Without pay. Now that would affect people like us, but for a guy making $10M + a year, I don’t think he’ll notice. As I noted on the show, I’m not sure how they bring him back after this. Perhaps this is just about stopping the bleeding at this point. I can’t see him coming back, can you? And what about his replacement? Now Savannah Guthrie’s name is coming up. Ultimately, I don’t think anything can save NBC, or any of the legacy news outfits. For far too long they’ve handled the news like it’s theatre, and for the last 7 years it’s only been about protecting Obama and their other political cronies. We shall see.
Brian Williams, anchor and managing editor of “NBC Nightly News,” has been suspended without pay for six months following his continued misrepresentation of events surrounding his coverage of the Iraq War, NBC said Tuesday night.
“We have decided today to suspend Brian Williams as managing editor and anchor of NBC Nightly News for six months,” NBC News president Deborah Turness said in a memo to staff sent to FoxNews.com. “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.”
In the same statement, CEO of NBC Universal Steve Burke said Williams’ actions were inexcusable and jeopardized the trust he has built up with viewers during his decade as the network’s lead anchor. But he said Williams deserved a second chance.
“We are rooting for him,” Burke said.
Williams apologized last week for saying he was in a helicopter that was hit by a grenade while covering the Iraq War in 2003. Instead, it turns out he was in a different group of helicopters and was not hit.
Turness said the network’s probe into Williams’ statements is continuing.
“Brian misrepresented events which occurred while he was covering the Iraq War in 2003,” she said. “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 Brian’s position.”
And yes, NBC Has Screwed Up Everything the Past Few Years: The Story in 90 Seconds
Brian Williams is now a pariah to NBC and damaged goods. Given his propensity for pathological lies, I don’t see how anyone can ever trust him again.
Agreed. I think NBC has no intention of ever having him back on the air. They probably just pulled this “six months” thing out of a hat, for damage-control, hope everyone will stop talking about the story.
I would love to see Ann Curry take his spot.
From a wikip review, the theme music for NBC Nightly News since 1985 has been, The Mission, by the other Williams, John. I guess that makes Brian Williams, The Mission Creep.
If B.W. were truly repentant,he could re-earn respect. Hugh Grant, Marv Albert & Gov Eliot Spitzer all redeemed themselves in the media. However, sex scandals are
different even though they contain lies & deceit.
I bet he regrets buying that guy Ranger tickets.
Brian reminds me of John Efing Kerry the war hero.
Karma came a knocking. Never watched him, won’t miss him. Would be good to see a few more of his kind leave the airwaves.