Nightly News anchor, Brian Williams has been suspended form the next six months without pay. NBC News president Deborah Turness has confirmed the news and with an explanation of [what they called] a ‘severe’ and ‘appropriate’ decision.
“We have decided today to suspend Brian Williams as Managing Editor and Anchor of NBC Nightly News for six months. The suspension will be without pay and is effective immediately.”
Like many viewers who were shocked by the decision, I wondered did the 22-year old veteran do to deserve such punishment.
According to the NBC executives, Brian put a huge liability on the company, and the trust of millions of its viewers with a ‘lie’ he told a few years back during the time of the Iraq War.
” His actions are inexcusable… Brian’s life’s work is delivering the news. I know Brian loves his country, NBC News and his colleagues. He deserves a second chance and we are rooting for him. Brian has shared deep remorse with me and he is committed to winning back everyone’s trust. – NBC Universal President, Steve Burke “
Williams added a lie of the events during the Iraq War. Williams stated that he was in the one of the helicopters that shot by ‘Al Qaeda’; which was false. Williams was in a helicopter that was hit and damaged but it was not at the hands of the enemy’s fire. The plane was actually jolted from the heavy equipment on the chopper which cause the swift landing.
So what probed Williams to lie? Fox News spoke to Piers Morgan who said that Williams stated that his poor action was nothing more than an impulsive move that was unscripted. Morgan went on to say that Williams should’ve been forgiven considered many of good accomplishments throughout his employment with the network.
Lester Holt is currently serving as the Nightly News anchor in the absence of Williams.
One Love PLUM’s!