actual event....hhmmm...personal tall tales vs conspiring to lie and producing a lying news story about an actual event...I'm just trying to figure out which one is really, really the greater evil.
And, this morning on CBS This Morning, CBS is running back slapping ads about how honest CBS News is.
1
Regarding Mr. Williams so-called misrepresentation, which upon review is revealed as essentially non-existent, I am reminded of Jesus' exhortation regarding hypocrisy: first remove the log from your own eye before you can see the speck in that of your brother. Mr. Williams is finally revealed to be human. Bring Back Brian!
1
It is my understanding he was in one of a pair of helicopters flying together and the other ship was hit by ground fire and forced to land. The undamaged ship landed in tandem which I believe would be normal procedure. If these are the facts it would be appropriate to state that he was forced to land due to damage from ground fire. It would not be appropriate to state his ship was hit by ground fire. Being that Brian may have willfully led people to believe he was on the ship hit by ground fire is an embellishment. That would not be appropriate for a leading spokesperson of what is perceived to be a reputable news organization. This is indeed unfortunate.
1
No that is incorrct. According to all pilots involved Mr. Williams' helicopter was 30 minutes to an hour behind the one that hit; was not in the same formation and was traveling in the opposite direction. Mr Williams helicopter was never hit by anything. He never witnessed the other helicopter being hit because he was nowhere near it. But in an interview not long after he claims that he actually looked down into the tube of the RPG that hit the other helicopter but even gasp saw the farmer launch the grenade. He did not. Sorry that is not just false and unethical of Williams'. It's cuckoo.
1
Alison,
You don't have a clue what happened, no more than I do, and a lot less than Williams does. First off, he was not able to see what was going on, and was relying on the feed that he had in his headphones. You can't hear very clearly through headphones on a chopper either. Some of the communication in that feed mentioned ground fire and copters being forced to land. It is perfectly reasonable that someone in that situation would be freaked out enough not to care which copter was which, and assume the worst.
He never said his copter was "shot down", just hit by ground fire. This could be a single bullet from a semi that wouldn't take the copter down, or show that much damage.
I still don't see the big lie here. What I see is a bunch of people trying to separate grey into black and white to serve their own agendas.
You don't have a clue what happened, no more than I do, and a lot less than Williams does. First off, he was not able to see what was going on, and was relying on the feed that he had in his headphones. You can't hear very clearly through headphones on a chopper either. Some of the communication in that feed mentioned ground fire and copters being forced to land. It is perfectly reasonable that someone in that situation would be freaked out enough not to care which copter was which, and assume the worst.
He never said his copter was "shot down", just hit by ground fire. This could be a single bullet from a semi that wouldn't take the copter down, or show that much damage.
I still don't see the big lie here. What I see is a bunch of people trying to separate grey into black and white to serve their own agendas.
12
Is there an official after action report by the senior man in charge of this mission that will give clarity to what happened? In instances like this you will often get several different versions of what transpired. In any event, if one of the choppers was damaged by ground fire there surely would be a record of it. I am not defending or condemning Brian Williams but would like to see a straight forward answer from a reputable source.
The nightly network newscasts too frequently aspire simply to entertain and advertise. Seemingly half the news presented consists of "reporting" on topics obviously geared toward ratings. A case in point: last night's evening news on ABC featured an "interview" with actor Michael Keaton, who has been nominated for an Academy Award. The segment concluded with the news anchor informing the audience that the awards ceremony show will be broadcast by ABC, and he announced the date and time of the broadcast. That wasn't news or newsworthy in any traditional sense. It was an advertisement for a prime-time entertainment special.
2
Nice coverage of Stewart & Williams - just curious is there any reason why you failed to mention Jon's view of the NYT's role in the Bush Administration's decision to invade Iraq - the ultimate LIE ever? And has anyone ever apologized for that error - or forced to take a 6 month leave. Reprint exactly what Jon Stewart (America's most trusted newsperson) had to say about the NYTs role in the Iraq War - dare you!
1
Give Brian Williams credit for this:
"Thank you Brian Williams, you added two words to my vocabulary - "conflate" and "misremember" ..."
I don't know about "conflate," but I think "misremember" now qualifies for a place in our lexicon. After all, George W. Bush once used it too. Languages change, adding new words all the time. (After all, did you ever hear "horrific" 30 years ago? Today, some writers can't get through a sentence without using it.)
I think "misremember" is not a bad word at all. Whether it applies here is quite another question, of course, but I certainly think we should add it to the English language.
"Thank you Brian Williams, you added two words to my vocabulary - "conflate" and "misremember" ..."
I don't know about "conflate," but I think "misremember" now qualifies for a place in our lexicon. After all, George W. Bush once used it too. Languages change, adding new words all the time. (After all, did you ever hear "horrific" 30 years ago? Today, some writers can't get through a sentence without using it.)
I think "misremember" is not a bad word at all. Whether it applies here is quite another question, of course, but I certainly think we should add it to the English language.
1
This is mixing apples and oranges. Yet a significantly much more shameful offense, in my opinion, is some of NBC's exploitive/pandering programming like "Sex Slaves" on MSNBC.
4
Will McAvoy is available.
3
Self aggrandizement is the American way. It is expected. The billion dollar cosmetic industry, the photoshopping of our selfies, the mad scramble to buff resumes for college admission ... are all required to succeed in our culture. Being ordinary is utterly unacceptable.
Even extraordinary successful individuals such as Mr. Williams, feel the toxic fallout from this madness.
Our economic system is built on convincing all of us we are never quite good enough.
Who will have the courage to refuse this totalitarian imposition of unrealistic standards for ourselves and our children?
Even extraordinary successful individuals such as Mr. Williams, feel the toxic fallout from this madness.
Our economic system is built on convincing all of us we are never quite good enough.
Who will have the courage to refuse this totalitarian imposition of unrealistic standards for ourselves and our children?
2
I don't think Williams should be fired for this - but I can understand everyone's dismay at what seems to be fabrication instead of lack of memory - I would remember if my helicopter were actually hit by ground fire, but what he 'did' experience was harrowing enough - his helicpoter 'could have' been hit he 'could have' been killed, it did have to land in the desert, and don't forget, we were illegally invading a country - we had no right to be there - all of this had to culminate in some sort of PTSD for a man not trained to be in the military. So whatever the case may be, I doubt if he were seeking any kind of glory - just being brave enough to go on that news reporting mission and putting himself in danger is enough - another reporter wound up dying from an embolism reporting on that war. So I say, Give Brian a break, if he has to take leave for a short time fine, but to fire a man that does his job well just for - - okay, maybe bragging a little - - he's a guy, that's what they do. Remember, no one died, because of Brian Williams, we should have fired Bush and Cheney for ever waging this war - and for all the sins they committed under the guise of 'protecting America,' while all the while they protected their portfolios.
1
The best current model is CBS with Scott Pelley in the evening and Charlie Rose in the morning, and reporters like Clarissa Ward and Holly Williams.
1
I can't help but feel a little remorseful, even in his doubt, for Brian Williams. I fully understand that an embellishment is not the way of trusted journalists, this is a man who has been in each of our homes on the Nightly News and eloquently given us each story. I am a big believe in second chances, and I think he's loved by enough of us American's to come back and stay. I would hate to see a day where he doesn't come back to NBC, he may have fallen from grace but the level of respect of someone like him doesn't waver over conflation.
Next to go should be Chuck Todd on Meet the Press. He admitted that if he asks politicians the tough questions they won't want to be on his show (?). And they wonder why Americans are so un/misinformed.
5
I hope this incident will persuade reporters that it is important to the American public (otherwise stigmitized by Williams' MANY apologists as bloodthirsty mob terrorists) that the integrity of the press is vitally important if we intend to survive as a democracy. The pettiness of Williams' motives doesn't excuse the very basic point, his disregard for truth. No, Michele C, things are never fair. However, Williams' very fame compared to Zakaria's was what garmered the attention of the twittering world, who knew him from his presence in their living rooms, on the news as the Voice of Truth and on late night as the Voice of Heroism. He was well on his way to being the Voice of God, and that does rile people. THIS isn't punishment, he just isn't a believable force to be telling the truth to all of those who believed in him. So proud of Peggy Noonan, and will have a little difficulty listening to Brooks this Friday.
1
Oh, I feel so much safer now! If NBC wants to improve their "news" department, how about telling us just one tenth of what we have to learn from Jon Stewart and Rachel Maddow? I really don't care that someone stretched the truth about a whirlybird ride.
1
The difference maker was not only the whirly bird ride, but a long history of embellishing - the gangs who stormed the Ritz during Katrina, the dead body in the water, the leaving the death bed of a good friend and Agent Orange victim to cover Diana's death, the mugging while loading Christmas trees for his church, the saving puppies while a volunteer fireman, and on and on. Williams established a pattern of lying which must have convinced the execs that he had lost all credibility and that more embellishments would be found because the media would keep digging. He should have been fired.
1
Six months without pay. That'll hurt. Instead of getting $10 million he'll only get $5 million.
3
Thank God! Let's move on to really serious stuff. Too much time and words have been wasted on this situation. Brian Williams has earned what he has received. It does not matter whether anyone else who has done similar things got punished or not. Just like when one drives wrecklessly -- if you get caught, you pay no matter if everyone else around you is doing the same thing. Let's move on with deciding who will take over. How about John Stewart? He is without a job and, God knows, one heck of a lot more trustworthy than this miscreant ever was! Just saying..........
1
I like Brian Willliams and I was sympathetic to his plight, until I read the Stars and Stripes exposé. Bottom line: Brian Williams has one of the greatest gigs in the world. He's paid $10 million a year to go to exotic places and read the news. It behooves him to get his stories right.
2
How is Brian Williams exaggeration any different from Hillary Clinton's false claim that she had been under sniper fire or the assertion she knew to be untrue that the attack on our embassy in Benghazi was caused by a video?
What about our US President's often-repeated false claim in support of his "Affordable Care Act" that "if you like your plan you can keep your plan?" NOT! One huge difference was that both Secretary of State Clinton and President Obama were on the government payroll when they told those lies. Do we have lower truth standards for those who're being paid with taxpayer dollars than we do for those who're being paid with advertising revenues? Just asking.
What about our US President's often-repeated false claim in support of his "Affordable Care Act" that "if you like your plan you can keep your plan?" NOT! One huge difference was that both Secretary of State Clinton and President Obama were on the government payroll when they told those lies. Do we have lower truth standards for those who're being paid with taxpayer dollars than we do for those who're being paid with advertising revenues? Just asking.
2
I could find distinctions for Hillary's Benghazi assertion, or for Obama's "You can keep your plan" statement. Those may have been honest mistakes (I suspect they were just that).
Hillary's "sniper fire" story is quite another matter. I don't see that one as different at all from Williams' story. She flat-out lied about that.
Hillary's "sniper fire" story is quite another matter. I don't see that one as different at all from Williams' story. She flat-out lied about that.
If Brian Williams is suspended for 6 months for embellishing a story then everyone at Fox "News" should be fired and the network should be SHUT DOWN.
7
Most people have a story about the size of the fish they caught. But here I'm afraid it just can not be honest errors in reporting can be forgiven this was not a honest error this was ego. The fork is in and he's done and rightly so.
1
What a weird decision by NBC News execs. Do they think Williams' wrecked credibility is like a bad haircut, that it will grow back in six months? I don't trust him now, and I won't trust him in six months. So, what's the point of the suspension?
1
He lied a lot, not a little. Plus, he softballed people like Tim Cook, just for ratings. No hard questions about Foxconn, massive profits, or anything else. Nothing of interest or value to the public came from that interview. Williams would rather hang around celebrities than be a true journalist in the public interest, and he should leave and not come back.
2
I work in a Medical Profession and if I were found to misrepresent information regarding anything related to my work, qualifications or patients I would likely be fired. The organization that credentials persons in my field would be notified and I would probably be subject to an ethics investigation and could lose my credentials- rendering my education and experience useless and unmarketable. I am quite sure the same is true of many professions.
Mr Williams' job is to be truthful and factual regarding the news of the day and is more than handsomely compensated for it. His error was not a single small comment but a repeated pattern of prevarication designed to make him look like something he was and is not- a soldier exposed to the dangers of combat. He wants the glory without earning it.
This is no different from people in the service who - in a less computerized time- "awarded" themselves medals and badges that were not earned. Such people, when found out, were not viewed kindly in my time in the service.
NBC needs to get rid of him. Nightly News is not "The World of Commander McBragg". NBC further needs to replace him with a real journalist- not a New York HQ News Reader. The job of Managing Editor is more important than that of the person reading the teleprompter and he is not worthy of the trust.
Mr Williams' job is to be truthful and factual regarding the news of the day and is more than handsomely compensated for it. His error was not a single small comment but a repeated pattern of prevarication designed to make him look like something he was and is not- a soldier exposed to the dangers of combat. He wants the glory without earning it.
This is no different from people in the service who - in a less computerized time- "awarded" themselves medals and badges that were not earned. Such people, when found out, were not viewed kindly in my time in the service.
NBC needs to get rid of him. Nightly News is not "The World of Commander McBragg". NBC further needs to replace him with a real journalist- not a New York HQ News Reader. The job of Managing Editor is more important than that of the person reading the teleprompter and he is not worthy of the trust.
4
Williams should count his lucky stars.
At least he was not punished as harshly as Fox News punished Bill O'Reilly when he:
1. Lied about his political party affiliation -- he was a registered Republican but said he was an Independent -- to help with the fig-leafing over at "fair and balanced" central.
2. He loufah-ed his way into and paid, by rumor, millions to slither out of a phone sex harassment suit brought by Fox News producer, Andrea Makris. a Fox employee.
3. He was outed by Al Franken over his own resume inflation moment for not having the broadcast Peabody Award he claimed he had.
NBC has lost my respect by not being up to the gold standard in probity and accountability for anchors set by Fox News.
At least he was not punished as harshly as Fox News punished Bill O'Reilly when he:
1. Lied about his political party affiliation -- he was a registered Republican but said he was an Independent -- to help with the fig-leafing over at "fair and balanced" central.
2. He loufah-ed his way into and paid, by rumor, millions to slither out of a phone sex harassment suit brought by Fox News producer, Andrea Makris. a Fox employee.
3. He was outed by Al Franken over his own resume inflation moment for not having the broadcast Peabody Award he claimed he had.
NBC has lost my respect by not being up to the gold standard in probity and accountability for anchors set by Fox News.
You left out that O'Reilly claimed he'd been "in combat" when he really meant he'd covered the Faukland's war as a correspondent.
1
Where is Bob Woodruff, an anchor who was seriously injured in Iraq? Perhaps network news isn't ready to deal with the true consequences of dangerous journalistic reporting.
2
I find the comments in NYT very revealing about the mind set of its readers, presumably the folks who think that average person in the country is stupid.
There is a lot of angst about Bush and Cheney lying about WMD. It is forgotten that they faced an election and majority of people reelected them. It appears that American parents no longer teach their children that ' he did it so I did ' is never an excuse. Also the memory of politicians ' lies' is selective. What about ' I did not have sex with that woman' , and the 'vast right wing conspiracy '?
The reason Brian has to be fired is that he and his employer projected him as trustworthy, which he proved to be a falsehood. He has a need to project himself larger than he is( may be complex from not having a degree), and sitting out for six months is unlikely to cure it , unless he spends those on a couch and takes some of the drugs advertised on the news program.
There is a lot of angst about Bush and Cheney lying about WMD. It is forgotten that they faced an election and majority of people reelected them. It appears that American parents no longer teach their children that ' he did it so I did ' is never an excuse. Also the memory of politicians ' lies' is selective. What about ' I did not have sex with that woman' , and the 'vast right wing conspiracy '?
The reason Brian has to be fired is that he and his employer projected him as trustworthy, which he proved to be a falsehood. He has a need to project himself larger than he is( may be complex from not having a degree), and sitting out for six months is unlikely to cure it , unless he spends those on a couch and takes some of the drugs advertised on the news program.
2
Its us who should be called to task. We have put these guys somewhere they should have never been. These newsreaders are to be respected for reading the news. Maybe we need to think of where we put our trust and why we put it there. Maybe we all need to read more and trust flash less
2
It's one of America's Prime Passions:
Build Em' Up & then Tear Em' Down.
Build Em' Up & then Tear Em' Down.
1
He should be fired. No chance of coming back., He lied repeatedly and is being rewarded with a six month vacation. With his income you don't really think not being paid is going to affect him much do you? He has lost all credibility and should be gone.
3
Can we maybe just for once, act like adults? Has anyone watching Brian Williams ever embellished anything in their lives? Probably all of us. NBC's response to this is totally outrageous; they are simply pandering to those who want to "trust" a news anchor. Why do people have a need to "trust" a T.V. personality? A sad commentary on the state of our mental health and value system. Let the man apologize and continue to provide a T.V. show liked by millions.
2
Part of me feels sorry for Mr. Williams. Who among us has not said or done something regretful or stupid? It's not that his transgressions seem so great.
On the other hand, American network television "news" feeds on simplistic "gotcha" stories. He is part of a system that seeks to take down every other political leader or celebrity who commits similar transgressions. In that way, he became a victim of the system that supported him.
On the other hand, American network television "news" feeds on simplistic "gotcha" stories. He is part of a system that seeks to take down every other political leader or celebrity who commits similar transgressions. In that way, he became a victim of the system that supported him.
1
"Embattled"?
He's brought every ounce of this upon himself.
He's brought every ounce of this upon himself.
5
I have always been an avid fan of Brian Williams. I feel that a six - month suspension is a bit much for the bloated story that he told. I am in shock that NBC has taken this step, and I have decided to switch to another station for my evening news for that reason. Too bad Brian - please know that your fans are still behind you.
3
Saturday Night Live comes calling.
1
In the grand scheme of things, Brian Williams, and the whole he's dug for himself, is just not that important. I wish NBC would sever its ties with him, hire another talking head to replace him and we can all move on.
2
Lying Wiliams won't be trusted again.. He like Hilliary lied about the war zone. Each should just go away.
3
Poor Brian Williams. He'll probably never work in television again. I can just picture him now...staggering out of Central Park, drink in hand, no bronzer, unshaven...begging to give you an autograph.
But hey, at least he's still alive after his "brush" with danger.
But hey, at least he's still alive after his "brush" with danger.
2
So what if Brian Williams identified so much with the people in this event that he felt it happened to him personally... we love Brian Williams for his empathy...
1
The NYT published literature from researchers discussing how easy it is to "mis - remember" details when stories are retold under different circumstances- in scenarios asking to be entertained. So perhaps it really was an unintentional error. This six month "punishment" is ridiculous. Either let him wing it & do an all out apology from his heart on air - and see what comes of his explanation - or fire him. But if he is punished for not being a person of integrity - is six months going to change such a character issue. If he really wants it that bad - he should look into the camera and say "please trust me - I will NEVER let you down". 6 months to do what? Is this just buying NBC time to determine who & what next?
1
These are only people that read the news. Stop putting them on a pedestal and worshipping them. The fact that Americans worry about the honesty of the guy that reads the news shows you the intellectual backruptcy of the american public. Everybody in this world has an agenda, it may be personal, professional or instititional. Do you really think New York Times editorial board is honest? They definitely have an agenda and are not afraid to push it. The facts are always twisted to suit the agenda.
5
Williams' alleged exaggerations are based on events that occurred while he was technically the anchor, but also functioning as a reporter from the field. On top of that he is (was?) the Managing Editor of NBC News, so he is definitely more than a "news reader" and should be held to a higher standard. Some are perhaps "conflating" his actual role with that of a mere news reader.
1
What's wrong with having an "agenda" -- i.e. a political and moral viewpoint? It doesn't make you a liar.
The temporary suspension is a fairly standard ploy for what is really a termination in stages. It is a bit harsher than Williams taking a "leave of absence" and probably was used so NBC could try to salvage its integrity by taking a stand that his behavior was wrong. Even for someone as high profile as Mr. Williams, it gives him some time to find another platform, selling himself as slightly damaged goods, as opposed to totally destroyed merchandise. I also assume the specifics were driven by a careful legal analysis of his contract and other terms of employment, so that NBC can ultimately pay as little of his contract as possible. Unfortunately for Mr. Williams, absent some unlikely sleight of hand restoration of his public integrity, he is probably looking at a very different future than he once anticipated.
1
Travis Tritten, the intrepid Stars and Stripes reporter who broke this story, should be nominated for a Pulitzer
And Mr. Williams should return the Peabody Awards he received for his questionable reporting on Katrina.
And Mr. Williams should return the Peabody Awards he received for his questionable reporting on Katrina.
3
Brian Williams and others get into trouble when they begin to believe they ARE the news, not merely reporters of the news. Too many reporters and commentators try to create news and therefore write history rather than being an unbiased conduit for the truth.
3
NBC have the best anchor under its nose. Lester Holt. He's excellent mostly because I have no idea what his politics are.
I wonder why CBS & ABC didn't make a play for him when each of those networks recently mamed new anchors.
I wonder why CBS & ABC didn't make a play for him when each of those networks recently mamed new anchors.
2
It's puzzling why he would even bother with it anymore. The guy probably has fifty million in the bank. And money invested all over the place. Just bail out, and drop a cool million on a little, lush spread in Costa Rica. Transfer the rest of the dough to a bank down there, and spend the rest of your days puttering around in paradise. Helicopter? What helicopter??
1
He didn't get where he is by being the kind of guy who could be happy outside the spotlight.
Brian hurt me. Although by the time NBC Nightly News airs, all the news that fits the screen is already old news, but because Brian Williams read the news to "me," it seemed to make it more credible. The suspension will eventually turn into termination, because Brian can never gain his credibility back. I suggest for Mr. Williams' next career, that he become a lecturer of Media Ethics, but at a university, not on the scale of Columbia, but at a school well west of the Hudson River, out here in the "provinces," where Brian may actually become a respected academic, lighting the minds of young men and women who will one day deliver the news on a completely different platform as we have today. Brian, I will miss you, and I will miss Michael Douglas as well . . . and so it goes . . .
1
Sure punish Williams. But how about some consistency? When do we punish war criminals like Cheney & Bush. What about all the fake reporters ( not the Daily Show) who were lapdogs and willingly lied this country into a disastrous war? What about all the faux reporters who went on "news" shows reading PR releases as if they were true?
And if we are punishing lies-Then Fox News should be held to the same standard and every fact-checking organization of merit ans given them a zero!
Oh but wait! Media has it's sacrificial lamb so nothing else to see here?
And if we are punishing lies-Then Fox News should be held to the same standard and every fact-checking organization of merit ans given them a zero!
Oh but wait! Media has it's sacrificial lamb so nothing else to see here?
6
I have not respected network "journalists" since they embedded with American troops during the invasion of Iraq. I get my news from PBS.
3
Mr. Williams shouldn't despair of future work: I hear "The Daily Show" may be needing an anchor soon.
A mainstream media jerk gets his due!
2
What will Hillary's punishment be?
2
I am only sorry that so much about media coverage of the war in Iraq failed to convey the tragedy of war in general and what we know to have been the needless Iraq war in particular. Reading the accounts of war by Ernie Pyle in the past few days, shows me how far reporters have come from portraying the ceaseless tragedy of war.
4
I didn't watch Mr. Williams all that much, and I think his punishment is appropriate. Yet, I can't help but feel a bit sorry for him. What would cause a person to risk so much for a lie that he didn't need to tell? His career was already a good one, with many awards and accolades. It baffles me.
Then, there's the executives at NBC. I find it nearly impossible that at least some of them knew about Mr. Williams' lies. Why didn't they sit down with him and sternly tell him that he was risking his career and that he didn't need to do this. If they k new, and did nothing, they are as guilty as he is.
Then, there's the executives at NBC. I find it nearly impossible that at least some of them knew about Mr. Williams' lies. Why didn't they sit down with him and sternly tell him that he was risking his career and that he didn't need to do this. If they k new, and did nothing, they are as guilty as he is.
4
Patrick, you say you find it difficult to believe that NBC executives didn't know these were lies. But why should they? Williams was in Iraq in 2003 in helicopters that took RPG fire. Maybe not his in particular. But they knew he was in the war zone.
All of us should think of the best stories we tell of our lives from ten, fifteen years ago, and honestly ask whether we haven't burnished the most interesting parts of them. I feel bad for Williams. NBC had to take some action. But I for one would be happy to see him back as an anchor in the future. We can be sure that everything he says will be fact-checked!
All of us should think of the best stories we tell of our lives from ten, fifteen years ago, and honestly ask whether we haven't burnished the most interesting parts of them. I feel bad for Williams. NBC had to take some action. But I for one would be happy to see him back as an anchor in the future. We can be sure that everything he says will be fact-checked!
If you watch the compilation video, it seems like when Brian reports it, it sounds similar each time, but when the other broadcaster at the event in 2015 makes the announcement, the story changes. Did Brian give him the information to announce? I don't think he changed the story intentionally. When you are in a stressful warzone, your memory might be affected in the future retelling. Plus there are lots of theories about memory in general and how it can be unreliable or change over time. It just so happens his memories are reported and recorded and rebroadcast. This NYT article, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/22/health/study-shows-brain-stores-seemin... , talks about how memory in a stressful situation can not always be reliable.
1
True. From what I've seen, he first reported that there were four helicopters; he was in the second. After the first was hit by an RPG, it and the others landed. I haven't seen him claim to have been on the first. I did read several reports that the second copter may have taken a few small arms rounds, but I don't know if they are accurate.
On the Letterman show Williams refers to "we" not I, evidently including his TV guys and all of the and helicopter crews, being endangered. He expresses his gratitude to the soldiers who set up a perimeter of protection. The Nightly News report that brought about this latest controversy last week involved a tribute during a Ranger game to one of the soldiers who kept BW and his staff safe, whom he thanked and hugged on camera. If BW embellished the story, I guess he will have to pay the price, but so far there has not been a clear explanation of what he reported vs what actually happened. Until there is, I plan to reserve judgment.
On the Letterman show Williams refers to "we" not I, evidently including his TV guys and all of the and helicopter crews, being endangered. He expresses his gratitude to the soldiers who set up a perimeter of protection. The Nightly News report that brought about this latest controversy last week involved a tribute during a Ranger game to one of the soldiers who kept BW and his staff safe, whom he thanked and hugged on camera. If BW embellished the story, I guess he will have to pay the price, but so far there has not been a clear explanation of what he reported vs what actually happened. Until there is, I plan to reserve judgment.
If we are honest with ourselves, I think that we would all admit that we have or do sometimes lie. Some of us drive under the influence. These things are wrong and should not happen. But when you are a newscaster and your JOB is to tell people the truth or when you are a police officer and your JOB is to stop drunks from driving, it makes things different. You are, or should be, held to a higher standard. Mr. Williams broke the public trust. He needs to be disciplined and/ or dismissed from his position.
2
"Facts" is the heart of the matter. News reports go for tears and emotions now instead of reporting facts. The programs are little-news (often repeats day-to-day) with almost no real stories covered.
If Williams had not had this emote-orientation he might have been inclined to habitually check his facts.
That he had improved significantly from his former persona of opinion over facts makes this even more pointed to the culture.
Even BBC has slipped into this.
"Today" is news??? Cult of the personality by any other name is still cheap entertainment.
I agree that this is unfair, because this is the "news" culture now.
If Williams had not had this emote-orientation he might have been inclined to habitually check his facts.
That he had improved significantly from his former persona of opinion over facts makes this even more pointed to the culture.
Even BBC has slipped into this.
"Today" is news??? Cult of the personality by any other name is still cheap entertainment.
I agree that this is unfair, because this is the "news" culture now.
3
Thank you Brian Williams, you added two words to my vocabulary - "conflate" and "misremember" as in "I will never conflate lying and misremembering."
3
Mr. Williams made a mistake, perhaps several mistakes -- but they were not malicious or intentional. His words did not put anyone in danger, nor did he put forth those un-truths with an expectation of financial gain. I don't understand what suspending him for six months will accomplish. And yes, I can still trust him as a reporter. (But, in his place, knowing that John Stewart is leaving the Daily Show, I'd put in a resume over at Comedy Central. Stewart's job has got to be a whole lot more fun than reading the news...)
5
NBC must share some of the blame for Mr. Williams' troubles as they have allowed him to parade his celebrity and hubris on network comedy shows, elevating his "story-telling" for laughs. I know times have changed but can anyone imagine Walter Cronkite appearing on SNL? No, because he took his job and the trust that went with it seriously. The mixing of news and entertainment have led, inevitably, to a dumbing down of serious issues to the point where evening newscasts are a cocktail of cute animal videos, heartwarming health stories with a foreign report thrown in for reality adjustment.
6
A media example of "stolen valor."
3
Williams shot himself in the foot and needed to go--permanently. But then who takes these people seriously. They're news readers looking into teleprompters. The lives of all anchor creatures are, let's face it, numbered--lying and plagiarism notwithstanding.
OK, he lied; not a good thing, especially from a journalist... But it didn't result in a $3,000,000,000,000 in which 100,000 people died and America gained a reputation as a torturer. Why don't we hold some of those feet to the fire?
9
Brian Williams may be displaying symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from his experience as a civilian in a war zone. Please tell him to consult with psychological experts to help him understand this!
1
David Brooks summed up the situation nicely yesterday: "There’s something sad in Brian Williams’s need to puff up his Iraq adventures and something barbaric in the public response."
I'm sorry it's come to a suspension, and I'm sorry Brian Williams lost sight of reality. That said, I've always preferred Lester Holt's no-nonsense style and hope NBC gives him a serious shot as primary anchor.
I'm sorry it's come to a suspension, and I'm sorry Brian Williams lost sight of reality. That said, I've always preferred Lester Holt's no-nonsense style and hope NBC gives him a serious shot as primary anchor.
6
Matt Lauer has his own problems. I believe Lester Holt would be an excellent NBC news anchor. He is distinguished, professional and most of all truthful. I believe Lester Holt would be an excellent choice to replace Brian Williams. Lets see what happens at the end of six months. If all goes well, Mr. Holt should be promoted from substitute to permanent anchor.
5
While I don't know the sheer number of stories Mr. Williams has covered over the years I find it very difficult to believe he "conflated" stories and "inadvertently" reported he was on the helicopter that was shot at. I'm not a reporter nor have I served in the military but I think I could tell the difference. He lied pure and simple. Further had no doubt NBC knew and now that it is out are hard pressed not to do something about it. I believe that what Mr. Williams did dishonors our military who put their lives on the line every day. He should have been fired.
1
Williams was a talking head who read the corporate party line for half an hour five days a week on "network" TV. So hire someone else. Better yet, use a hologram. The Fourth Estate is dead and has been for some time.
2
Even assuming Mr. Williams made up or exaggerated the story about flying in a helicopter in Iraq or about his stay at the Ritz during Hurricane Katrina, I have to feel the criticism and NBC's response is over the top. If he had lied or exaggerated about facts in a news story he was presenting--if he had gotten a news story wrong--then he should be fired. But he didn't lie or exaggerate about a news story; he lied or exaggerated (or misremembered perhaps) about personal experiences that happened to him while he covering a story. The distinction is important. I don't really care all that much if he exaggerates his personal experiences about things that are in themselves not particularly noteworthy or newsworthy. If we say that someone who lies once lies always and cannot be trusted, then no one can. I like Mr. Williams and think he does a great job for what he does. If he exaggerates some of his personal experiences--like we all do--I say give him a break.
3
Personally, I think the reaction to this is overblown. We are all human. We all make mistakes. He apologized. If only the standards for determining the content of the worldwide news for the American public matched the standards for the anchors reporting it. This is the real issue. We get "candy-coated" TV newscasts. Only CBS comes anywhere close to real reporting. I increasingly watch the BBC newscasts.
For Mr. Williams, perhaps this incident reflects a pushing of the envelope, a frustration with the limitation of the role compared to what he'd really like to do. It may be an opportunity for him to take on a role or career direction more to his liking. He's obviously an immensely talented man. The American public likes Brian Williams, and they can be very flexible and forgiving as good people work to rebuild their lives.
For Mr. Williams, perhaps this incident reflects a pushing of the envelope, a frustration with the limitation of the role compared to what he'd really like to do. It may be an opportunity for him to take on a role or career direction more to his liking. He's obviously an immensely talented man. The American public likes Brian Williams, and they can be very flexible and forgiving as good people work to rebuild their lives.
3
Why such vitriol? False memory seems like an explanation for what has happened here. It is the first thing I thought when this came to light. I really question the accusations labeling his behavior lying. He is a journalist who has a reputation here, doesn't seem logical for him to ly and not think it would come out and ruin him.
1
I can see perfectly how and why this happened. Williams watches daily as young bloods like Richard Engel dodge fire in exciting and dangerous places. Meanwhile, Williams makes only the occasional foray into these places himself. As an aging anchor, he's making up his own exciting history. Sad, and unacceptable. I was an admirer, now, not so much.
If NBC wants to rehab its reputation and credibility, it could begin by donating that $5M to help restore Walter Reed Hospital to its rightful status as the leading caregiver of damaged U.S. veterans.
1
Hal,
Maybe George W. Bush should sell his presidential library building and donate the money to Walter Reed military hospital to take care of wounded veterans he recklessly sent into un unnecessary war?
Maybe George W. Bush should sell his presidential library building and donate the money to Walter Reed military hospital to take care of wounded veterans he recklessly sent into un unnecessary war?
1
Hal,
Maybe George W. Bush should sell his presidential library building and donate the money to Walter Reed military hospital to take care of wounded veterans he recklessly sent into an unnecessary war?
Maybe George W. Bush should sell his presidential library building and donate the money to Walter Reed military hospital to take care of wounded veterans he recklessly sent into an unnecessary war?
Eye witness accounts can be unreliable particular at war. I'm more outraged Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfeld lied about WMDs and Saddam's love of bin Ladden to march us into one of the worst military blunders in American history. I'm sure ISIS is glad Bush created an environment where they rape and pillage.
6
Eye witness accounts can be unreliable particular at war. I'm more outraged Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfeld lied about WMDs and Saddam's love of bin Ladden to march us into one of the worst military blunders in American history. I'm sure ISIS is glad Bush created an environment where they rape and pillage.
Maybe Jon Stewart could take his job. He's got cred and will soon be available....
1
Brian gets suspended for lying about getting shot at and Hillary Clinton in 2008 gets a pass when she came out with the story of getting shot at and then later blames the Benghazi attack on a video?? Perhaps Brian should go into politics.
1
This Brian Williams story is going to inflict serious problems into Hillary's campaign...the GOP is going to have a field day in campaign ads comparing her to BW
"Mr. Holt, who had been the weekend anchor for NBC, was not previously considered a likely replacement."
I can't think of a single reason why Lester Holt would not be considered "a likely replacement".
He got more than enough chops to handle that job, he does it now without breaking a sweat.
When he substitutes for Brian, I still tune in and don't feel like I'm watching a "second stringer". And they certainly won't have to worry about him embellishing any "war stories", he is as "no nonsense" as they come.
Just give him the job, no need to overthink it.
I can't think of a single reason why Lester Holt would not be considered "a likely replacement".
He got more than enough chops to handle that job, he does it now without breaking a sweat.
When he substitutes for Brian, I still tune in and don't feel like I'm watching a "second stringer". And they certainly won't have to worry about him embellishing any "war stories", he is as "no nonsense" as they come.
Just give him the job, no need to overthink it.
3
Too bad that nobody seems to have the power to suspend the true fabricators of the 'truth' about the Iraq war: Bush and Cheney.
They should have been suspended, preferably by their ankles!
They should have been suspended, preferably by their ankles!
4
Today, Allan Kelly, one if the three pilots with Williams on the Vhinook has given his first interview. He says that:
-their helicopter never come under any fire
-they never were in any danger
-Williams spent the entire trip complaining about his cars: http://www.stripes.com/news/veteran-recounts-brian-williams-ditching-med...
-their helicopter never come under any fire
-they never were in any danger
-Williams spent the entire trip complaining about his cars: http://www.stripes.com/news/veteran-recounts-brian-williams-ditching-med...
1
My Mother always reminded me, "No one can hurt you like you can hurt yourself."
2
How can their be so much meaness and jealousy amoung the news folks? Brian Williams was #1 for a reason, because people overwhelming feel they can trust him and he is very likable. Shame on you and let's just hope your body of work will be held to the same scrutiny. I will be one of the folks watching when he returns. In the meantime, the Nightly News is also the sum of all the OTHER excellent reporters.
Just goes to show the general public (the viewers) how the "propaganda" machine has made them into robots.
Just curious as to why Lester Holt is not considered a likely replacement. He comes across well on screen, seems solid and trustworthy. It's READING the news, folks, not exactly rocket science. The biggest mistake Brian William made was trying to turn it into something more. Yes, the Anchor should be well educated and up to date on what he is reading, but he doesn't really need to come in with a crown on his head.
He's gone baby, gone. What does he say in six months? "Good evening, this is the new and more honest Brian Williams reporting from Harlem with bullets whizzing around my head" Guy in the next urinal "Dude, you are in the Denny's bathroom- I am from Harlem, I know Harlem and this ain't it."
2
How smug and judgmental are the heads of NBC, never having been in a war zone themselves.
Brian Williams does not deserve this. I was a long time viewer of NBC nightly news but no longer.
Brian Williams does not deserve this. I was a long time viewer of NBC nightly news but no longer.
2
Well, at least NBC acted somewhat decisively to salvage their credibility. FOX News should take notice because they're constantly making stuff up.
1
An appropriate & honest response -- for the time being. This gives everyone a breather. And we must congratulate NBC for the honesty of its statements in announcing this suspension. Note that such honesty was not reflected or implied in Williams' so-called confession unless we take his being too much in the news very broadly & deeply.
I think he cannot return after a decade of falsehood in offering imaginary embellishments which, characteristically, placed him in the midst of dangers & adventures, brave soul!
I think he cannot return after a decade of falsehood in offering imaginary embellishments which, characteristically, placed him in the midst of dangers & adventures, brave soul!
If you read that Brian Williams claimed to be at the Super Bowl, I can vouch for him, I have a picture of him there on my phone. If he claims to have made the game-winning interception, he's a stone-cold LIAR! Butler did it! It was Butler and it was unbelievable!!!!
Oh, I have gotten off the subject, haven't I?
Oh, I have gotten off the subject, haven't I?
1
A 6 month suspension without pay is the type of sanction used by major league sports ....NOT major league news divisions. NBC just doesn't get it...
In my view these TV personalities are only newsreaders. They are not "wise people." I don't turn to them for guidance or insight, and I never expect a detailed and full story to be reported on television news, which is really just platform for advertising. Could the networks be fooling themselves with a false sense of gravitas for all that they offer?
I would have hoped to see NBC put Mr. Williams into a reporting role - one where he really is in the middle of the action - and then ask him to report objectively. Make him do it until he appears to be competent and accomplished as a reporter. Then, and only then, reconsider him for the anchor chair.
1
I object to the notion that "Walter Cronkite, Tom Brokaw and Peter Jennings" were accorded equal amounts of respect. Mr. Cronkite was a true reporter, with a degree in journalism and experience as a newspaper reporter - a "newsman." His peers were such luminaries as Chet Huntley and David Brinkley, and Howard Smith. When Mr. Brokaw succeeded Mr. Brinkley at NBC, the credibility of network anchors was already diminished, making way for the likes of superficial television personalities like Brian Williams. James Brooks' incisive satire, "Broadcast News," depicting the takeover of network news by mere telegenic copy readers, was a thinly veiled skewering of Mr. Brokaw and his ilk.
3
Interesting that Williams was asking to replace Leno.
Leno is marginally funnier.
This incident is not.
Leno is marginally funnier.
This incident is not.
1
Wait, who's gonna tell us tall tales about fake harrowing ordeals in war zones to make themselves seem more important? Nevermind. We still have HILLARY!
Before this is over he'll be answering to Whoopi Goldberg or Oprah
2
"The skinny at NBC is that he will never be back."
You don't suspend someone for 6 months without pay unless you're confident you have "Cause" under his employment agreement to terminate him. If you've got "Cause," is it plausible you'd ever bring him back?
I could imagine NBC offering Williams some lesser job, but I can't imagine him taking it. He'll let a decent interval pass, and show up somewhere else.
You don't suspend someone for 6 months without pay unless you're confident you have "Cause" under his employment agreement to terminate him. If you've got "Cause," is it plausible you'd ever bring him back?
I could imagine NBC offering Williams some lesser job, but I can't imagine him taking it. He'll let a decent interval pass, and show up somewhere else.
For all the public hand-wringing of Brian Williams's corporate bosses, they are at least partially at fault for allowing his tendency to exaggerate to go unchecked. More importantly, there appears to be a culture of "corporate synergy" infecting NBC News and (by extension) NBCUniversal and Comcast.
Why Tom Brokaw had any business filing a "news story" about "Unbroken" (the big Universal holiday release) on December 26th -- on NBC Nightly News yet -- is beyond me. Or the commercial tie-ins (so to speak) for "Fifty Shades" on the Today Show this week? Seems like those corporate friends in high places have some explaining to do, not just Mr. Williams, about how to compromise a news operation.
Why Tom Brokaw had any business filing a "news story" about "Unbroken" (the big Universal holiday release) on December 26th -- on NBC Nightly News yet -- is beyond me. Or the commercial tie-ins (so to speak) for "Fifty Shades" on the Today Show this week? Seems like those corporate friends in high places have some explaining to do, not just Mr. Williams, about how to compromise a news operation.
A six-month suspension tells me that others at NBC knew and were complicit. Williams will "decide" to resign anyway. If NBC promotes Savannah Guthrie then the apocalypse is upon us. I can't think of a worse news reader. Having not watched TV news with regularity in years, I'm sure there are others I've overlooked!
1
I think Lester Holt is a fine replacement. Or Jon Stewart is available...
Brian Williams should resign and so should Fareed Zakaria. How can we trust them in future reporting or analyses?
1
We accepted a phony President and his phony war, but when a phony talking head shows up, that's just too much for us to bear. Could there maybe, just maybe, be something deeper nagging at us than the question of what round hit what chopper?
2
So long forever NBC News. Contrary to what you seem to believe, we ain't stupid. On the bright side, considering John Stewart's news, two down!
It's actually AMAZING he lasted as long as he did. One more example of Hubris!
It's too bad the bar is set so low.
It's too bad the bar is set so low.
Maybe he can make his comeback being an Anchor on SNL's Weekend Update? So much good material for the SNL brilliant team of writers!
I have all but abandoned visual news media after names like Jennings and Cronkite left the scene. The fact Mr. Williams inflated the facts of his experiences in Iraq must be considered alongside the equally concerning issue that NBC News itself did nothing about the exaggeration although the presence of other NBC news personnel had to have been aware of Mr. Williams' misleading account of the incident.
NBC News isn't burnishing its credibility as a news organization by placing the majority of the responsibility for Mr. Williams' inflated account going unchallenged and uncorrected until the Stars & Stripes received the tip and started fact checking.
Long ago in televised news environment far, far away there were numerous staff who checked and triple checked just about every period that was spoken on TV. Networks like NBC News drastically cut these positions and decided to focus on more "personality" and image of its news organizations instead of journalistic integrity. In my view NBC News is equally culpable for Mr. Williams' intentional embellishment of his helicopter incident.
NBC News isn't burnishing its credibility as a news organization by placing the majority of the responsibility for Mr. Williams' inflated account going unchallenged and uncorrected until the Stars & Stripes received the tip and started fact checking.
Long ago in televised news environment far, far away there were numerous staff who checked and triple checked just about every period that was spoken on TV. Networks like NBC News drastically cut these positions and decided to focus on more "personality" and image of its news organizations instead of journalistic integrity. In my view NBC News is equally culpable for Mr. Williams' intentional embellishment of his helicopter incident.
1
He and Nancy Sneiderman should both be fired.
And turns out, Williams wanted Jay Leno's job. He obviously wants to be a celebrity. Let him marry a kardasian
And turns out, Williams wanted Jay Leno's job. He obviously wants to be a celebrity. Let him marry a kardasian
2
We're all adults and I don't think any of us expects pristine separation of the news from entertainment anymore. Williams has been anxious to get deeper into the entertainment side of the business and he seems to have accomplished that, it's NBC thats out of step with the times.
I'm sympathetic towards williams, for decades he's always been on the outside looking in and then he finds himself at a hockey game with his pseudo combat buddies and the beer and the war stories start flowing.
Williams told a war story,almost everybody who has been in combat, especially those with a minor involvement, is entitled to tell war stories, it's part of being a red-blooded male type American. Sheesh...
I'm sympathetic towards williams, for decades he's always been on the outside looking in and then he finds himself at a hockey game with his pseudo combat buddies and the beer and the war stories start flowing.
Williams told a war story,almost everybody who has been in combat, especially those with a minor involvement, is entitled to tell war stories, it's part of being a red-blooded male type American. Sheesh...
What about hosting the Daily Show?
Viacom is looking for someone to replace Jon Stewart.
Making up news is a solid and necessary talent for comedy.
Viacom is looking for someone to replace Jon Stewart.
Making up news is a solid and necessary talent for comedy.
It seems Brian Williams is the only public figure paying the price for America's Iraq disaster. Bush, Cheney, Powell and company lied and millions died, where is their punishment?
5
In regards to Mr. Williams actual reporting of the news, I will bet there are no discrepancies in his professional reporting of it. In his, and your, personal life have you have had some life experiences that you wanted to share. Sometimes you felt the story was an exciting one. Over time your telling of the events in that story grows. I will bet you have added to it, to make it more interesting and exciting? It is sad that Mr. Williams will likely keep his vast number of personal experiences, and personal stories, to himself out of fear of that story being scrubbed for accuracy and detail...
2
as usual we want to have our cake and eat it too. we want the news to be "entertaining", but expect the anchor to be a perfect journalist. it's simply not possible. Brian Williams was good at bridging that divide, but he tripped and fell into the abyss. no more TV network news for me, I'm done.
1
I feel sorry for Brian Williams. Why did he lie? What made him blow up his long career and potential with a few words? My heart goes out to him and his family and all the staff touched by his mistake. There are more terrible, atrocious events happening in the world today. I do not want to take away the severity of lying . It just seems like Brian Williams screwed up thinking he was doing the right thing.
I could not care less what happens to Brian Williams, a completely replaceable TV news reader, but there's a teachable moment in this mess for parents: Don't tell lies. It doesn't matter how famous or powerful you may be-- someday the falsehood will be revealed, and you will regret have perpetrated it.
1
He was a good reader of news copy, but in the end, just another wind bag with a resume stuffed with lies. He's not the first, nor will he be the last to do this. Perhaps fiction writing will be a good retirement occupation for him. What a mess he's made for himself and everyone around him. Another sad example of hubris unchecked.
1
It should be permanent.
1
I have an uncle who embellishes, I don't believe he really ever did all those heroic things, the rescuing of a bridge jumper (twice), the marriage to the potato farm magnate, I don't believe it. He hates potatoes. I'm going to call him and tell him I can not see him for 6 months. You don't lie about potatoes and get away with it, not in this avuncular business.
2
It's hard to be without work and steady income for six months. Can Brian Williams find another kind of job to tide him and his family over? If he's not reinstated at NBC, he must absolutely find another way to earn a living. What can he do? Is he a writer? A teacher? Can he change his name? What's going to happen to him?
He isn't selling gloves at Macy's, he's a gazillionaire. He'll be fine for six months financially and will only miss being a hotshot on TV. Maybe he should spend some time volunteering and working with those less fortunate than himself. He should take care not to turn those volunteer activities into yet another "look at me!!!" story.
This would never have happened except for the internet. Count the news business as another one (like music, publishing, real estate -- the list goes on and on) where business as usual no longer exists because the speed and efficacy of the internet trumps all when it comes to fact-checking, sharing information, getting to the truth.
What is happening here to Mr. Williams -- and what is happening to Mr. Cosby, and perhaps even catching Mr. Madoff -- couldn't have happened just a few years ago because we weren't as plugged in as we are now.
Get used to it. This is the future. Anyone thinking of telling a lie or taking advantage of someone or embezzling money should think long and hard about it. It's not "if" you'll get caught, but "when."
What is happening here to Mr. Williams -- and what is happening to Mr. Cosby, and perhaps even catching Mr. Madoff -- couldn't have happened just a few years ago because we weren't as plugged in as we are now.
Get used to it. This is the future. Anyone thinking of telling a lie or taking advantage of someone or embezzling money should think long and hard about it. It's not "if" you'll get caught, but "when."
1
It's befuddling how many people think Williams should come back. This isn't about liking him, it's about urging one of the few remaining powerful media companies to make sure that its -- albeit celebrity-starved -- news anchors can, at the very least, be truthful. Be sharp in interviews. Be above reproach when they ask difficult questions that cannot be easily swapped away with, "Brian, I remember your adventures in Iraq, during Katrina at the Ritz Carlton..." More than ever, our news outlets have to adhere to the highest standards of journalism, even within the entertainment division. That's why Gwen Ifill, Bill Moyers, Judy Woodruff and others at PBS are trusted.
They are journalists we can trust. We need more of them. And more Jon Stewarts and Jessica Williams. And no Brian Williams.
Brian Williams aggrandized himself in other people's tragedies. During Katrina, by his own admission, he rejected receiving medicine for dysentery because he did not want to "pull rank." Pull rank? Who is the world does he think he is that he is entitled to medical help more than someone else? I can't imagine Ifill or any of the other true journalists either making up stories or considering "pulling rank" over the victims of Katrina. Goodness gracious, NBC, rebuild your news brand and set the news world on fire with any of the thousands of real journalists out there instead of trying to find a way for this guy to come back.
They are journalists we can trust. We need more of them. And more Jon Stewarts and Jessica Williams. And no Brian Williams.
Brian Williams aggrandized himself in other people's tragedies. During Katrina, by his own admission, he rejected receiving medicine for dysentery because he did not want to "pull rank." Pull rank? Who is the world does he think he is that he is entitled to medical help more than someone else? I can't imagine Ifill or any of the other true journalists either making up stories or considering "pulling rank" over the victims of Katrina. Goodness gracious, NBC, rebuild your news brand and set the news world on fire with any of the thousands of real journalists out there instead of trying to find a way for this guy to come back.
2
Lester Holt will sink ratings into deep hole.
How the press and news media try to shape our perceptions and our opinions: NBC/Williams used the word "exaggerated" instead of "lied about". NYT used the word "embellished" instead of "lied".
So much for an unbiased press.
So much for an unbiased press.
1
Let's face it. Journalism is another tribal game - and the lies of those supported by journalists are ignored... there are too many to list...
Liberals are among the most horrific liars... and they will cover for their own...
Now, Brian Williams' lies are listed, and he earns the sympathy of those that fear, there but for the grace of God go I....
Journalists once claimed fact...
Today journalists hammer their own point of view... and get away with is.
Brian Williams is merely the symptom...
Journalism is a sick as our politics.. finance.. and justice department.
Liberals are among the most horrific liars... and they will cover for their own...
Now, Brian Williams' lies are listed, and he earns the sympathy of those that fear, there but for the grace of God go I....
Journalists once claimed fact...
Today journalists hammer their own point of view... and get away with is.
Brian Williams is merely the symptom...
Journalism is a sick as our politics.. finance.. and justice department.
Well that's a relief. Thank goodness our long national nightmare is over for six months.
2
Why should we be shocked? Williams is/was front man for NBC, a large corporation formerly owned by giant GE, an even larger corporation that manufactures war armaments, among its many businesses. And we expected NBC to accurately or impartially to report the news? (remember when Brian and NBC, among all the networks, failed to report that GE had paid zero income tax that year?) Now NBC is apparently owned by Comcast, one of our beloved monopolists. Network news is a bad joke.
3
His remarks were plain out lying, give me a break, being in a helicopter in a foreign country and having live ammo fired at you is not something you misplace in your memory.
2
Brian gives new meaning to what my ol' daddy used to say: "Son, you can't trust what you read in the newspaper." (TV was just getting started then but we did not have one.)
1
if only he could sing, he would be a perfect Prima Donna!
1
I want Brian Williams fired if he tells us he personally saw WMD in Iraq and heard Saddam Hussein confess he was behind the attacks on 9/11. Not before.
1
" Brian Williams as Managing Editor.."
They certainly got that title right. William's told a lie, called managing the news, because that is his job description. He is an actor whose role is to pedal "the truth." Now if the" truth"-which used to be called the facts- is not dramatic enough to keep his dumbed down audience from falling asleep before the commercials come on, or clicking their remotes to switch to another network news drama to hear a better,more gruesome "news,"- sort of which Wolf Blitzer specializes in- then it becomes important to tweak reality to keep the ratings up so the that the sponsors remain happy and continue to fund the network.
Now however, it has all fallen apart, sort of like the Emperor's New Clothes fairy tale. Williams has been exposed as naked, and the network has dressed him down. No one should be surprised that NBC and Friends are nothing more than the American version of Pravda.
They certainly got that title right. William's told a lie, called managing the news, because that is his job description. He is an actor whose role is to pedal "the truth." Now if the" truth"-which used to be called the facts- is not dramatic enough to keep his dumbed down audience from falling asleep before the commercials come on, or clicking their remotes to switch to another network news drama to hear a better,more gruesome "news,"- sort of which Wolf Blitzer specializes in- then it becomes important to tweak reality to keep the ratings up so the that the sponsors remain happy and continue to fund the network.
Now however, it has all fallen apart, sort of like the Emperor's New Clothes fairy tale. Williams has been exposed as naked, and the network has dressed him down. No one should be surprised that NBC and Friends are nothing more than the American version of Pravda.
1
Run corporate shills, no need to defend you're own. There's no honor on display here. Say something that offends somebody while not even on the job and you're gone. The memory is not a video, it changes over time and people can believe they had experiences they didn't have. Is that a lie? Was it intentional? Who can say without a trial that's not a trial of public opinion. Can't we give people the benefit of the doubt? Apparently not.
1
>
Williams gets a timeout?
Williams gets a timeout?
1
Brian Williams, if that is his real name, has received a slap on the wrist from NBC. What would have happened to him if he told the American People "if you like your plan you can keep your plan, if you like your doctor you can keep your doctor."
2
Could we please replace him with Jon Stewart?
2
NBC, please make Lester Holt permanent as the news anchor of the Nightly News. He's always come across as objective and dignified in his reporting of the news. He deserves the position. Don't hand it back to Mr. Williams who squandered the opportunity to be a great newsman.
2
He dishonored real soldiers.
2
>
Not sure why everybody is so bent out of shape about this, it is just the phony news we are talking about, right? Williams' fabrications are tiny when compared to the lies, propaganda, omissions etc... that the phony news puts out every day.
Nobody watches the phony news anymore except old white people.
Not sure why everybody is so bent out of shape about this, it is just the phony news we are talking about, right? Williams' fabrications are tiny when compared to the lies, propaganda, omissions etc... that the phony news puts out every day.
Nobody watches the phony news anymore except old white people.
3
Someone has been spending a lot of time in a thesaurus, looking for palatable ways to say "lies".
2
The greatest flaw in this debacle caused by hubris is that Mr. Williams was his own editor; that tells us how much Comcast values accuracy and truth in its top entertainment show.
3
I feel bad for him, too. At the same time there are several reasons I do not feel too bad for him nor do I believe he deserves to keep his job. He is a celebrity anchor who we are supposed to trust. It is bad enough network news is mostly entertainment, but when someone is caught lying it takes away all credibility the company did have. Giving leniency to any reader/producer/writer/journalist of any sort is telling the entire industry our society tolerates lies. News will become more sloppy, facts will go unchecked, and perhaps before we even realize it, the information does not help us become better informed citizens. He needs to be fired if NBC wants to hold onto a shred of credibility. The NYT fires those who plagiarize and issues apologies; isn't that the very least we should expect from the people and companies we depend on to inform us about the world around us?
1
To those expecting lenience:
For a journalist, knowingly lying about the who, what, where, when, & why in the course of reporting is not an error in judgement. The knowingly part, without serious mitigation, makes it unforgivable. Knowingly lying to inflate one's profile is equally unacceptable. These actions are far greater ethical transgressions than plagiarism or failure to vet.
Brian Williams knows this as well as anyone. He should bow out once and gracefully, not one toe at a time.
For a journalist, knowingly lying about the who, what, where, when, & why in the course of reporting is not an error in judgement. The knowingly part, without serious mitigation, makes it unforgivable. Knowingly lying to inflate one's profile is equally unacceptable. These actions are far greater ethical transgressions than plagiarism or failure to vet.
Brian Williams knows this as well as anyone. He should bow out once and gracefully, not one toe at a time.
1
Cut him some slack people. Brian Williams is probably the only newsman out there who is extremely down to earth and funny. He isn't a robot like the other anchors. Have you people never ever embellished to your kids, family members or close friends about seeing ghosts or other mysterious anecdotes?
1
Don't worry, the public lost its trust in the news networks a long time ago.
2
Brian Williams shouldn't be fired. Absolutely not! He is our Great Might Whale, the reflection of a dwindling ruling demographic segment of America. We have been lied to before him, in more sinister ways, who is to say that the next anchor will treat us any better. He should be allowed to return to NBC in August and work until he retires in 2025 - as a daily reminder that, as Americans, we live in a land that drives and cultivates Bullish Statements at all levels of our culture. It's healthy for Americans to question the news. As a news anchor, Mr. Williams will make sure that we do.
Oy. Here's what Mr. Wms said about his own gaff:
“I don’t know what screwed up in my mind that caused me to conflate one aircraft with another.”
He will. As time passes, so will his memory. It's a hard way to fall, but the thing that "screwed up" in his mind is normal.
Given his tenure and experience, it appears to have been an error less of exaggeration than a failure to fact-check reminiscences. Either way, it highlights both the challenge of maintaining the public trust and of aging in a society newly empowered to scrutinize every millisecond of anyone's public behavior.
“I don’t know what screwed up in my mind that caused me to conflate one aircraft with another.”
He will. As time passes, so will his memory. It's a hard way to fall, but the thing that "screwed up" in his mind is normal.
Given his tenure and experience, it appears to have been an error less of exaggeration than a failure to fact-check reminiscences. Either way, it highlights both the challenge of maintaining the public trust and of aging in a society newly empowered to scrutinize every millisecond of anyone's public behavior.
1
Honestly, he's the fall guy. If lowly local tv teams sometimes travel with a producer, more so a decade ago, you think the "NBC News Team" Mr. Williams refers to in his helicopter narrative, wouldn't include at least one producer?
Come on NBC! Television news reporting is anything but spontaneous. Every precious second of network air time is worked over by a large team of technicians, senior producers and even lawyers. That a story like the helicopter one got on the air and was never corrected in all these years in fact points to rather more disturbing facts about, for example, how American and global audience's minds and wills are massaged, prodded and misinformed into giving their consent. In this case about a massive and very costly war. Or how the Pentagon's authoritarian imperative to control the news coming out of the global battlefields creates compromising situations for a free press in a democracy. Or so many other serious questions about ethics, propaganda, the need for endless war, the elitist control of mass media, demagoguery and advertising, infotainment, the free exchange of ideas in an open and vital republic, etc.
And that is why NBC needed to find the rotten apple in a barrelful of fresh ones. Better that than have the audience peek behind the curtain.
Come on NBC! Television news reporting is anything but spontaneous. Every precious second of network air time is worked over by a large team of technicians, senior producers and even lawyers. That a story like the helicopter one got on the air and was never corrected in all these years in fact points to rather more disturbing facts about, for example, how American and global audience's minds and wills are massaged, prodded and misinformed into giving their consent. In this case about a massive and very costly war. Or how the Pentagon's authoritarian imperative to control the news coming out of the global battlefields creates compromising situations for a free press in a democracy. Or so many other serious questions about ethics, propaganda, the need for endless war, the elitist control of mass media, demagoguery and advertising, infotainment, the free exchange of ideas in an open and vital republic, etc.
And that is why NBC needed to find the rotten apple in a barrelful of fresh ones. Better that than have the audience peek behind the curtain.
1
It would be proper for NBC to donate the suspension salary to families of soldiers who have paid with their lives to defend people like Williams and his ambitions. It would be commendable if Mr. Williams matches the sum for such a worthy cause.
Our vets need jobs and recognition for the sacrifice they make. No journalism degree needed, just the ability to read and look good above the waist. . . have a veteran take Williams' seat.
Our vets need jobs and recognition for the sacrifice they make. No journalism degree needed, just the ability to read and look good above the waist. . . have a veteran take Williams' seat.
1
What is the role of a journalist: to inform, or to entertain? As a journalist, Brian Williams lost credibility. But as an entertainer, he may still have a loyal audience. His future is bright in the entertainment world. He should consult with Jay Leno...!!
1
Hopefully a lesson learned for all journalists not to fudge on this kind of stuff. The WWII Ernie Pyle's and later the "embeds" during the Iraq-Afghanistan era delivered some great reporting and I don't think they were embellishing their brushes with danger. We also see tragic results today of journalists who wish to get the inside story on ISIS and pay the ultimate price.
Maybe Brian realized he was merely a transitional figure - the news guy morphing more into entertainment - and perhaps that didn't set well with his earlier training and reportage - he thought he needed to burnish his image just a bit more with daring-do. He found himself relying on his past as holding the most relevance when weighed against his current NBC gig becoming a slightly upgraded variant of MSNBC junk news/commenary. It's all marketing folks.
In my estimation he will never be a whole person again in the news sense. From an entertainment sense - no problem. He made a little slip that just doesn't need to be repeated.
No matter what he does, as the current holder of John Chancellor's stop watch............the watch needs to go to the Smithsonian as a symbol of one of the last true news men. We won't remember Williams nor even Brokaw except that they were pretty boys who moved the news into the entertainment division. But Chancellor represented the final real newsman at NBC.
Maybe Brian realized he was merely a transitional figure - the news guy morphing more into entertainment - and perhaps that didn't set well with his earlier training and reportage - he thought he needed to burnish his image just a bit more with daring-do. He found himself relying on his past as holding the most relevance when weighed against his current NBC gig becoming a slightly upgraded variant of MSNBC junk news/commenary. It's all marketing folks.
In my estimation he will never be a whole person again in the news sense. From an entertainment sense - no problem. He made a little slip that just doesn't need to be repeated.
No matter what he does, as the current holder of John Chancellor's stop watch............the watch needs to go to the Smithsonian as a symbol of one of the last true news men. We won't remember Williams nor even Brokaw except that they were pretty boys who moved the news into the entertainment division. But Chancellor represented the final real newsman at NBC.
". . . after the news anchor acknowledged exaggerating his role in a helicopter incident in Iraq . . .."
No.
Regardless of what one may think the outcome ought to be, calling a bald-faced lie "exaggerating" is about as far from the truth as Williams's own assertions were. Being shot down in a helicopter is worlds away from merely seeing another helicopter get shot down from the helicopter you are flying in.
No.
Regardless of what one may think the outcome ought to be, calling a bald-faced lie "exaggerating" is about as far from the truth as Williams's own assertions were. Being shot down in a helicopter is worlds away from merely seeing another helicopter get shot down from the helicopter you are flying in.
1
If NBC is suspending Mr. Williams for lying, then Fox News should be taken off the air....just kidding! NBC had no choice but to suspend him.
I'm glad they did not fire him. He was wrong, but this has always been a country of second chances. The question is will he ever obtain the trust he once had when returning back on the air in six months?
I'm glad they did not fire him. He was wrong, but this has always been a country of second chances. The question is will he ever obtain the trust he once had when returning back on the air in six months?
Brian Williams has been the face of NBC Nightly News for 14 years. This in and of itself makes it hard for the brass. But apparently he had been warned a year ago to stop doing this. Why continue? Does his stories become his reality because he keeps repeating them? Is he detached from reality?
To perpetuate a lie and to embellish it over time is very troubling. I don't know if he wants to be seen as a hero of sorts or on the cutting edge but the fact is he was managing editor which means he controlled much of what was broadcast. So to me the fact that he used his position to put this out to the viewing public is just wrong.
My question is this. He didn't go alone. He had a camera crew and other people. Why didn't people step up and confront him? Aren't they complicit if they allow it to continue? Doesn't this call into question their integrity and credibility?
The story about the dead bodies to me in New Orleans was over the top. There was no flooding in that area so why he felt the need to say that baffles me. Where is the video of the bodies floating by?
At first I felt somewhat sorry. But now I believe he should be fired. How can anyone trust what he says in the future? How do you know it will be fact checked? Will it cost them advertisers or viewers if he comes back? I could understand one gaffe but more and more items are coming forward. I wonder how much of this lying has morphed itself into his personal life. I can't believe it ends when he leaves work.
To perpetuate a lie and to embellish it over time is very troubling. I don't know if he wants to be seen as a hero of sorts or on the cutting edge but the fact is he was managing editor which means he controlled much of what was broadcast. So to me the fact that he used his position to put this out to the viewing public is just wrong.
My question is this. He didn't go alone. He had a camera crew and other people. Why didn't people step up and confront him? Aren't they complicit if they allow it to continue? Doesn't this call into question their integrity and credibility?
The story about the dead bodies to me in New Orleans was over the top. There was no flooding in that area so why he felt the need to say that baffles me. Where is the video of the bodies floating by?
At first I felt somewhat sorry. But now I believe he should be fired. How can anyone trust what he says in the future? How do you know it will be fact checked? Will it cost them advertisers or viewers if he comes back? I could understand one gaffe but more and more items are coming forward. I wonder how much of this lying has morphed itself into his personal life. I can't believe it ends when he leaves work.
2
He did not embellish or exaggerate, he lied.
2
Taking the walk of shame....
He's been made to pay, this is a start, the healing can now begin. Once we all feel better after suffering this tragedy of 'wrong aircraft', we can go after Cheney, Powell, Rice and Bush.
1
Correction: Steven Burke's father is Dan Burke whose brother was the late Jim Burke. Still, all in the family is this stand-up tradition.
So, NBC/Comcast has decided to wait and see. I watched Williams almost every night. Unless Williams is fired. I will not watch another NBC program.
There is no remorse from Williams. All of his actions have been a CYA. He even lied to cover up the lie regarding his Iraq exploits within the last two weeks! The media and network now call that an apology. Even now,we learn of other lies. Lies, lies, and more lies.
The only remorse Williams has is that his lies caught up with him. The irony is that for years he got away with it. He would have this time if a couple of honorary military men hadn't spoken up! They didn't, until Williams hyped his exploits at an NFL game!
Advertisers should drop NBC until they do the right thing.
To those who excuse this conduct by comparing it to others I say: Two wrongs don't make a right. Unless the public forces the media to clean out the trash, this kind of conduct will continue.
There is no remorse from Williams. All of his actions have been a CYA. He even lied to cover up the lie regarding his Iraq exploits within the last two weeks! The media and network now call that an apology. Even now,we learn of other lies. Lies, lies, and more lies.
The only remorse Williams has is that his lies caught up with him. The irony is that for years he got away with it. He would have this time if a couple of honorary military men hadn't spoken up! They didn't, until Williams hyped his exploits at an NFL game!
Advertisers should drop NBC until they do the right thing.
To those who excuse this conduct by comparing it to others I say: Two wrongs don't make a right. Unless the public forces the media to clean out the trash, this kind of conduct will continue.
4
Mr. Williams should be fired, not suspended--and it should have happened immediately. A major network news desk is no place for historical fiction or gonzo journalism.
The bigger issue is how this could have happened. Mr. Williams is a tv journalist, not a print journalist. As such, he travels with a production crew, who would have known that their helicopter wasn't hit and that their New Orleans hotel wasn't overrun by gangs. Surely their accounts also made it back to the newsroom. How could the NBC execs have looked the other way--and for so long?
The bigger issue is how this could have happened. Mr. Williams is a tv journalist, not a print journalist. As such, he travels with a production crew, who would have known that their helicopter wasn't hit and that their New Orleans hotel wasn't overrun by gangs. Surely their accounts also made it back to the newsroom. How could the NBC execs have looked the other way--and for so long?
4
The saddest part of this article is the author's insinuation that Matt Lauer's fame might make him a better candidate for the anchor chair than the widely respected Lester Holt. If Brian hadn't been so wrapped up in fame and celebrity, he might not have been tempted to embellish his reporting.This debacle should serve as a wake up call to NBC. Report the news on the nightly news, and leave the entertaining to the morning crew.
2
Steven Burke's late father, James Burke was the hero of the Tylenol poison episode when he quickly recalled all of the product at a cost of $100 million to J&J. He did so to protect the brand even though the US government didn't think he needed to recall beyond the Chicago market area where the crime was committed by a terrorist.
The total adroit handling of this problem saved the Tylenol brand and brought great honors to Jim Burke.
While not of the same magnitude by any means, Steve, the well-schooled son, has done the right thing for NBC and its viewers. He didn't really "shatter" Brian; outright firing would have done so. The punishment fit the crime and now it's up to Brian to redeem himself in an adroit manner, If he is the man he thinks he is, he should be able to make a comeback. If so, everyone wins in the manner of the esteemed Jim Burke tradition.
The total adroit handling of this problem saved the Tylenol brand and brought great honors to Jim Burke.
While not of the same magnitude by any means, Steve, the well-schooled son, has done the right thing for NBC and its viewers. He didn't really "shatter" Brian; outright firing would have done so. The punishment fit the crime and now it's up to Brian to redeem himself in an adroit manner, If he is the man he thinks he is, he should be able to make a comeback. If so, everyone wins in the manner of the esteemed Jim Burke tradition.
1
Isn’t America a great country with the endless second chances?
We might discriminate against our journalists but we treat everybody else generously – our leaders, our mainstream political parties, the Wall Street bankers, the global corporations that created the jobs in America by exporting our manufacturing and industrial base overseas, the tax experts who eliminated the national debt by slashing the taxes, the export experts who eliminated our traditional trade surpluses by implementing free trade regime et cetera...
We might bench Brian Williams who said that he flew on a helicopter that came under insurgent fire.
That’s utterly false because our president told us that we would be greeted by the flowers in Iraq as liberators, that we would turn a corner in Iraq in ninety days for full 6 years, that the Iraq War would spread freedom and democracy across the Middle East, that the mission was accomplished, that the Iraq War would pay for itself and that our boys would be back home within 6 months.
Do you know how we punished the politicians who told us this litany of outrageous lies?
We reelected them to the White House and the Congress!
The real sin of Brian Williams is that he lied to us for years that we were winning the wars in the Middle East.
Sir, we knew Walter Cronkite. You are not like him!
We might discriminate against our journalists but we treat everybody else generously – our leaders, our mainstream political parties, the Wall Street bankers, the global corporations that created the jobs in America by exporting our manufacturing and industrial base overseas, the tax experts who eliminated the national debt by slashing the taxes, the export experts who eliminated our traditional trade surpluses by implementing free trade regime et cetera...
We might bench Brian Williams who said that he flew on a helicopter that came under insurgent fire.
That’s utterly false because our president told us that we would be greeted by the flowers in Iraq as liberators, that we would turn a corner in Iraq in ninety days for full 6 years, that the Iraq War would spread freedom and democracy across the Middle East, that the mission was accomplished, that the Iraq War would pay for itself and that our boys would be back home within 6 months.
Do you know how we punished the politicians who told us this litany of outrageous lies?
We reelected them to the White House and the Congress!
The real sin of Brian Williams is that he lied to us for years that we were winning the wars in the Middle East.
Sir, we knew Walter Cronkite. You are not like him!
5
I think Mr. Williams treatment by NBC news was not fair. The man is trusted and he made a mistake. He took himself off the air for a time as he stated and he apologized on air for the mistaken memory. He is human and NBC news (maybe Tom Brokow) was wrong in its penalty for Mr. Williams actions. For my age group (over 60) Mr. Williams displayed kindness, consideration, and compassion for people in the news. I am not sure about the online audience, but for my husband and I the nightly news with Brian Williams should continue. I will NOT be watching any substitute that NBC news may "find" to replace him.
I wonder how many stories have been fabricated across the board. He is just one of how many. I'm surprised more people aren't focusing on that.
Brian Williams is a rich guy who should have spent more time with the millions of average people who watched him. Then, he would have appreciated all that he was fortunate to have and never would have let his ego betray him.
2
If Uncle Joe had exaggerated a story like this, we'd roll our eyes and say, "Well, that's Uncle Joe for you." But Brian Williams is not Uncle Joe. He's getting 10 million a year to sit in an anchor chair and report the truth.
As a former journalist, I hope I don't see him on TV again.
As a former journalist, I hope I don't see him on TV again.
5
Yes, yes, yes. Exactly! It's weird how a lot of people are giving this highly paid so-called journalist a pass because there's some sweet, tall tale teller in their family. Well, these family members aren't pocketing 10 million bucks to report on the word stage to an audience. And some insiders have said BW has been lying for years and lots of people knew it. But he didn't apologize or admit to 'misremembering' until he got caught.
2
Let’s hope the buck does not stop at Brian Williams? As the old adage goes, “it takes two hands to clap” and Brian’s was only one of them. NBC’s investigation should ensure that Brian was not high-fiving with someone else on this “conflation” saga. It’s the future of network news broadcasts that is at stake – their audiences are aging and declining – so it’s incumbent upon NBC to show that honesty and integrity will prevail.
The problem with all network and cable news outlets today is that the anchors have become "stars" rather than reporters of the news. I feel certain that Brian Williams along other network personalities are under pressure to present themselves and the news in such a way as to garner the most viewers thereby making the most money for the networks even if it means cutting journalistic corners and embellishing stories. I stopped watching network and cable news outlets a long time ago because the reporting was becoming less about the news and more about who was doing the reporting.
48
Perhaps with the forced time off, Brian Williams can spend more time being working on his next career in entertainment.
He should be fired or just resign which would be the honorable thing to do.
He should be fired or just resign which would be the honorable thing to do.
2
I think this was a terrible decision by NBC. It seems like they are simply trying to force Williams to resign.
What is really needed in all reporting of the news is a competent editorial staff to edit all the copy planned for a news broadcast.
Is fact checking still done in newsrooms, I have to wonder.
Where dear readers are the editors - masters of the craft of making sure that all news reporting is viable, reliable, and valid.
Your guess is as good as mine.
Is fact checking still done in newsrooms, I have to wonder.
Where dear readers are the editors - masters of the craft of making sure that all news reporting is viable, reliable, and valid.
Your guess is as good as mine.
4
I have been following Mr. Williams since the very beginning. I remember Brokaw handing over the torch and witnessing Williams evolve into today's "Walter". He is a rock of an anchor with a comical personality, and comes off as a genuine man. Having said that, it is so hard for me to see this happen to a man who built his career from the ground up, without ever graduating from college. He's the epitome of the American Dream, and he made a mistake. Everyone makes mistakes. We live and we learn, that is what America is all about. Just ask Detroit. Unfortunately, Mr. Williams will have to do a lot of self-reflecting in the upcoming months to prepare himself for an appropriate return to the desk. In doing so, however, he can evaluate what went wrong this past week and become a better journalist for it. Everyone needs a wake-up call once in a while. It is now time for my childhood icon, Mr. Williams, to quit reaching for celebrity status and get back to restoring the integrity and of which the Nightly News was founded on.
2
As one who rarely watches the 6:30 major network newscasts (which are dinosaurs), I don't have the same adoration for Brian Williams. It is clear from the interesting video the NYT put together that he lied/misremembered/fantasized repeatedly about this incident, which was bad enough; then he repeated the lie about himself on his own broadcast, and oops, got called on it. No one would forget being in an aircraft that was hit by rocket fire. He's a "journalist" (well maybe not so much now, but he was 12 years ago), whose integrity and ability to remember, record and report the truth of something (that he was personally involved in too!) is part of his job requirement. So it is entirely appropriate that he be suspended, or fired. My guess is that behind the scenes, the Katrina claims have also been found to be insupportable. Who would find this guy credible again? If he's smart, he'll segue into late-night hosting/political punditing, etc. His career as a serious journalist/broadcaster is over.
3
Why is Brian William's career ruined for exaggerating about a risky military encounter, but Hillary Clinton is still a viable candidate for President of the United States after totally fabricating a story about herself dodging sniper fire in Bosnia? Is it because we simply don't expect a politician to tell the truth? I suppose so.
69
You raise an interesting point, and I would not be surprised if the republicans zero in on exactly that point, given this "brouhaha" over Mr. Williams "misremembered" war story.
It surprisingly never gained the traction that this story did, but the parallels are most definitely obvious.
Attacking a politician is a different kettle of fish, especially one as formidable as Hillary Clinton. If you overplay your hand, you can end up hurting yourself more than injuring the other party, so it's not as simple as it may seem.
It surprisingly never gained the traction that this story did, but the parallels are most definitely obvious.
Attacking a politician is a different kettle of fish, especially one as formidable as Hillary Clinton. If you overplay your hand, you can end up hurting yourself more than injuring the other party, so it's not as simple as it may seem.
'Brian William's career ruined for exaggerating about a risky military encounter, but Hillary Clinton is still a viable candidate for President of the United States after totally fabricating a story about herself dodging sniper fire in Bosnia?'
Yes, it is clear now that both Williams and Hillary lied about their war experiences. And both came out unhurt; good for them. And how many people did their lies kill? Most likely, zero.
Both Bush and Cheney lied, right? How many did their lies kill? More than zero, right?
Soon after the Iraq war, there was a book written by a Princeton psychology professor about Bush and his lies, without actually naming him. What he says is that to tell a lie, you actually have to know the truth. And Bush was one of those people who did not know what the truth was 'and did not care what the truth was' - he would say anything, i.e., simply bullsh.. , to advance his cause.
Cheney, on the other hand, was probably a pathological case, and still is. And look at marvelously he is still doing! No suspension for him!
Yes, it is clear now that both Williams and Hillary lied about their war experiences. And both came out unhurt; good for them. And how many people did their lies kill? Most likely, zero.
Both Bush and Cheney lied, right? How many did their lies kill? More than zero, right?
Soon after the Iraq war, there was a book written by a Princeton psychology professor about Bush and his lies, without actually naming him. What he says is that to tell a lie, you actually have to know the truth. And Bush was one of those people who did not know what the truth was 'and did not care what the truth was' - he would say anything, i.e., simply bullsh.. , to advance his cause.
Cheney, on the other hand, was probably a pathological case, and still is. And look at marvelously he is still doing! No suspension for him!
Maybe Mr. Williams should go into politics next.
Suspended without pay for six months...when he earns $10 million per year? Drat! He'll only make $5 million in the next 12 months. Poor lamb.
The man should be fired from his job; and while we're on the subject, why do people who lie and plagiarize continue to have jobs and make money? This is beyond my comprehension.
The man should be fired from his job; and while we're on the subject, why do people who lie and plagiarize continue to have jobs and make money? This is beyond my comprehension.
4
Nice gig for someone who reads script written by someone else from a teleprompter.
"Mr. Williams’s departure further diminishes the vaunted standing of the nightly network news anchor; last year ABC News chose to keep its chief anchor, George Stephanopoulos, as the co-host of “Good Morning America,” and elevate David Muir to the evening anchor chair. And Mr. Holt, 55, while widely respected, is not as famous a figure at NBC as Matt Lauer, the co-host of the “Today” Show." Therein lies the problem. Even media reporters expects "famous", so called, journalists on these programs even though that guarantees no particular competence. Witness Stephanopoulos' interview of Darren Wilson.
Williams took himself too seriously, especially as someone who was entertaining and interesting, outside the context of his anchor desk. The fact that he wanted to go into the entertainment division is astonishing.
So called journalists shouldn't be intimately involved with their subjects. Being involved with troops as admirer and acolyte is ludicrous. If you're going to be a combat boot sniffer, how can you, then, report on the atrocity that's occurred? We know what this leads to. We saw it when US reporters jumped on military vehicles and reported on how wonderful the was in Iraq was going, some, reveling in the killing.
Williams problems stemmed from his wanting to be more than an observer and reporter, which was part and parcel of the failure of the press to expose the scam that was being run by the Bush administration.
Williams took himself too seriously, especially as someone who was entertaining and interesting, outside the context of his anchor desk. The fact that he wanted to go into the entertainment division is astonishing.
So called journalists shouldn't be intimately involved with their subjects. Being involved with troops as admirer and acolyte is ludicrous. If you're going to be a combat boot sniffer, how can you, then, report on the atrocity that's occurred? We know what this leads to. We saw it when US reporters jumped on military vehicles and reported on how wonderful the was in Iraq was going, some, reveling in the killing.
Williams problems stemmed from his wanting to be more than an observer and reporter, which was part and parcel of the failure of the press to expose the scam that was being run by the Bush administration.
4
They all mostly read from a teleprompter with a crew of reporters collecting stories. We need 1010 WINS wins all news all the time on TV and rely on the online newspapers for photo journalism, etc
3
$10 million a year for reading a TelePrompter? That's the real crime here.
34
Nah, they were paying him $10 million a year because their polls showed that Americans viewed him as trustworthy. Have I ever told how gullible Americans are? Just look at who they elect for political office. Enough said!
Williams, like so many others, started to see himself as the news. He needs to choose between being a journalist and being an entertainer.
23
I don't see a suspension rather than a resignation or outright dismissal working out well for Williams or for NBC. The enormity of the revelation that a person trusted to convey the truth is a fabulist will obliterate any effort in August to pretend nothing happened.
6
Absent some change in the landscape over the next six months I suspect Brian is done.
14
coukd it be possible that he didn't even think too much about it, and just told the Iraq story with the embellishments without even consciously understanding what he was doing? Not to excuse him in any way but he seems so full of himself... regardless, what he did was wrong, and he deserves the consequences.
2
It is not just Brian William's failings, media as whole looked the other way. It was an open secret at NBC and as per column by Maureen Dowd, she was aware of it for some time. The disturbing question is why none of them. including Maureen Dowd, came forward earlier and question it. Why they are writing columns about it now after it was exposed in Facebook by soldiers ?
25
It's called a witch hunt.
He was one of theirs, that's why. If he had been a conservative he would have been outed years ago. Different standards depending upon which side of the ideological spectrum you belong.
1
FS, you nailed it.
Funny when they talk about Watergate, they always say "the cover up was worse than the crime". Here, as with the Bill Cosby thing, the media are all saying "we covered it up for years", but of course they give themselves a pass.
If the cover up is really worse, then Dowd and everyone else who turned a blind eye here should resign immediately.
Funny when they talk about Watergate, they always say "the cover up was worse than the crime". Here, as with the Bill Cosby thing, the media are all saying "we covered it up for years", but of course they give themselves a pass.
If the cover up is really worse, then Dowd and everyone else who turned a blind eye here should resign immediately.
The Iraq war to begin with, was a blatant lie. So when the foundation itself is false, whatever happened on top to if, was further lie, there was no truthful basis at all. As a nation, we lie, from our politicians to leaders to corporate heads, to students applying to college to embellish their resumes, to desperate folks seeking jobs, to the small businessman..... We lie to get votes, we lie to get the job done at all costs, we lie to sell our products (those timy white lies), we lie to the world in broad daylight. Brian Williams is exhibit A of a problem that pervades from top to bottom, and left to right, all across the American spectrum.
8
Whatever is the basis of the Iraq War is irrelevant to this issue. Williams lied about events taking place there,
Just goes to show, the standards for working in the private sector are vastly different than for those who work for Government.
11
In an internet age, news has become fluid and often overblown. This situation, however, doesn't excuse a trusted figure like Williams from padding the details in reporting the facts. While Williams has my sympathy, I think he must face this censure from NBC and the public. I will miss his broadcasts, a penalty for all of us in the era of highly commercialized reporting.
2
All he did was to do what Fox Fake News has been doing all along. I say along with Williams all them should be fired.
4
Liberal Journalist Joe Klein told an audience at the 92nd Street Y that the only newscast worth watching any more is Bret Baier's newscast at 6PM on FOX. See what happens when you have an open mind?
This is such sad news! The pain of punishment - literally banishment from the anchor chair for Brian Williams for 6 months - must be nigh unbearable, but then we humans have borne the unbearable as long as we have walked upright on this planet. As Nietzsche discovered, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. And what does kill us ...well, life is hard, the Russians say, but at least it's very brief. I am reminded here of the late David Bloom, a rising NBC journalist who was killed by DVT at age 39 from sitting too long in a tank in Iraq in 2003. He must look down at Brian Williams from heaven and ponder - "there but for the grace of God..." Dying a hero is different than losing one's career over a lie or a conflated memory. NBC is struggling now. Time for new brooms. Lester Holt deserves to hold the anchor chair for the foreseeable future. Chris Wallace would be a fine NBC anchor if only he could ditch the puppet strings from Fox News. His Dad did OK at CBS News. After Walter Cronkite left CBS News, I preferred Tom Brokaw's glottle "L"s and Dakota straightforwardness. And I watched Brian Williams - not so worthy a follower to Brokaw - for years until the recent debacles of NBC News. As Bill Cosby has been brought lower than whale shizzle (which is at the bottom of the ocean), from his own hubris over the decades, so those whom we put on pedestals in our sick celebrity culture fall like Humpty Dumpty and Ozymandias. "Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair."
6
A news anchor needs a solid background in reporting in order to develop a healthy ethical respect for the impact of news and how best to present it. The 2 great TV anchors, Cronkite and Rather, had reported from war zones as well as political-governmental reporting. Viewer's trust of Cronkite and Rather was anchored by years of public reportage, they were well known and trusted long before they anchored the CBS nightly news.
Brian Williams career was primarily that of an radio/TV news announcer/reader, he was not well known or trusted before that. When Rather apologized in 9/2004, about bogus docs about Bush's National Guard service, his explanation was detailed and sincere: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A35531-2004Sep20.html.
Brian's was as if he was reading cue cards.
On the other hand, the press and public today will not accept less than perfection in public figures, which says more about their childishness than Williams mistake.
Brian Williams career was primarily that of an radio/TV news announcer/reader, he was not well known or trusted before that. When Rather apologized in 9/2004, about bogus docs about Bush's National Guard service, his explanation was detailed and sincere: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A35531-2004Sep20.html.
Brian's was as if he was reading cue cards.
On the other hand, the press and public today will not accept less than perfection in public figures, which says more about their childishness than Williams mistake.
3
Brian Williams was not just an anchor. He was the editor in chief of NBC News. He is cannot resume that job without completely undermining the trustworthiness of NBC News as a reliable source of the news. That much is obvious. But something much larger comes to the surface in this discussion. The crumbling of newspapers as an industry has accelerated the newspaper's industry's becoming a playground of the super-wealthy. How trustworthy is our news, when billionaires buy newspapers? Jeff Bezzos bought the Washington Post. John Henry bought the Boston Globe. Rupert Murdock bought everything. There is a difference between newspapers and America's Cup Yachts, after all. Without trustworthy news sources, we the public are at a great loss. These iconic newspapers are easily acquired by the superwealthy. The Times bought the Globe for 1.2 billion and sold it for 73 million, all of its owner's intelligence notwithstanding. A fire sale.
Hard to say where this will end up, but one thing is surely on the line: reliable news sources. If the industry does not find its financial balance, we will all be losers. NBC's decision to set Brian Williams is too little too late. They have known about this lie for quite a long time, but kept him on for financial reasons.
An industry in trouble is less reliable than one that is financially healthy. We should all remember that when we are making decisions to subscribe or not subscribe to a newspaper.
Hard to say where this will end up, but one thing is surely on the line: reliable news sources. If the industry does not find its financial balance, we will all be losers. NBC's decision to set Brian Williams is too little too late. They have known about this lie for quite a long time, but kept him on for financial reasons.
An industry in trouble is less reliable than one that is financially healthy. We should all remember that when we are making decisions to subscribe or not subscribe to a newspaper.
7
Too bad that the news organizations, even the NYT, were not as demanding of truthfulness from W, Cheney, Powell, et.al. This is especially notable since this piece is juxtaposed with the news that Jon Stewart is leaving the Daily Show. NBC could take a cue from the Daily Show and actually, you know, become more than a conduit for the latest talking points of the pols. Nah ... not good infotainment.
7
Like other celebrities, Brian Williams has been paid for his perceived value. As that started slipping, he has been jettisoned.
There is little need for a "traveling news team," which flies off to news hotspots. The anchors add nothing to the story. Developing a fan base for celebrity anchors is part of the attempt to make news more entertaining. It's been a very long time since TV news has been a useful source of information. I'm hoping this will bring some real changes, but I'm not too optimistic.
There is little need for a "traveling news team," which flies off to news hotspots. The anchors add nothing to the story. Developing a fan base for celebrity anchors is part of the attempt to make news more entertaining. It's been a very long time since TV news has been a useful source of information. I'm hoping this will bring some real changes, but I'm not too optimistic.
5
Suspended for six months? He's not coming back.
3
Holding a news anchor to high standards is reasonable enough. So I'm hoping we will soon see the entire Fox News division held to the same standard of truth. After all, 99% of what they say is falsehood, innuendo and worthless trash.
9
Liberal Journalist Joe Klein has recommended FOX's 6PM news with Brett Baier as the only 6PM newscast worth watching any more. His audience at the 92nd Street Y still hasn't recovered from this bit of blasphemy.
Journalism’s first obligation is to the truth. The suspension is fair. Now maybe people can also get just a little bit outraged over FOX news entire organization.
9
I stopped watching Williams nightly news broadcast because he ended each show with a "heart-warming" dog story. I thought that was silly and not real news. Also his tone of reporting was to make every story sound like a major crisis, including the weather. I'm not surprised he embellished his reporting.
5
His 22 minutes each night is more human interest than news. He is nothing special like his show. He should be fired as any other writer would for falsifying or plagarising. It goes with his manufactured sense of importance. He is a news reader, that is all, with an outsized ego. An egotist suffers from a misplaced sense of non-entity. Besides Lester Holt does a better job.
3
“Finally someone is being held to account for misleading America about the Iraq War.” - some guy
2
"Executives also were concerned about the way he portrayed his reporting away from his newscasts. That includes his descriptions of reporting on Hurricane Katrina as well as other coverage."
If Williams has repeatedly described his reporting activities inaccurately, the action taken against him does not settle the matter, NBC News has apparently been aware of this problem and has apparently not taken action. Those whose job it is to assure the integrity of the news may have fallen asleep on the job and may deserve punishment themselves.
If Williams has repeatedly described his reporting activities inaccurately, the action taken against him does not settle the matter, NBC News has apparently been aware of this problem and has apparently not taken action. Those whose job it is to assure the integrity of the news may have fallen asleep on the job and may deserve punishment themselves.
3
Does anyone really believe NBC didn't know the truth about the helicopter story from the minute it happened? Come on, they had to be completely aware, complicit, and surely helped "script" Mr. Williams' story.
2
1. He should be fired.
2. NBC needs to hire a real newsperson, not a news reader. News should be news, not infotainment read by a celebrity.
3. Has anyone trusted a newsman since Cronkite?
2. NBC needs to hire a real newsperson, not a news reader. News should be news, not infotainment read by a celebrity.
3. Has anyone trusted a newsman since Cronkite?
13
Williams should write a book on "What I Did During My Unpaid Suspension".
No doubt would be chock full of heroic gallantry and daring do...
No doubt would be chock full of heroic gallantry and daring do...
Journalists are the 4th estate protected by the first amendment. Their job is to keep government and others in authority honest. The news is the first draft of history. When journalists become part of the stories they report, when they become celebrities (Anderson Cooper on CNN comes to mind), or knowingly distort what they present as fact (that would be FOX "news") they violate the trust of the people to whom they owe the truth (as close as is possible given that news changes every minute and is subject to perspective). But we get what we pay for and we want real news to cost us nothing, which has undermined the ability of real journalists to make a living.
2
I think he should be fired for lying.
7
Given that NBC stands to save several million dollars by doing this, I think they should donate that money to a fund that supports the families of journalists and news photographers who have been killed in war zones.
6
The trouble is that viewers don't know who the "real" Brian Williams is . They like his public persona, much as they would with a Hollywood actor. Given the dozens of false statements Williams had made about a number of stories/ all designed to make him look better and more heroic - I would suggest that beneath his likeable public exterior exterior, Mr Williams has no idea who he is
3
The suspension may be the best thing for Brian Williams. It's not a slap on the wrist and It gets him off of the public's radar for a while. It may be enough of a punishment and enough time for him to be able to make a comeback.
1
I have suspended myself for six months from watching network news shows. It will give me time to straighten out whether I care about the news, or about the newsreaders.
2
He should never come back. It isn't just that he told all of this to all those who trust NBC. He portrays himself a experiencing the same dangers. He is one of them. Comradeship by shared experience. He isn't one of them. He insults those who are in harms way every day.
10
I have been a big fan of Lester Holt for many years. He appears to be trustworthy, professional and very likeable. I believe that he would be an excellent permanent replacement if Brian does not return.
9
I think NBC is taking itself far too seriously. It is now just one of many
news sources. Brian Williams is a particularly attractive news reader.
Nothing more. So is Stewart and his ilk. Williams exaggerated the news?
Really? I think he is a likable and entertaining evening presence. But they
fired him. These would be, out of date, pious, Walter Cronkite, wannabes,
are speeding to their own extinction. Good riddance!
news sources. Brian Williams is a particularly attractive news reader.
Nothing more. So is Stewart and his ilk. Williams exaggerated the news?
Really? I think he is a likable and entertaining evening presence. But they
fired him. These would be, out of date, pious, Walter Cronkite, wannabes,
are speeding to their own extinction. Good riddance!
1
The problem with the nightly news runs much deeper than Brian Williams' lying about his personal experiences. The problem is at the core of the broadcast - the choice of stories, the lack of depth in reporting, the absence of real investigative journalism, and the failure to hold truth to power. The network news has confused journalists with newsreaders, newsreaders with entertainers, and entertainers with authorities. Many people felt that Brian Williams undermined his own gravitas by appearing on late night TV, but NBC news thinks giving Matt Lauer an interview with a major political figure then having him turn around and endorse some inane trend or vacuous boy band while chatting and chuckling with his co-hosts on the Today Show.
This is not news. A real news cast would cover our obesity epidemic with an examination of what is in our food supply. A real news cast would look behind the curtain and examine the handful of billionaires who control this country and write our laws without ever holding an elected or appointed office. A real news cast would have stood up to Dick Cheney and asked for proof about the WMD. Many smaller news organizations and political groups did, but none of the "majors" asked those questions.
As many others have pointed out, only late night comedians have been holding the media and our political institutions accountable. It's too bad that the 4th Estate, especially the area we call broadcast journalism, has abdicated that responsibility.
This is not news. A real news cast would cover our obesity epidemic with an examination of what is in our food supply. A real news cast would look behind the curtain and examine the handful of billionaires who control this country and write our laws without ever holding an elected or appointed office. A real news cast would have stood up to Dick Cheney and asked for proof about the WMD. Many smaller news organizations and political groups did, but none of the "majors" asked those questions.
As many others have pointed out, only late night comedians have been holding the media and our political institutions accountable. It's too bad that the 4th Estate, especially the area we call broadcast journalism, has abdicated that responsibility.
16
That's your opinion and you are entitled to it, and mostly I agree with it. The only exception to that rule, these days, was the NBC Nightly news. Lester Holt, nice guy, but he lacks the gravitas that BWs did---and frankly, the show yesterday was vapid and without substance. The thing Brian Williams did well was to offer context, "a little whatever in these time of blah blah" at the end of a story, as an example. Beyond that, the scripts were complete in a way that yesterday's show was not.....as we were left scratching our heads a few times about information not being complete and guests essentially saying nothing new.
I am going to assume they had a bad show on account of the transition but unless it improves to what we/ve become used to, I think they may have lost us as viewers.
....then again, they lost me when they fired Ann Curry too so maybe the lesson here for me is to make the switch to CBS once and for all and call it a day.
I am going to assume they had a bad show on account of the transition but unless it improves to what we/ve become used to, I think they may have lost us as viewers.
....then again, they lost me when they fired Ann Curry too so maybe the lesson here for me is to make the switch to CBS once and for all and call it a day.
GWE-
I ran out of room so I had to take out the section I had written that I think highly of Lester Holt and especially Richard Engel. But they are just people within NBC New. My point was that the problem isn't Brian Williams. It is the corporation that determines what kind of reporting they are going to include, and how they are going to package it.
It's not just NBC. CBS is better but still not up to snuff, and CNN and their 24 hour counterparts only provide a few minutes of real news per cycle.
Network news corporations still rely on stories on lost puppies that come home, individuals overcoming disabilities in sports, and celebrity fluff to fill their broadcasts, instead of covering the nuances of decisions made by Congress, the President, and the Supreme Court.
The New York Times and several other print-based publications still meet these standards frequently. Unfortunately, more people get their news from TV or radio. The only broadcast outlet that comes close to these standards is the PBS Newshour, and they are severely limited by their lack of funds. The fact that shows like the Daily Show and its offspring are seriously considered a source of news rather than just a reflection of media coverage reveals how much is missing from broadcast journalism.
I ran out of room so I had to take out the section I had written that I think highly of Lester Holt and especially Richard Engel. But they are just people within NBC New. My point was that the problem isn't Brian Williams. It is the corporation that determines what kind of reporting they are going to include, and how they are going to package it.
It's not just NBC. CBS is better but still not up to snuff, and CNN and their 24 hour counterparts only provide a few minutes of real news per cycle.
Network news corporations still rely on stories on lost puppies that come home, individuals overcoming disabilities in sports, and celebrity fluff to fill their broadcasts, instead of covering the nuances of decisions made by Congress, the President, and the Supreme Court.
The New York Times and several other print-based publications still meet these standards frequently. Unfortunately, more people get their news from TV or radio. The only broadcast outlet that comes close to these standards is the PBS Newshour, and they are severely limited by their lack of funds. The fact that shows like the Daily Show and its offspring are seriously considered a source of news rather than just a reflection of media coverage reveals how much is missing from broadcast journalism.
1
Amazing. News anchors held to a higher standard than politicians.
We guess that says a lot about where politicians fall in the honesty list. Let's give the job to Maurice DuBois
We guess that says a lot about where politicians fall in the honesty list. Let's give the job to Maurice DuBois
16
George W. Bush is not the only American who has said he 'remembers' seeing the *first* plane hit the WTC *as it happened*. (I believe, in fact, Claire Messud used that in her novel The Emperor's Children - a character happens to have the TV on and sees the *first* plane.) Definitely a false memory.
Ronald Reagan told several convincing stories that he clearly believed were true, most prominently that he had been with the first troops to liberate the concentration camps; he spent the entire war in California, but merged his memories with movies he'd seen.
We are now holding our TV news readers to much higher standards of credibility and truthfulness than we do our presidents. Yup.
Ronald Reagan told several convincing stories that he clearly believed were true, most prominently that he had been with the first troops to liberate the concentration camps; he spent the entire war in California, but merged his memories with movies he'd seen.
We are now holding our TV news readers to much higher standards of credibility and truthfulness than we do our presidents. Yup.
3
True enough - unfortunately there is an expectation that newscasters tell the truth and an expectation that politicians will lie.
1
I know. Hillary completely fabricates a story about being under sniper fire in Bosnia while the first lady and gets a free pass.
1
The six month suspension without pay gives NBC the chance to study this matter further and to determine whether or not Williams should return to the anchor desk. From a business perspective, I think that this was a reasonable and judicious decision.
I'm torn as to whether Williams should step down. On the one hand, he is an able and likable anchor. On the other hand, he has severely compromised his reputation, and it seems likely that he has exaggerated his role in a number of situations.
I'm torn as to whether Williams should step down. On the one hand, he is an able and likable anchor. On the other hand, he has severely compromised his reputation, and it seems likely that he has exaggerated his role in a number of situations.
8
Able and likable anchor? That's just his polished image, his brand 'personna.' He made himself the news instead of reporting the news like a professional. This is wrong on so many levels! I come from a family that includes two former air force fighter pilots (one who experienced the loss of over half his squadron and struggled with survival trauma for years although not his fault). What Brian Williams did, piggyback heroics, was deeply offensive to me. Further, I think Brian Williams is merely just the face of what's corrupt in the mainstream news and that's the tragedy. It's not just about Brian Williams. It's that our news is being bought by billionaires and sold to us as infotainment. It really makes me angry, but being angry is considered not cool these days. But I am! A real journalist would probably have been fired years ago for insisting on telling the gritty, uncomfortable truth. But people want a likable guy who doesn't get down and dirty with the truth. People don't want to see victims of war over their dinner. They don't want to see caskets, or the homeless or starvation or those falsely imprisoned. They want puppy and kitten stories and celebrities. My hope for America is more demand for depth, maturity and authenticity from anything that calls itself journalism.
1
I doubt he will actually come back in six months. His credibility is shot by NBC basically confirming he's a chronic liar, however much they personally like him. Look for NBC to use the six months to find a replacement as they have no viable candidates (if they do not want Lester Holt for whatever reason to assume the chair). When Savannah Guthrie is your only choice you need more time to find a successor.
17
You are exactly right. NBC could have backed up its star but by this action they have essentially made it seemed like this is more than just "memory problems" and way more systemic. They cannbilaized their young, if you will. He can't come back from this, not at NBC.
Is he a journalist or a newsreader? I thought he was a newsreader in which case all that really matters is the way he sounds and the way he looks. But perhaps part of the aesthetic is that we like to believe we are listening to someone who has thought hard about the news and researched it themselves. So this episode kills that illusion. To me the problem is that most people dedicate very little time to thinking hard about what is going on in the world. Instead we prefer infotainment. We just don't want to think of ourselves like that.
30
That illusion should have been killed with Peter Arnett and Tailwind. That report went out under his byline, but when confronted about the fact that it was completely untrue, his defense was that they gave him a script and he read it.
Absoluytely not! He is not a news reader--take a look at last night's broadcast as an example. It was awful.
He had an editorial position and a lot of influence over what and who was on the air. That was "his" newscast. Any doubt I had about that was cleared up with last night's AWFUL newscast, which I hope was a one time thing. It was so thin on content, questions left unaddressed, guests talking circles....it was bad. Really bad.
He had an editorial position and a lot of influence over what and who was on the air. That was "his" newscast. Any doubt I had about that was cleared up with last night's AWFUL newscast, which I hope was a one time thing. It was so thin on content, questions left unaddressed, guests talking circles....it was bad. Really bad.
Honestly this is a non-issue. In realty we are seeing that the press today is really into reporting on the press. How many other important issue are we now confronting. I for one don't care and to me someones fishing story is just not a big deal. Maybe if he had pushed the story as news while reporting on TV it would be different but from what I have read its more about how his story grew while speaking to groups or people. So again..who cares?
11
A commenter thinks we're too hard on Brian Williams:
"We demand perfection from public figures, although we are not perfect ourselves."
We don't demand "perfection." We just expect our TV news anchors to tell the truth. Is that really expecting too much?
"We demand perfection from public figures, although we are not perfect ourselves."
We don't demand "perfection." We just expect our TV news anchors to tell the truth. Is that really expecting too much?
56
what is all the hysteria about? FOX does this daily and they get a raise! hahahah
NBC's reaction is so PC it is pathetic... the bigger issues are all the real lies we get fed that actually matter.....Brian gets suspended for 6 months! and Dick Cheney gets invited as a guest......This county is messed up....and we all know it...
NBC's reaction is so PC it is pathetic... the bigger issues are all the real lies we get fed that actually matter.....Brian gets suspended for 6 months! and Dick Cheney gets invited as a guest......This county is messed up....and we all know it...
65
Proof please ? Citations ? Facts ?
1
CR, to jonathan Livingston, like Mr. Williams, facts don't matter. Saying it is enough.
Let's have Jon Stewart for the job!
19
Ms. Turness should be next to exit through the little door. She is the one who chose to have Williams personify NBC News. Rather than feature an entire team of great news people in the marketing of the NBC brand (Holt, Engle, Mitchell, et al), she chose to incarnate all of NBC News credibility in one person. I actually was growing tired of the cult of personality of Mr. Williams long before his prevarications became front page news -- and I like Mr. Williams. Ms. Turness should have done more background work before attempting to create a personality cult around Williams. She should go.
15
This is really on her boss (Pat Flil-Krushel) and ultimately Steve Burke, head of the parent company. Deborah Turness came to NBC News about 18 months ago, and the pattern of behavior and corporate enabling preceded her.
OK. I am not in a position to challenge your conclusion. In any event, we both agree that much of the problem NBC News is facing now have to do with upstream corporate enablers. If the fault goes as high as you claim, I guess this means nothing will happen.
Six months should be enough time to fly to Syria for some risky and harrowing reporting. Instead, I'm guessing we get Hollywood-style redemption, a tearful talk show with a popular host, a claim of dependency on pain killers, perhaps rehab, a new haircut, more sweaters, etc..
27
Please give me -- and the world -- a break! This pablum put out by such mainstream media faucets has so litle to do with the actual events in this world that who cares how much B. Williams stretches it. It's almost all stretched, sensationalized, mis-understood, censored, avoided, and packaged.
It hurts, quite badly, to see an entire nation duped on a daily basis about what the "news" is.
It hurts, quite badly, to see an entire nation duped on a daily basis about what the "news" is.
29
OK, there is a double standard here.
Print journalism is indulged. For example, how many times have you read, in even the most respected newspapers, one or more of the following, presented as undisputed fact -- not just speculation, or the writer's unshakable belief, but as undisputed fact:
1. Iran is developing nuclear weapons.
2. Assad has used chemical weapons on civilians in Syria.
3. Russian troops are fighting in the Ukraine.
These "undisputed facts" are routinely presented in even highly respected print publications, with nary a raised eyebrow. Those who know better chuckle, of course, but most readers just accept them as they're presented -- as undisputed fact.
Why, then, should we get all worked up just because Brian Williams falsely insists he was on a helicopter in Iraq that was shot at?
It may be, ironically, that what Brian Williams claimed matters much less to us. Those who really care will check on the claims about Iran, Assad and Russian troops in the Ukraine, whereupon their credulity will give way to chuckling. But people don't really care about Brian Williams' story enough to bother checking, and so he gets away with it. That irks us more, I think, because he's counting simply on people not caring enough to check.
The fact remains, one must concede, that our standards are much looser for most media outlets than they are for TV news anchors.
Print journalism is indulged. For example, how many times have you read, in even the most respected newspapers, one or more of the following, presented as undisputed fact -- not just speculation, or the writer's unshakable belief, but as undisputed fact:
1. Iran is developing nuclear weapons.
2. Assad has used chemical weapons on civilians in Syria.
3. Russian troops are fighting in the Ukraine.
These "undisputed facts" are routinely presented in even highly respected print publications, with nary a raised eyebrow. Those who know better chuckle, of course, but most readers just accept them as they're presented -- as undisputed fact.
Why, then, should we get all worked up just because Brian Williams falsely insists he was on a helicopter in Iraq that was shot at?
It may be, ironically, that what Brian Williams claimed matters much less to us. Those who really care will check on the claims about Iran, Assad and Russian troops in the Ukraine, whereupon their credulity will give way to chuckling. But people don't really care about Brian Williams' story enough to bother checking, and so he gets away with it. That irks us more, I think, because he's counting simply on people not caring enough to check.
The fact remains, one must concede, that our standards are much looser for most media outlets than they are for TV news anchors.
8
1. Iran IS developing nuclear weapons.
2. Assad HAS used chemical weapons on civilians in Syria.
3. Russian troops ARE fighting in the Ukraine.
I really don't understand what all your chuckling is about.
2. Assad HAS used chemical weapons on civilians in Syria.
3. Russian troops ARE fighting in the Ukraine.
I really don't understand what all your chuckling is about.
Easy for people who have never had to worry about anti-aircraft fire to tie themselves in knots over "did his particular heli get hit? Or didn't it?".
Mr. Williams, as a newscaster, can communicate some of the excitement and danger of flying when people are trying to shoot you down. That he was anywhere near a helicopter flying through a war zone shows great personal bravery on his part. NBC would far better serve the American public with more of Mr. Williams and less of their current management.
Mr. Williams, as a newscaster, can communicate some of the excitement and danger of flying when people are trying to shoot you down. That he was anywhere near a helicopter flying through a war zone shows great personal bravery on his part. NBC would far better serve the American public with more of Mr. Williams and less of their current management.
9
Brian Williams is the Humpty Dumpty of news broadcasts. He had a great fall but threescore men and threescore more cannot place Humpty Dumpty as he was before. The skinny at NBC is that he will never be back.
9
"“This was wrong and completely inappropriate ...” Deborah Turness, the president of NBC News.
But NBC can't do without you, Brian. Take six months off and then come back. All this will be forgotten.
But NBC can't do without you, Brian. Take six months off and then come back. All this will be forgotten.
2
It ALL depends on world events between now amd then. If there's enough conflict or notariety this will be swept under the rug.
Only because I like his presentation I've watched Brian Williams version of the "what weather event
could we show with a reporter standing on top of a pile of snow or a reporter, wind whipping their coat and pretend it's really news. Give it up Brian. It's not you. The whole business you are in is rotten to the core
could we show with a reporter standing on top of a pile of snow or a reporter, wind whipping their coat and pretend it's really news. Give it up Brian. It's not you. The whole business you are in is rotten to the core
5
We've all gotten to know Brian Williams over the last ten years, and it didn't take much observational acumen to recognize him as a good, decent, kind, and humble man. If grandpa got a bit tipsy and spun a good yarn for our enjoyment, we didn't stop loving him. If Brian was a bit high on adrenaline and embellished a war story to provide a backdrop to show his admiration and love for our combat soldiers, big deal. Are we all that pious and sanctimonious that we can't cut the man a little slack? Once? Look around at the serial ethical offenders that run our country and our economy, recidivists who reliably and serially offend, and whom we forgive, even honor, for behavior one thousand times worse than this? What hypocrisy. What a joke. Please put down your rock, look hard in the mirror, and give it a much needed rest. Mr. Williams: get some sleep, its time to get back to work tomorrow!
20
If you are hired as a talking head and are hugely compensated for making the news sound real, be happy. You are not a reporter, you are an actor, at best. If you do something that makes it all but impossible to be taken as a serious purveyor of truth, you maybe forgiven by wife, children and friends, but. Being forgiven for a supposedly human foible does not necessarily mean you are the GUY the network should be paying 10 million a year. Would he have been hired for the job had the network recognized him a a man known for telling lies in very public forums.
Cronkite, Severied, Huntley were newsmen. This guy is a buffoon. I have one for an uncle...we love him...a buffoon, nonetheless. He would never rise far as a mortician, a priest, or a therapist. A liar for a journalist or reporter...Nah, it's a deal breaker.
Eric Severied was the last journalist out of Paris in WWII. He was so involved, he returned to the states and enlisted.
Did Williams actually graduate from college in Journalism, or take a class in ethics?
Cronkite, Severied, Huntley were newsmen. This guy is a buffoon. I have one for an uncle...we love him...a buffoon, nonetheless. He would never rise far as a mortician, a priest, or a therapist. A liar for a journalist or reporter...Nah, it's a deal breaker.
Eric Severied was the last journalist out of Paris in WWII. He was so involved, he returned to the states and enlisted.
Did Williams actually graduate from college in Journalism, or take a class in ethics?
OMG, best best post here, thank you for capturing what I have been trying to identify....."if grandpa got tipsy and told a yarn".
Do you think he understands he's been fired? I wonder if he is seriously sitting at home thinking to himself, well, sure six months is good and this will all blow over. Four months from now he it finally dawns on him one morning on the golf course; critical people have just been barely polite for weeks.
"Geez, I think they fired me!"
"Geez, I think they fired me!"
6
Imagine the yarn he could spin about the suspension. Reminds me of the old SNL character of John Lovitz
I do not agree Brian Williams was ever considered to belong in the same league as Walter Cronkite. Let's not embellish his credentials, please.
13
"Six months from now Mr. Williams will be best remembered as Peter Pan's father."
I know you're joking -- but I've heard he really is.
I know you're joking -- but I've heard he really is.
3
That's why we have and need NPR & PBS.
36
Yes, none of his peers came to his support because they don't dare to expose themselves to the same criticism that Brian Williams has come under. His peers have distorted the truth on a daily basis for years on matters that have a far greater impact on our people, our government, the environment, our relations with other countries, etc. I await the time when all those other "reporters" from other networks come under the same scrutiny as Williams. They are all probably feeling pretty lucky it wasn't them right now.
5
I spent eight years in the US Air Force, and let me tell you, Brian Williams as an embellisher of his resume is an amateur compared to practically anyone who has ever put on uniform. But I love my fellow veterans, and don't think less of them because of it. Unless of course, it gets out of hand, something like claiming your were in a war zone when you weren't. Some embellishing is worse than others, and what Mr. Williams has done doesn't rise to the level of the punishment he is receiving. NBC could have done better by him. He's been a great news anchor through the years. Oh, by the way, I didn't tell the truth about my USAF service. It wasn't 8 years. It was 7 yrs, 9 mos, and 23 days.
28
Many commenters -- very, very many -- make essentially the same point:
"Brian Williams is a journalist, yes, but he is a human being first."
Granted, but TV news anchors are different from most human beings: When they report the news to us, we expect that they're telling the truth. We don't want to have to wonder about that.
"Brian Williams is a journalist, yes, but he is a human being first."
Granted, but TV news anchors are different from most human beings: When they report the news to us, we expect that they're telling the truth. We don't want to have to wonder about that.
10
So we have this - and we have the news that Jon Stewart has announced that he will be leaving The Daily Show in a few months --
How sad...
Sad that - considering what's going on in the world (as well as around the corner from where you live) - the "news" about two television personalities...two entertainers...is apparently important enough to merit the front page of the New York Times website --
And how predictable that so many commentors here use this - yet again - as an opportunity to make it about politics and the "Us Against Them" itch which they apparently cannot stop scratching...
I'm willing to bet that in a few weeks - after Lester Holt has been sitting in the chair - someone will right an "Upshot" or "Room for Debate" piece in the Times with a catchy headline like -- "Should NBC reinstate Brian Williams?" -- which will be followed by "Should NBC hire a woman to permanently replace Brian Williams?" --
To quote Warner Wolf - "Folks, you could turn your sets off right there" ...
How sad...
Sad that - considering what's going on in the world (as well as around the corner from where you live) - the "news" about two television personalities...two entertainers...is apparently important enough to merit the front page of the New York Times website --
And how predictable that so many commentors here use this - yet again - as an opportunity to make it about politics and the "Us Against Them" itch which they apparently cannot stop scratching...
I'm willing to bet that in a few weeks - after Lester Holt has been sitting in the chair - someone will right an "Upshot" or "Room for Debate" piece in the Times with a catchy headline like -- "Should NBC reinstate Brian Williams?" -- which will be followed by "Should NBC hire a woman to permanently replace Brian Williams?" --
To quote Warner Wolf - "Folks, you could turn your sets off right there" ...
5
I would assume that a journalist stuck in the desert for 2 days would write some notes about the incident. Williams should surrender those notes.
6
Does this mean that Hillary's tale about being shot at in Bosnia will prevent her from being the next president? She lied just like Brian. What? We don't care if our leaders are liars?
8
....I adore my Hillary but I think this has to have her team panicking at the moment. This does NOT bode well for her! Think of Brian Williams as the canary in the coal mine,
Too bad Fox is not held to the same standard. There would be nobody left. Nobody!
31
Even the crawl would be suspended at Fox.
2
As I sit here on the street in Kabul I am more concerned that Jon Stewart is stepping down......
7
Are you really on the street in Kabul? Or is somebody else there, and you're just misremembering?
5
If NBC knows what is good for it, it will let him explain fully whether he did this intentionally or not. Some lofty readers seem to think that there's no way that in 12 years that a person might no remember that exactly the right timeline to a story. Wait til you get older cause stories and facts get all squirrelly in your head sometimes and it's not like he was trained to be in the line of fire because he was even if it wasn't his helicopter that was hit. Maybe it was just a little stress that happened at the time which really prevented him from knowing exactly what happened. We don't know because we aren't in his head. They have assumed he lied for his own purposes.
4
The trouble is that he was making false reports about the incident on the very day it happened. He also had his news crew there with him as witnesses
1
This episode marks the beginning of the end of all evening newscasts on network TV. It's an outdated method of disseminating national and world news. This unexpected shake-up is the perfect opportunity for network bosses to create a new forward-thinking format to compete with 24-hour news outlets favored by the majority of us.
6
The news crew that accompanied Brian Williams, in addition to others on board the helicopter he flew in, knew the truth and yet they seem to have been silent all these years ... Others within NBC surely knew and chose to stay silent or intimidated to remain so.
12
This is a sad and disappointing chapter in Mr. Williams' public life. But it is an inevitable one if you consider that among his traits there is some narcissism.
6
It's difficult to judge lie from stretching the truth from faded memories in this case, at least for me. Nevertheless, whichever reason Williams's story was fabricated, his punishment seems just. Maybe Williams could use his time away to review Journalism 101 texts, which stressed getting the facts straight.
At the least, perhaps Williams will be sufficiently humbled to remember that "celebrity journalism" is offensive. If he wants celebrity, he should look for a job in entertainment. In real journalism, a factual story should take precedence over the writer, "reader," publisher or network.
At least that's what I was taught.
At the least, perhaps Williams will be sufficiently humbled to remember that "celebrity journalism" is offensive. If he wants celebrity, he should look for a job in entertainment. In real journalism, a factual story should take precedence over the writer, "reader," publisher or network.
At least that's what I was taught.
4
Jon Stewart is set to replace Williams as anchor. Who else?!?! #johnstewartnbcnewsanchor
1
I have been a loyal follower of the Evening News for many, many years. I cried when Peter Jennings passed..so sad. And a loyal fan of Brian Williams. I supposed he is not the first nor will be the last reporter to "stretch the truth" in a story...but the point is WHY? The world and the truth is already so intense, amazing, messed up and inspiring- all at once- why would any reporter risk his reputation and career to what...add an extra bit of flavor to a news report- isn't war enough? do we have to dress it up for ratings!
That is just sick! And an insult and slap in the face to our armed service men, women and veterans. Shame on you!
That is just sick! And an insult and slap in the face to our armed service men, women and veterans. Shame on you!
6
Typical network response. They want to rely on the celebrity aspect of the news and create a personality – then when it all goes awry they then dump him. He is the best news reader in the country by a long way. How about leaving him to do that job well in the studio only. He has suffered enough.
4
We the puritan American public crucified Williams, not NBC. We demand perfection from public figures, although we are not perfect ourselves. NBC simply had no choice but to suspend (read: fire) Williams.
The entirety of a lifetime career should not be judged by one or two silly mistakes of which he derived no direct material benefit. If Williams had cheated on his wife, we would still demand his head. This is insane.
The entirety of a lifetime career should not be judged by one or two silly mistakes of which he derived no direct material benefit. If Williams had cheated on his wife, we would still demand his head. This is insane.
5
Really?....all these guys are entertainment hosts. There have not been real journalists for years in these positions for generations. Shocked? PLEASE!
They check into the most expensive hotels they can find and pretend they are reporting. It is a shame. He is probably a really nice guy but putting his life on the line for the story never crossed his mind.
They check into the most expensive hotels they can find and pretend they are reporting. It is a shame. He is probably a really nice guy but putting his life on the line for the story never crossed his mind.
7
....actually that is not true. Brian Williams had an editorial position and the entire show was a reflection of his priorities and approach.
1
Of course, this whole affair stinks…
I think he is genuinely a decent guy and he is being publicly flogged …
now I have always enjoyed his broadcast and have made a habit of watching/ recording his broadcast each evening…
he did a foolish thing and broke the standards of journalism…
but with that said, I will return to listening to him if/ when he returns…I have never listened without a filter to anyone anyhow since I was about twelve years old and this should remind us all to always do just that…
I and many others only wish his first response was more direct such as "I greatly exaggerated the entire set of events…I exaggerated the events for my own ego and I apologize and in the process showed a deep disrespect to our military, and I will voluntarily take a leave of absence"
I can only hope he does something worthwhile with these six months.
I guess I can forgive the guy, after all, the world is evil enough, lets give the guy a break
The majority of time, when I have comment I receive an enormous number of recommends, but that is unlikely this time
I think he is genuinely a decent guy and he is being publicly flogged …
now I have always enjoyed his broadcast and have made a habit of watching/ recording his broadcast each evening…
he did a foolish thing and broke the standards of journalism…
but with that said, I will return to listening to him if/ when he returns…I have never listened without a filter to anyone anyhow since I was about twelve years old and this should remind us all to always do just that…
I and many others only wish his first response was more direct such as "I greatly exaggerated the entire set of events…I exaggerated the events for my own ego and I apologize and in the process showed a deep disrespect to our military, and I will voluntarily take a leave of absence"
I can only hope he does something worthwhile with these six months.
I guess I can forgive the guy, after all, the world is evil enough, lets give the guy a break
The majority of time, when I have comment I receive an enormous number of recommends, but that is unlikely this time
11
He told a few stories and stretched the truth and more(Probably MADE THE Nonsense that passes for news more fun to listen to) and everyone is losing their collective minds-why? no one died- hundreds of thousands were not killed-countries weren't destroyed-people were not made homeless-the world economy was not almost wiped out people were not thrown out of their homes by greed etc etc- and the sheep are discussing and analyzing and condemning him? and questioning the credibility of the news organizations? Really? Time for a reality check or some adult supervision. Looks like the inmates are running the asylum again.
7
Who cares? Not me. He was making $10M. Now he can get unemployment.
7
What galls me the most about this is that I can't think of anyone Brian Williams has hurt by his actions. He has always been an honest and reliable source for the news. On the other hand, I can change the channel to Fox News where it's a constant stream of lies, character assassination and political distortion all under the banner of "fair and balanced." We put up with that gutter-trash journalism, and then become hysterical about an NBC anchor burnishing his resume. I just hope Brian Williams realizes that many of us out here in the real world still think the world of him and wish him the best.
19
Mr. Williams has hurt the millions of viewers who believed that he was telling the truth in his reporting from Iraq, Katrina and God knows where else.
This is just an example of how the media basically considers the news to be entertainment. With the popularity of FOX "news" thrown on top, we have lost a lot of integrity in the field of journalism.
8
In six months they'll reinstate Williams, as narrator of "Dateline NBC" aka "Murder of the Week."
1
I expected from NBC news as accurate and interesting news stories as any competitive sources. As a news anchorman, Mr. Williams was expected to present, synthesize and analyze facts. When he pleaded 'foggy recall', NBC lost my viewership. Considering others in his business who strive daily for accuracy and integrity, it would be unfair of me, and I believe of the entire news industry, to overlook this act of self-aggrandizement.
9
For 12 years, Williams concocted such deranged items (i.e: A dead body floating in the French Quarter). Most telling, however, with all of his "harrowing" experiences in the field, not a single crew member with him ever spoke up in corroboration.
I am a big chicken and willing to admit it. More that anything else, it is such a great disrespect to those who have actually served (including my late sister and my father). If I had been brave enough to be in the military, I would be furious. Williams owes THOSE WHO HAVE ACTUALLY SERVED an apology, first and foremost and LONG BEFORE trying to win the trust of the public back.
4
This really is teenage stuff - you know - wanting to be one of "the fool kids". But Mr Williams is 55 yrs old and in a responsible position of trust.
As I constantl tell my two teenage grandsons, if one must try to be cool, he absolutely is NAoT cool. Mr Williams worships the idea of being a brave, cool guy. He is neither.
As I constantl tell my two teenage grandsons, if one must try to be cool, he absolutely is NAoT cool. Mr Williams worships the idea of being a brave, cool guy. He is neither.
1
What a shame. six months for five million dollars.
NBC: Please suspend me too.
NBC: Please suspend me too.
6
The driving force behind NBC's decision is brand management. The network is presenting itself as stern on the issue of journalistic integrity, yet not so harsh as to be considered unenlightened. I have no problem with this.
Of course professionals make mistakes in every field, and in some fields there is just no hiding. This is truly an unforced error, however. Some day, Williams will have to publicly confront not only the breach of ethics but also the lack of necessity.
Of course professionals make mistakes in every field, and in some fields there is just no hiding. This is truly an unforced error, however. Some day, Williams will have to publicly confront not only the breach of ethics but also the lack of necessity.
5
This six month suspension is a classic corporate PR move to save the NBC News brand while not entirely alienating Mr. Williams' legions of regular viewers who are probably much more forgiving of his personal transgression than most. This announcement allows Mr. Williams to resign before the six months is reached by acknowledging his presence would be too much of a distraction to NBC. I wouldn't be surprised if his replacement has already been selected. Lester Holt appears to the natural successor. If Mr. Williams' self aggrandizing lie had changed the course of history, put anyone in harms way or was intended to malign or discredit someone, his immediate firing would have been the appropriate course of action. As it stands, those critics claiming outrage and calling for Mr. Williams' immediate dismissal, seems out of proportion to Mr. Williams' actual personal transgression. I suspect those leading the charge most vociferously against Brian Williams are members of the conservative media and those who consume conservative media content, all regular critics of the so-called "liberal" media and its supposed propagandizing for the Obama administration.
5
i think NBC and the 'real world ' has totally over reacted...I believe in Wiiliams, and am disappointed in Tom Browkaw and those who have jumped on the boo hoo bagwagon wish i was a perfect person who never made mistakes. good luck Brian
5
blah blah blah Nobody here has ever lied on their resume. I live among angels! "Let he who is without sin first cast a stone." I'm former aircrew, war correspondent, journalist, and a veteran of two wars. If I'm not bothered, why are you?
6
Why am I bothered? Simple. Mr. Williams' displays of a lack of integrity, the bedrock, indispensable element of truthful, reliable journalism.
10
Although I never once saw Brian Williams on NBC Nightly News, I am starting to feel an emotion that normally is a stranger to me—compassion. This piling on is starting to get ugly. NBC should either let him go, or back him up. The six months of purgatory is a cowardly reaction, design to get them off the hook for a while. The only fair way to handle this is to see if his ratings hold up.
5
I simply don't understand why more emphasis is not being put on the question of whether Brian Williams is a well man.
And is "mis remembering" a real word? Mr. Williams appears to be a chronic liar, and probably should get help. If he was "shattered" by the news of his suspension, it shows how out of touch he is.
And is "mis remembering" a real word? Mr. Williams appears to be a chronic liar, and probably should get help. If he was "shattered" by the news of his suspension, it shows how out of touch he is.
11
"He should be fired, not suspended."
He WAS fired. Whether NBC should be faulted for not frankly saying so -- who knows? But make no mistake: Brian Williams will never again anchor the NBC News.
He WAS fired. Whether NBC should be faulted for not frankly saying so -- who knows? But make no mistake: Brian Williams will never again anchor the NBC News.
13
If they said he was suspended and he was actually fired, then they are lying too. Should they fire themselves ?
1
This is much ado about nothing.
Good god, Dick Cheney and his fellow travelers lied through their teeth about Iraq, and as a result thousands of American soldiers are dead or wounded, a half million or so citizens of Iraq are dead or wounded, the American taxpayer is stuck picking up the tab for all the bloodshed that will probably top a trillion dollars before it's all totaled up, and now we're all up in arms about a newsman telling a little fib?
Seems our priorities are a bit out of whack.
Good god, Dick Cheney and his fellow travelers lied through their teeth about Iraq, and as a result thousands of American soldiers are dead or wounded, a half million or so citizens of Iraq are dead or wounded, the American taxpayer is stuck picking up the tab for all the bloodshed that will probably top a trillion dollars before it's all totaled up, and now we're all up in arms about a newsman telling a little fib?
Seems our priorities are a bit out of whack.
16
That's the point - without an honest media we wouldn't know those things about Cheney etc. And now, we have to question which fact here or which fact there isn't really as we were told.
Death by 1000 cuts. The worst is Palin's inevitable "I told you the lamestream media can't be trusted"
Death by 1000 cuts. The worst is Palin's inevitable "I told you the lamestream media can't be trusted"
Mr Williams is an entertainer and a very good one. He's been telling us for along time now but we haven't been paying attention being busy getting medical advice abour our children from Jenny McCarthy. He doesn't deserve that kind of punishment appropriate for a journalist.
1
I think this is harsh. But it is show business, not news, and CNN, FOX, and the Tweets have spoken. Sure, he made it up, he told a story. However; in terms of some earth shaking lack of integrity, He did not ruin any lives. He stole no money, no one was hurt by this. Williams was never a journalist, just a handsome show man who made a lot of money for himself and NBC doing a nightly entertainment show. Now NBC must fear they will lose the viewers. The big news has been semi-fiction and spin for years. The picture of Williams in high boots and jeans and a white shirt, his hair perfect, while covering Hurricane Katrina says it all. Just a big show.
4
Really? Why so much punishment for Williams? F. Zakaria was caught plagiarizing and he is still at CNN. Hey, we even had a Treasurer who was caught not reporting his taxes. Why such a big punishment for Williams? I am sure a lot of other journalists have done similar things... they just have not been caught yet. I do not condone his behavior, but I think he has been made into a scapegoat or something similar.
3
What a farce. An excellent tv newsman suspended because of the petty claims by critics on something that happened ten years or more ago when he was under fire in Iraq and was blown out of all proportion by these few busybodies with nothing more constructive to do. Meanwhile, a host of individuals with real crimes to account for in our war adventures in Iraq and Afghanistan are allowed to go scot free. It's the new justice system in which one is tried by a jury of one's twittering peers as they bury the selected victim under a flood of tiny scraps of fact and fiction.
9
No good deed goes unpunished. Williams got into this mess because he was caring enough to publicly honor the Sgt Major who was on the chopper with him in Iraq.
Frankly even though I was on a Black Hawk and not a Chinook in Iraq I remember a lot of wind and rotor noise. I literally could not hear the shots laid down by our guys that were aimed at a date plantation they believed offered cover to armed insurgents. I'm similarly sure that Williams would not have heard small arms fire if it had hit his chopper from a distance. He inferred that they stopped because they'd been hit. It was a reasonable guess.
I really wish the Stars and Stripes reporter had asked Williams' critics whether they or their friends had ever embellished war stories. I'm sure none of them have ever done that, especially in the company of attractive women. It also would have been good to know if any of them chose to get their news from Fox or whether any defined NBC as part of the "liberal media". This could have been ideologically motivated.
I like Lester Holt, and also Morning Joe, but I think I'll take a break from watching NBC. I don't like firms that mistreat their employees.
Frankly even though I was on a Black Hawk and not a Chinook in Iraq I remember a lot of wind and rotor noise. I literally could not hear the shots laid down by our guys that were aimed at a date plantation they believed offered cover to armed insurgents. I'm similarly sure that Williams would not have heard small arms fire if it had hit his chopper from a distance. He inferred that they stopped because they'd been hit. It was a reasonable guess.
I really wish the Stars and Stripes reporter had asked Williams' critics whether they or their friends had ever embellished war stories. I'm sure none of them have ever done that, especially in the company of attractive women. It also would have been good to know if any of them chose to get their news from Fox or whether any defined NBC as part of the "liberal media". This could have been ideologically motivated.
I like Lester Holt, and also Morning Joe, but I think I'll take a break from watching NBC. I don't like firms that mistreat their employees.
9
I don't understand why we haven't heard from other members of Williams's TV production crew who must have been on the helicopter with him. He doesn't aim cameras at himself, surely - they must know what did and did not happen to him and what he did and did not see while covering major stories. Something weird here the way I see it.
8
I'm eager to read the contemporaneous written report about the helicopter incident from the appropriate military unit.
Neither Williams nor his detractors nor any other third parties can be trusted to accurately recall events more than a decade ago.
Neither Williams nor his detractors nor any other third parties can be trusted to accurately recall events more than a decade ago.