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
Buh Bye Bri Bri!!
I would not look for Williams to come back, this is just helping him save face.
Al Sharpton and Geraldo Rivera still have their jobs.
Too bad Dan Rather did not get the same reatment after lying about GW Bush.
He’s gone for good.
You cannot pretend that your news is truth when your narrative reader is a chronic and bad liar.
This is how you fire someone without actually firing them at the present time.
It’s like once you are away from a problematic person or situation for six months, why go back?
Time for a clean cut.
Is that Brians career I just saw floating by?
I Bing-ed “Brian Williams bio” and under the short bio that appeared on the right-hand side of the screen were other news anchors. The pictures of Tom Brokaw and Mike Wallace looked like much shots which seemed somehow appropriate.
I think he is done before the cameras.
Where’s that Powers Booth picture?
My take on this, others have come to this conclusion as well, Brian Williams is over at NBC ... he won’t be back.
I knew a man with a crooked face...
So....who’s Brian Williams..?
I’m sure that after six months he will no longer be a liar. </ sarc>
While I think this was the correct decision, I am feeling sad that Brian Williams felt the need to lie about himself this way, and self-destruct.
Perhaps we all should pray for a man who has lost his career, his integrity, and his honor, that he is able to come to terms with his failures, and rebuild his life in some meaningful way.
I hope he gets counseling and support, otherwise he may fall farther down in the hole he has dug for himself.
There but for the grace of God...
The liberal jackass isn't respected any longer.
What is Bri going to come back as in six months?
A half-year old joke?
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