Posted on 02/10/2015 5:34:31 PM PST by servo1969
From: "Deborah Turness (NBCUniversal)"
Date: Tue, Feb 10, 2015 at 4:48 PM -0800
Subject: Brian Williams
To: "@NBC Uni NBC News All"
All,
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. We let Brian know of our decision earlier today. Lester Holt will continue to substitute Anchor the NBC Nightly News.
Our review, which is being led by Richard Esposito working closely with NBCUniversal General Counsel Kim Harris, is ongoing, but I think it is important to take you through our thought process in coming to this decision.
While on Nightly News on Friday, January 30, 2015, Brian misrepresented events which occurred while he was covering the Iraq War in 2003. It then became clear that on other occasions Brian had done the same while telling that story in other venues. This was wrong and completely inappropriate for someone in Brians position.
In addition, we have concerns about comments that occurred outside NBC News while Brian was talking about his experiences in the field.
As Managing Editor and Anchor of Nightly News, Brian has a responsibility to be truthful and to uphold the high standards of the news division at all times.
Steve Burke, Pat Fili and I came to this decision together. We felt it would have been wrong to disregard the good work Brian has done and the special relationship he has forged with our viewers over 22 years. Millions of Americans have turned to him every day, and he has been an important and well-respected part of our organization.
As Im sure you understand, this was a very hard decision. Certainly there will be those who disagree. But we believe this suspension is the appropriate and proportionate action.
This has been a difficult time. But NBC News is bigger than this moment. You work so hard and dedicate yourselves each and every day to the important work of bringing trusted, credible news to our audience. Because of you, your loyalty, your dedication, NBC News is an organization we can and should - all be proud of. We will get through this together.
Steve Burke asked me to share the following message.
This has been a painful period for all concerned and we appreciate your patience while we gathered the available facts. By his actions, Brian has jeopardized the trust millions of Americans place in NBC News. His actions are inexcusable and this suspension is severe and appropriate. Brians lifes 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 his deep remorse with me and he is committed to winning back everyones trust.
Deborah
Now that's just not true. I trust NBC just as much now as I did before Williams grew a clown nose. Two words, baby: Al Sharpton. Jump back, Jack.
It's not working (at least not with me)
Path...O...Log...I...Cal
Hmmm. How much money does floundering NBC save by not paying their anchor for the next six months?
I’ve been following this closely. There are comments in some articles claiming lybri and Turness are having an affair. Would explain why she fears for her job, no?
HOW IS IT THAT OUR NEWS READERS ARE HELD TO HIGHER STANDARDS THAN OUR PRESIDENT!!!!
The press is treating this like he died...and i am tired of a news reader being the top news...and hopefully his news persona is dead....how he handles his future is up to him....humility and remorse come to mind
6 days, 6 months, 6 decades
Our collective (a word that you might normally like) memory happens to exceed 6 months.
BTW, Deborah, a well-known compulsive liar reading your alleged "news" is not a good thing. We conservatives choose to never, ever, let this go.
.
And maybe all you peasants...... Errrr viewers, will forget all about the fact that our profession is composed of liars.
They will not fire this man.
NBC News does not have standards worth representing.
He’s part of the narrative. They will not fire the face of the liberal narrative. Now, or ever.
Williams tells a couple whoppers and he’s suspended for six months. May we apply the same rule to obama and pelosi and read?
Justimagine all the tales Brian will have after his leave is up. They think six months is a long enough time for people to forget about the lying braggart.
More than "a couple"; nearer a dozen known.
They threw the pamphlet at him!!
In my experience, the second chance never comes.
The six months is for BW to be “out of sight, out of mind” to let this blow over.
Then he will announce that he is pursuing other endeavors.
Normally, there would be the circling of wagons to protect one of their own.
I think BW did something to really piss very important people off, and this was the chance to get rid of him.
After all, NBC cannot be too sanctimonious—they knew of this infraction long ago and told him to knock it off.
This handwringing is a bit over the top.
I haven't watched the 'news' since Peter Jennings. I unplugged the cable 5 years ago.
Haven't missed anything
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