Caught in a lie. Brian Williams

[graciegirl]

In this age of transparency and tracking and cameras and world "eyes" not many can get away with fibs for long, especially if you are in the public eye.

What do you think about this situation?

[dewilson58]

Quotes:
A mistake in recalling the events of 12 years ago..........

"I said I was traveling in an aircraft that was hit by (enemy) fire," he said. "Instead, I was in the following aircraft."

I don't think it was just a mistake in recalling the events............he knew what he was saying, what he did or did not do we years ago.

[Bucco]

In this age of transparency and tracking and cameras and world "eyes" not many can get away with fibs for long, especially if you are in the public eye.

What do you think about this situation?

I am shocked at this. I just wonder WHY....WHY would someone like him do this, assuming he has and it sure looks as if the charges are valid.

Remember the day when the anchor on the new was trusted ? Dan Rather and his rather pathetic attempt to get Bush is the first thing I think of as that might have been the first of the cracking of confidence in these guys.

We now hear there may be more incidents, and it has to give you pause. I have been suspicious of ALL media for a number of years now, and rely on them, and that includes cable news folks, for absolutely nothing. I do my own research and do my own fact checking. That way I can ignore spin, character attacks and concentrate on what is REALLY happening.

[buzzy]

At least Walter Cronkite never claimed to be reporting from the moon.

[Cedwards38]

Damages his credibility as the news anchor but:


John 8:7 King James Version (KJV)

"So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her."

[DeanFL]

I was going to write my thoughts on this topic, but I misremembered. Guess my brain cells are getting conflated.

Glad I'm not a working news anchor and simply a retired guy in TV.

[dewilson58]

Since he invented the computer, maybe we can forgive this lie.


:super:

[GolfGirl122]

"At least Walter Cronkite never claimed to be reporting from the moon."

lol - thanks Buzzy!

[quirky3]

Proof positive!

[DeanFL]

and...

[villagetinker]

It is interesting, accident victims, and assault victims have many times been shown to remember things wrong when there is a video showing what actually happened. I have experienced similar occurrences during a close call when there were other people in the car, each had a slightly different story.
So during a helicopter ride, in a war, with shooting going on, I would cut the guy a break, especially with the several years that have gone by.
I look at it this way, there were some questions asked now, going forward, everyone involved is going to be doubly sure they are correct, too much at stake.
Just my humble opinion.

[rp001]

He screwed up and it will cost him his career. Believe me, if he had come under fire he would have remembered it and the evasive maneuvers the chopper would take. I liked him too. The last honest newsman we had was of course Cronkite and before that Murrow or maybe Huntley Brinkley. Today all news is slanted by owners opinions and talking points reinforced throughout the day!

[gomoho]

but he said when he was a teenage volunteer firefighter (never knew there was such a thing) he crawled on his hands and knees and rescued a puppy, which later became two puppies when he retold the story. I'm not kidding.

[manaboutown]

This is another nail in the mainstream media coffin.

[Challenger]

In this age of transparency and tracking and cameras and world "eyes" not many can get away with fibs for long, especially if you are in the public eye.

What do you think about this situation?

Brian Williams Lied.
He repeated the lie several times.
He was not on the plane or even in the same sortie
I understand that he arrived on a flight an hour or more after the incident.
He then equivocated when caught and tried to claim that his memory was "fuzzy". That is truly Bovine Scatology.

He could have shut this down quickly if his apology had been honest, sincere and unembelished.

When will offenders learn that lesson?

[rubicon]

Brian Williams reporting was so slanted that i am surprised that people are surprised regarding his embellishments about his trip to a war zone. As I recall Hillary said something similar.

Walter Cronkite, whom I respected, is the reason better than 80% of journalist have a heavily leaning liberal bias.

I believe journalist like jurist need to remove as much of their bias as is humanly possible in order to be objective in their opinions. However it seems that this once sacred practice has disappeared and in many instances so has the sacred practice of ethical reporting.

[bagboy]

Let's not forget his Katrina report of a body floating by his hotel in a mostly dry French Quarter district. In his anchor position, he doesn't have the leeway to embellish and skew the facts for any reason. We expect more from our news people, but maybe that is our fault. No, I don't believe Brian Williams will survive this. Nor should he.

[Sandtrap328]

It actually makes no difference to me if he said his helicopter got hit or not. We all have to take the television news with a grain of salt. He was trying to make it seem that his network went that extra step.

Brian Williams is not the first news anchor to fabricate sidebars to actuality nor will he be the last.

Google and you can see how Meagan Kelley and Sean Hannity have both been caught stretching the facts.

[Bucco]

It actually makes no difference to me if he said his helicopter got hit or not. We all have to take the television news with a grain of salt. He was trying to make it seem that his network went that extra step.

Brian Williams is not the first news anchor to fabricate sidebars to actuality nor will he be the last.

Google and you can see how Meagan Kelley and Sean Hannity have both been caught stretching the facts.

Not defending anyone here, BUT the two folks you mention from Fox are NOT newscasters. They do NOT report, but comment on news. Williams reports news and as such has a much higher standard.

Your confusion about this is the basis for much of our ill informed electorate. It is a serious one, as no one should tune into either of those you mention OR Rachael Maddow or many on CNN for NEWS.

NOT knowing this difference is a very serious flaw.

[graciegirl]

Journalism is about getting the facts and reporting them accurately.

I don't know what we are subjected to anymore, but it isn't that. The talking heads opine and edit and just plain lie sometimes. But mostly they take us all down a myriad of primrose paths. They change the subject and they omit and they varnish. I can't think of one who doesn't.

[redwitch]

I really wish our reporters would do just that -- report the news. I don't want giggles. I don't want your version. I don't want your personal stories. Just the facts, thank you very much. I'm a big girl and will ingest those facts as I see fit.

Commentators are free to say what they will, so long as they let people know these are their opinions. Again, I'll listen and decide on my own.

This is why I like Al Jazeera America. I know when I am listening to news and when I am hearing opinions. Their news really does seem to be based on facts. When needed, both sides of the coin are given. When it is conjecture, whether by the reporter or a statesman or someone on the streets, they let you know.

As to Mr. Williams, he got hung by his own petard. For now, he has taken a leave of absence since he supposedly doesn't want to be the story. I hope he doesn't come back. We deserve better.

[Challenger]

I really wish our reporters would do just that -- report the news. I don't want giggles. I don't want your version. I don't want your personal stories. Just the facts, thank you very much. I'm a big girl and will ingest those facts as I see fit.

Commentators are free to say what they will, so long as they let people know these are their opinions. Again, I'll listen and decide on my own.

This is why I like Al Jazeera America. I know when I am listening to news and when I am hearing opinions. Their news really does seem to be based on facts. When needed, both sides of the coin are given. When it is conjecture, whether by the reporter or a statesman or someone on the streets, they let you know.

As to Mr. Williams, he got hung by his own petard. For now, he has taken a leave of absence since he supposedly doesn't want to be the story. I hope he doesn't come back. We deserve better.

I find Al Jazerra to be the best "News" outlet on TV

That from a right of center ,white, protestant , anglo with a military background. NEVER THOUGHT THAT I WOULD BE SAYING THAT:ohdear:

[Bucco]

I really wish our reporters would do just that -- report the news. I don't want giggles. I don't want your version. I don't want your personal stories. Just the facts, thank you very much. I'm a big girl and will ingest those facts as I see fit.

Commentators are free to say what they will, so long as they let people know these are their opinions. Again, I'll listen and decide on my own.

This is why I like Al Jazeera America. I know when I am listening to news and when I am hearing opinions. Their news really does seem to be based on facts. When needed, both sides of the coin are given. When it is conjecture, whether by the reporter or a statesman or someone on the streets, they let you know.

As to Mr. Williams, he got hung by his own petard. For now, he has taken a leave of absence since he supposedly doesn't want to be the story. I hope he doesn't come back. We deserve better.

What I find very disconcerting is that people watch the various cable "news" channels and consider that they are actually watching new. Oh, they get a smattering which is manipulated by editors to omit, embellish, and move the story to the direction they want.

The post above alluding to a certain cable channel, and folks on there "stretching the facts" really concerns me because people believe they are actually watching news.

It is difficult today, to get facts and takes more work than it should.

Have only "tested" Al Jazzeera but will revisit, however they are not immune...

"One and a half years ago, Suliman, 42, re-set his watch to German time, having become disenchanted with Al-Jazeera. And it wasn't just because the broadcaster seemed less interested in reports from Europe. Rather, Suliman had the feeling that he was no longer being allowed to work as an independent journalist.

Last August, he quit his job. "Before the beginning of the Arab Spring, we were a voice for change," he says, "a platform for critics and political activists throughout the region. Now, Al-Jazeera has become a propaganda broadcaster."

Suliman is not the only one who feels bitterly disappointed. The Arab TV network has recently suffered an exodus of prominent staff members. Reporters and anchors in cities like Paris, London, Moscow, Beirut and Cairo have left Al-Jazeera, despite what are seen as luxurious working conditions in centrally located offices. And despite the fact that the network is investing an estimated $500 million (€375 million) in the US, so as to reach even more viewers on the world's largest television market -- one in which its biggest competitor, CNN, is at home.

Al Jazeera Criticized for Lack of Independence after Arab Spring - SPIEGEL ONLINE (http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/al-jazeera-criticized-for-lack-of-independence-after-arab-spring-a-883343.html)

PS....this link goes back a year and half ago, so perhaps the situation is cured...if so I apologize and am willing to delete. Just showing that they all get accused. I will begin to watch...just tracked down the channel number

[Topspinmo]

Not defending anyone here, BUT the two folks you mention from Fox are NOT newscasters. They do NOT report, but comment on news. Williams reports news and as such has a much higher standard.

Your confusion about this is the basis for much of our ill informed electorate. It is a serious one, as no one should tune into either of those you mention OR Rachael Maddow or many on CNN for NEWS.

NOT knowing this difference is a very serious flaw.

:bigbow::bigbow::bigbow:

[janmcn]

NBC PLAN to save Brian Williams (http://www.politico.com/playbook/0215/playbook17027.html)


NBC's big dilemma is the fact that Brian Williams is number one in his time slot by a wide margin, and they really don't have anybody ready to take over. So they will take a wait-and-see attitude while Lester Holt fills in this week.

[billethkid]

He violated his position's rules.
He violated the trust of his followers.
He needs to be removed.

It will be very surprising and in fact revealing if he is allowed to return.....number one or not....wrong is wrong. His value cannot be the same to the listening public anymore.

[Moderator]

Please limit your comments to the Brian Williams story. Many posts have been removed/hidden that delved into politics or were otherwise off topic. General discussion about media and their coverage of politics should be conducted in the political forum.

Thread will be closed if the tangents persist.

[pbkmaine]

There are things I remember vividly from my childhood that my brothers say never happened. So I think memory can be a tricky thing.

[Villageswimmer]

If NBC doesn't have a succession plan, shame on them. Lester Holt is excellent IMHO.

[tomwed]

Remember the panic of the Orson Wells broadcast War of the Worlds.

"But in the end, there was no massive panic and the spike in calls to the police is one of the few bits of evidence we have that at least a small percentage of the listeners had concerns or complaints over the broadcast. Quite simply, newspapers created the “panic” after the fact (including U.S. newspapers writing nearly 13,000 articles on it over the next month), the public swallowed up the newspaper’s reports, and radio and CBS particularly were happy to embrace the claims as a demonstration of the power of the new medium, which was good for advertising dollars and ratings."

Who knows whats true? Who knows who is pulling the strings?

I heard an NPR show that I can't find. The Doctor was saying if you lie to a child when they are five 3 times it gets recorded in their memory. The example he used was telling a child if they remember the scary clown that visited the class. The first time the child is asked they say no, the second time they say maybe and the third time they remember. He said that's it not unusual that people see the same event and remember it differently.

And some people lie, especially if it's in their best interest.

nothing new

[Bucco]

Remember the panic of the Orson Wells broadcast War of the Worlds.

"But in the end, there was no massive panic and the spike in calls to the police is one of the few bits of evidence we have that at least a small percentage of the listeners had concerns or complaints over the broadcast. Quite simply, newspapers created the “panic” after the fact (including U.S. newspapers writing nearly 13,000 articles on it over the next month), the public swallowed up the newspaper’s reports, and radio and CBS particularly were happy to embrace the claims as a demonstration of the power of the new medium, which was good for advertising dollars and ratings."

Who knows whats true? Who knows who is pulling the strings?

I heard an NPR show that I can't find. The Doctor was saying if you lie to a child when they are five 3 times it gets recorded in their memory. The example he used was telling a child if they remember the scary clown that visited the class. The first time the child is asked they say no, the second time they say maybe and the third time they remember. He said that's it not unusual that people see the same event and remember it differently.

And some people lie, especially if it's in their best interest.

nothing new

Not sure I understand this post. You are comparing a radio fictional show to a newscaster, who recently became number 1 and is charged with REPORTING NEWS ??????

And you say "nothing new". What other NEWS BROADCASTER can you share that has lied ?

[tomwed]

Not sure I understand this post. You are comparing a radio fictional show to a newscaster, who recently became number 1 and is charged with REPORTING NEWS ??????

And you say "nothing new". What other NEWS BROADCASTER can you share that has lied ?

After the show the newspapers and radio news broadcast made the point that this fictional story caused real panic when it did not. That's the lie.

I don't have any broadcasters to share with you. Therefore he must be the only one that ever lied.

[mgjim]

I assume there was once a time when journalists were impartial and genuinely wanted to tell the truth. These days, news readers on the networks and cable news outlets are paid so much money that it becomes much more about personality than it does about journalistic integrity. These guys and gals have to become self-promoters in order to get the best jobs. I wonder if this didn't have something to do with Williams' twisting of the facts.

He's got to go but I suspect they'll never find a truly impartial and honest replacement. NBC may not even want to find a real journalist...too much money involved. Maybe we'll see a Kardashian behind the news desk one of these days.

About the only thing we can do is access as many news sources as possible and then try to sift through it all to find the truth.

[Shimpy]

He screwed up and it will cost him his career. Believe me, if he had come under fire he would have remembered it and the evasive maneuvers the chopper would take.!

To me he was very likeable even though I didn't agree with his liberal views. It was reported today that he was making 10 million per year so he won't be visiting food kitchens if he get dumped which I think he should.
If not, how can he have any credibility with viewers that know he lied several times not to mention the ones that were not caught?

[blueash]

In what venue did Williams tell his story? Rather told his on his news show. Where did Williams tell his? And what exactly did he say, and what according to others was the true story? If a newsman tells a story to the Kiwanis club with embellishment, does that mean that when he is on the air he is not accurately reporting the news? Did CNN report that in fact his helicopter was also fired upon but not the main target of the attack? I have not found those details and wish someone would post them here

[Bucco]

In what venue did Williams tell his story? Rather told his on his news show. Where did Williams tell his? And what exactly did he say, and what according to others was the true story? If a newsman tells a story to the Kiwanis club with embellishment, does that mean that when he is on the air he is not accurately reporting the news? Did CNN report that in fact his helicopter was also fired upon but not the main target of the attack? I have not found those details and wish someone would post them here

Timeline in this link and if you google Brian Williams you will get pages and pages of stories and links

How Brian Williams' Iraq story changed - Feb. 5, 2015 (http://money.cnn.com/2015/02/05/media/brian-williams-iraq-timeline/)

[Philip Drugge]

Gabriel Heater and the News! The real McCoy (ahh, Heater)

[Philip Drugge]

And this guy gets paid millions not to be "misremembering! Kind of makes you lose faith in all of these newscasters who are nothing more than actors, paid to look good.

[Bucco]

After the show the newspapers and radio news broadcast made the point that this fictional story caused real panic when it did not. That's the lie.

I don't have any broadcasters to share with you. Therefore he must be the only one that ever lied.

I dont know....but will share a few things...

from Wiki...

"Producer John Houseman noticed that at about 8:32 p.m. ET, CBS supervisor Davidson Taylor received a telephone call in the control room. Creasing his lips, Taylor left the studio and returned four minutes later, "pale as death". He had been ordered to interrupt "The War of the Worlds" broadcast immediately with an announcement of the program's fictional content, but by that time actor Ray Collins was choking on the roof of Broadcasting Building and the break was less than a minute away. During the sign-off theme the phone began ringing. Houseman picked it up and the furious caller announced he was mayor of a Midwestern town where mobs were in the streets. Houseman hung up quickly: "For we were off the air now and the studio door had burst open."[3]:404

The following hours were a nightmare. The building was suddenly full of people and dark-blue uniforms. Hustled out of the studio, we were locked into a small back office on another floor. Here we sat incommunicado while network employees were busily collecting, destroying or locking up all scripts and records of the broadcast. Finally the Press was let loose upon us, ravening for horror. How many deaths had we heard of? (Implying they knew of thousands.) What did we know of the fatal stampede in a Jersey hall? (Implying it was one of many.) What traffic deaths? (The ditches must be choked with corpses.) The suicides? (Haven't you heard about the one on Riverside Drive?) It is all quite vague in my memory and quite terrible.[3]:404

Paul White, head of CBS News, was quickly summoned to the office — "and there bedlam reigned", he wrote:

The telephone switchboard, a vast sea of light, could handle only a fraction of incoming calls. The haggard Welles sat alone and despondent. "I'm through," he lamented, "washed up." I didn't bother to reply to this highly inaccurate self-appraisal. I was too busy writing explanations to put on the air, reassuring the audience that it was safe. I also answered my share of incessant telephone calls, many of them from as far away as the Pacific Coast.[21]:47–48

The War of the Worlds (radio drama) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_War_of_the_Worlds_%28radio_drama%29)

I have seen a few places..that rag Slate for one...who just need to vent on everything who question everything BUT

Bottom line is that in my opinion, there is NO...NONE relationship. The Williams story is important as it it REAL, not some fictional story. This is a man responsible to deliver NEWS to the nation.....REAL NEWS, and the on thing that is a model for that person is to be trusted. Once the public does not trust you, it is over.

[kcrazorbackfan]

I like Brian Williams. Truth be known, WE ALL HAVE A SKELETON (we've all lied about something, haven't we?) IN THE CLOSET. Those that are wanting to tar and feather him, quit riding your high horses and take a chill pill. His lie was a little bit more high profile than yours, but, when it comes down to it, it was just a lie.

[Bucco]

An important and well written take on this Williams story, perhaps underscorin the seriousness of it versus something like a fictional soap opera...

"The role of the network news anchor has changed dramatically over the years.

Walter Cronkite was known as the most-trusted man in America when he presided over the "CBS Evening News." In the 1987 film "Broadcast News," Jack Nicholson played a network anchor who strode around a Washington, D.C. station like a colossus, almost a deity, and the portrayal was considered both funny and accurate by those in the news business.

Without question, the influence of the network anchors has waned over the years, with the fragmentation of news delivery. Fewer people wait for the anchors to read the news (though millions still do – just fewer millions). Why wait when you can get the latest headlines on your phone or laptop? We get the news we want now, or whenever we want it. To a growing number of people, waiting for the nightly news is so old-school as to be archaic.

Yet the one thing mainstream media, a term used with increasing derision, has been able to count on is credibility. Sure, we may not get it first, goes the argument, and it may not be as flashy, but we spend the time to make sure it is accurate. Implicit in this is a suggestion that news delivered by other sources is less reliable. Now Williams, in shooting himself in the foot with fabrications, opens the door to criticism that no media can be trusted.

It's a stunning development, really.

Brian Williams: How bad -- and how important -- is this? (http://www.azcentral.com/story/billgoodykoontz/2015/02/05/brian-williams-nbc-news-iraq-apology/22930805/)

[njbchbum]

It actually makes no difference to me if he said his helicopter got hit or not. We all have to take the television news with a grain of salt. He was trying to make it seem that his network went that extra step.

Brian Williams is not the first news anchor to fabricate sidebars to actuality nor will he be the last.

Google and you can see how Meagan Kelley and Sean Hannity have both been caught stretching the facts.


And his employer has been known to go the 'extra step' and distort news coverage. Doesn't say much for NBC: Zimmerman, Martin, the Pledge of Allegiance, the Offerman ad, blaming Israel for a strike on the Gaza Strip. Did anyone lose their job over any of those incidents?

[graciegirl]

I like Brian Williams. Truth be known, WE ALL HAVE A SKELETON (we've all lied about something, haven't we?) IN THE CLOSET. Those that are wanting to tar and feather him, quit riding your high horses and take a chill pill. His lie was a little bit more high profile than yours, but, when it comes down to it, it was just a lie.


It is foolish to lie, when the truth will serve you.

[njbchbum]

I like Brian Williams. Truth be known, WE ALL HAVE A SKELETON (we've all lied about something, haven't we?) IN THE CLOSET. Those that are wanting to tar and feather him, quit riding your high horses and take a chill pill. His lie was a little bit more high profile than yours, but, when it comes down to it, it was just a lie.

So, is lying acceptable - white lie or not?

Meet my horse - his name is 'High' :0000000000luvmyhors

[DugCave]

I believe Brian was stretching the truth to emphasize the seriousness of the situations he was reporting on, not to make himself look good. This is a non issue for me. There's always plenty of people just waiting to bring someone down when they are at the top.

[Wallyworld]

This is why I have not watched NBC news for over fourteen years, thank you Fox News Channel!

[gomoho]

I believe Brian was stretching the truth to emphasize the seriousness of the situations he was reporting on, not to make himself look good. This is a non issue for me. There's always plenty of people just waiting to bring someone down when they are at the top.

You do understand they are investigating several other of his possible embellishments. If he is found guilty of others will this still be a non issue?

[graciegirl]

I believe Brian was stretching the truth to emphasize the seriousness of the situations he was reporting on, not to make himself look good. This is a non issue for me. There's always plenty of people just waiting to bring someone down when they are at the top.

It is hard to stay at the top, and I liked Brian Williams, but if your job is to report factual information than that was a very poor judgment call in my book.

We have two journalists in our family who are still young and idealistic and tease their grandmother about my reporting of family activities. They say that I make it far more interesting than it was, but I don't get paid for my reporting.

[robertj1954]

This incident involving Brian Williams is disturbing given his job as the top news correspondent and news editor. But since I do not watch NBC because of their editorial content or lack of A more complete coverage on news worthy events. I think it is up to those who watch NBC News to decide his future with NBC.

[Bay Kid]

In this age of transparency and tracking and cameras and world "eyes" not many can get away with fibs for long, especially if you are in the public eye.

What do you think about this situation?

I think, as I told my children, one lie always leads to another lie.

[blueash]

Timeline in this link and if you google Brian Williams you will get pages and pages of stories and links

How Brian Williams' Iraq story changed - Feb. 5, 2015 (http://money.cnn.com/2015/02/05/media/brian-williams-iraq-timeline/)

Thanks for that link. There seem to be two key questions. Some of the participants report that there was a convoy of 4 helicopters one of which held Williams and a general. When the lead helicopter was shot Williams' turned back for safety then rejoined the other 3 an hour later. A second version is that Williams' helicopter was never with the other 3 and never saw the rpg attack. There is no difference of story on whether the helicopter with Williams spent 2 or 3 days on the ground with the other helicopters due to a sandstorm.

In the first situation Williams' convoy clearly came under attack and as he most often told the story the helicopter directly in front of him (not an hour in front of him) took a hit and his helicopter may have received some gunfire. If he and the general were really completely out of visual range and harm from the attack then his career is over. It would be best to ask the general who would be a hopefully trustworthy source, but he is dead.

Next options would be to interview the others who were on the helicopter with Williams if they can be located and are willing to be interviewed. I must say however I do not always believe the recall of eyewitnesses especially when it has become politically expedient to recall a certain way to torpedo someone's career. See swiftboat. Does the military create a mission report for every incident especially one with a general aboard? that one I would trust.

[billethkid]

I would venture to say that no matter how busy one may be, there are certain things in life...let's call them significant events.....that are just not forgotten.

I would think being in a helicopter in a war zone and being struck by enemy fire would be a crystal clear memory for life!!!

All the rationalizing, the ones that are trying to give Brian the benefit of the doubt, is just that...rationalizing.

Isn't it a shame that being number one isn't sufficient. Secondly to knowingly dupe the audience that made him number one.

He needs to be removed, his credibility and the network (what little they may have) is damaged.

[graciegirl]

This incident involving Brian Williams is disturbing given his job as the top news correspondent and news editor. But since I do not watch NBC because of their editorial content or lack of A more complete coverage on news worthy events. I think it is up to those who watch NBC News to decide his future with NBC.


I watch them all, and I even tried to watch Al Jazeera again last night because someone on this forum said it was good. I really can't say I like it. Some woman with bad make up and an accent was reporting and she just didn't sound professional. Maybe that is called prejudice.

I think that the problem lies with news channels that go on and on and on is that you can only say so much that is factual and then you get into speculation and that is no better than gossip over the back fence. OR the game of telephone. Things get distorted and blown out of proportion.

[De Lis]

He was caught lying about his lie! Fire him.

[AriaGrandparents2013]

In my opinion it's much easier to tell the truth as then you have to remember only one story.

I gave up watching Brian Williams years ago and am now glad I did.

[LndLocked]

This is why I have not watched NBC news for over fourteen years, thank you Fox News Channel!

No "news" channel is constantly wrong more than Fox.

Fox News more wrong than ever: New Politifact review finds pundits spewing mostly lies (http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2015/01/fox-news-more-wrong-than-ever-new-politifact-review-finds-pundits-spewing-mostly-lies/)


As for Brian Williams ... I am deeply disappointed in him and he will forever be tainted by both the lie/stretching of the truth and the lie to cover up / rationalize the first one.

[AriaGrandparents2013]

No "news" channel is constantly wrong more than Fox.

Fox News more wrong than ever: New Politifact review finds pundits spewing mostly lies (http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2015/01/fox-news-more-wrong-than-ever-new-politifact-review-finds-pundits-spewing-mostly-lies/)


As for Brian Williams ... I am deeply disappointed in him and he will forever be tainted by both the lie/stretching of the truth and the lie to cover up / rationalize the first one.

Would suggest reading the attached link which analyzed the claim in your Polifact claim.......the attached link concludes as follows:

But the fact is that unsupportable, boneheaded claims such as “over half of ALL” — thanks for that all-caps attack, Einstein von Brainstorm — “statements made on Fox News Are False” will live forever, because people are mostly interested in having their biases confirmed and their values affirmed rather than learning new things about the world and how it works. True, much as I like yelling at people on television, it is pretty hard to feel too bad for Fox News and MSNBC over an exercise in confirmation bias, but this sort of sloppy thinking and malicious manipulation does have the effect of leaving the polity a little dumber than it absolutely has to be. And that is an unforgivable sin.

[patfla06]

Brian's credibility is gone.
NBC should say goodbye.

[CFrance]

He screwed up and it will cost him his career. Believe me, if he had come under fire he would have remembered it and the evasive maneuvers the chopper would take. I liked him too. The last honest newsman we had was of course Cronkite and before that Murrow or maybe Huntley Brinkley. Today all news is slanted by owners opinions and talking points reinforced throughout the day!

How do you know Cronkite was honest?? That was before the age of the internet and vetting and fact checking, and all that other good stuff. Nobody called out presidents for anything till Nixon. Probably not trusted media types either.

Too bad. He lied about it more than once, too. On to Lester Holt!

[CFrance]

And his employer has been known to go the 'extra step' and distort news coverage. Doesn't say much for NBC: Zimmerman, Martin, the Pledge of Allegiance, the Offerman ad, blaming Israel for a strike on the Gaza Strip. Did anyone lose their job over any of those incidents?

Oh yeah, like FOX has never done that! Check out their apology for stating Paris has No GoZones, for just a start.

They"re all subject to exaggeration. Let he who lives in a glass house...

[2BNTV]

Proof positive!

Good one. Too bad Lincoln didn't dodge, a bullet. :D

I think this episode will permanently damage his credibility. I hope this doesn't bring an end to his career as a news anchor, but I think it will.

Give me the days of Walter Cronkite, who always the news was more important than him.

[kcrazorbackfan]

It is foolish to lie, when the truth will serve you.

So, is lying acceptable - white lie or not?

Meet my horse - his name is 'High' :0000000000luvmyhors

It is foolish to lie, GG, and no, lying is not acceptable, njbchbum, but EVERYBODY has done it one time or another.

As a Law Enforcement Officer, I was (and most LEO's will agree) lied to everyday. Did I call them a liar? Nope, just kept writing the citation and if it was contested in court, I told the truth about why the ticket was written; funny thing, people usually had a way of hanging themselves in court.

Everyone wants to be #1 in news broadcasting; Brian Williams just went about it the wrong way. Was it wrong? Yes. Should he be fired? No, maybe suspended for a while but not fired.

[graciegirl]

It is foolish to lie, GG, and no, lying is not acceptable, njbchbum, but EVERYBODY has done it one time or another.

As a Law Enforcement Officer, I was (and most LEO's will agree) lied to everyday. Did I call them a liar? Nope, just kept writing the citation and if it was contested in court, I told the truth about why the ticket was written; funny thing, people usually had a way of hanging themselves in court.

Everyone wants to be #1 in news broadcasting; Brian Williams just went about it the wrong way. Was it wrong? Yes. Should he be fired? No, maybe suspended for a while but not fired.


My point was that Brian Williams didn't have to make up ANYTHING to be well liked and secure in his position.

And of course at the age of 75 I am well aware of people's behavior and my own.

But when you are in the news reporting business you are expected to speak the truth to the public.

[CFrance]

My point was that Brian Williams didn't have to make up ANYTHING to be well liked and secure in his position.

And of course at the age of 75 I am well aware of people's behavior and my own.

But when you are in the news reporting business you are expected to speak the truth to the public.
Agree. I will not be surprised if he "decides to resign."

[sunnyatlast]

I don't see why people put these news readers on such a high pedestal in the first place.

It's not like they are making decisions in the Oval Office or anything. And they are paid a lot more than the President.

To me they are much ado about nothing.

[CFrance]

Say what you will, and I for one am grateful for the new transparency...but say what you will about Fox News, it is number one, again and again and again. And this was on Huff post. Somehow it makes me feel better than if MSNBC were number one...what they say usually makes me upset, although I don't agree with everything Fox says either.

Fox News Dominates Cable News Ratings In 2014; MSNBC Tumbles (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/30/fox-news-cable-news-ratings_n_6398220.html)

Gracie, I am not defending Brian Williams or NBC. But the article you reference is only referring to cable news. FOX News has about 1.5 million viewers. NBC. Nightly news has 9.something viewers.

Of course, makes BW's falsehood even worse. IMO none of them are all that trustworthy.

[CFrance]

Another thing about NBC Nightly News... They were first to announce (erroneously) that the Paris terrorists had been caught and killed, while CNN refused to go with that bit of info because they couldn't confirm it. BW later had to come on and apologize for it. Of course, they kicked the blame over to their "trusted" informant.

[Shimpy]

. Was it wrong? Yes. Should he be fired? No, maybe suspended for a while but not fired.

In some business yes, but reporting the news on national TV? How can I ever trust him again? Why tune in to watch him when I don't know if it is fact or his version of the truth?

[Bucco]

Was anybody ever fired for the "No Go Zones" stories that had to be retracted many time by Fox? If not, one can only surmise that misleading is the way they do business. And this just happened last month, not 12 years ago. As I recall, Fox was being sued by France for reporting this bogus story.

Me thinks your bias is showing by speaking ONLY of Fox...

"CNN host Anderson Cooper apologized on Wednesday for factually inaccurate segments that mentioned so-called no-go zones, or areas in European cities that are off limits to non-Muslims.

It was an ironic twist considering CNN had landed -- and touted -- an exclusive interview in which Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo told the network she planned to sue Fox News for its inaccurate reports on the supposed no-go zones.

“On Monday night on this program, we aired a report that was critical of Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and Fox News for continually saying that there were ‘no-go zones’ in England and elsewhere,” Cooper said. “I think if you’re going to point fingers at others’ mistakes, you should also acknowledge your own mistakes, and we didn’t do that on the program."

“In the wave of the Paris attacks, several guests on this program mentioned ‘no-go zones’ in France,” Cooper continued. “I didn’t challenge them and twice referred to them as well. I should have been more skeptical, I won't make the same mistake again."

CNN apologizes for 'no-go zones' segments - POLITICO.com (http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2015/01/cnn-apologizes-for-nogo-zones-segments-201460.html)

[tomwed]

I didn't know who he was. I don't watch TV channels for the news.
click here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Williams)for Wikipedia
It says he only completed 18 credits in college. That's quite a career, 10 million a year, for 18 credits. People are looking at other stories he may have embellished or made up.

It seems to me that the stories he made up or embellished did not seem different than all of the other stories going on at the time in the same location. I agree, he didn't need to lie. I wonder if that's what you need to do to get ahead in that business.

For example he reported he saw a dead body floating in the water when in all likelihood he did not. I think we all saw dead bodies floating when Katrina hit that was recorded and played on the news. He just didn't see it first hand. That doesn't change what's upsetting. It's not a testimony to a murder.

just some random thoughts
not to be taken too seriously

[CFrance]

Look up Peter Jennings. He only got a GED. Not defending either one, but there are lots of productive people who didn't go to college, and some who didn't finish high school.

My friend's son is one. Brilliantly successful salesman whose knowledge of mechanics led him into his job. Has a GED only.

[Bucco]

Look up Peter Jennings. He only got a GED. Not defending either one, but there are lots of productive people who didn't go to college, and some who didn't finish high school.

My friend's son is one. Brilliantly successful salesman whose knowledge of mechanics led him into his job. Has a GED only.

His education or lack thereof means nothing to this story...not one single thing

[njbchbum]

Was anybody ever fired for the "No Go Zones" stories that had to be retracted many time by Fox? If not, one can only surmise that misleading is the way they do business. And this just happened last month, not 12 years ago. As I recall, Fox was being sued by France for reporting this bogus story.

Please be aware - the Mayor THREATENED to sue. An internet search does not reveal that she followed through with her threat.

[sunnyatlast]

Look up Peter Jennings. He only got a GED. Not defending either one, but there are lots of productive people who didn't go to college, and some who didn't finish high school.

My friend's son is one. Brilliantly successful salesman whose knowledge of mechanics led him into his job. Has a GED only.

I agree wholeheartedly. I know and admire the same kind of people. They're what made America great.

But I still think these guys are highly over-rated empty suits, NOT worth pay in the millions per year--more than even what the President makes.

I was referring to Williams' connection to the Carter administration. The connections matter.

[gomoho]

I don't see why people put these news readers on such a high pedestal in the first place.

It's not like they are making decisions in the Oval Office or anything. And they are paid a lot more than the President.

To me they are much ado about nothing.

Actually it much ado about something. Do you have any idea how many people watch these news people and believe what they say without question? And have gone so low in our society that we no longer demand the best of those we put in positions of authority and power. Never mind, I just answered my own question.

[karostay]

BLA BLA BLA BLA

Let it rest

[kcrazorbackfan]

My point was that Brian Williams didn't have to make up ANYTHING to be well liked and secure in his position.

And of course at the age of 75 I am well aware of people's behavior and my own.

But when you are in the news reporting business you are expected to speak the truth to the public.

NOOOOO, you can't be 75!!

[tcxr750]

Let's keep this conversation "Fair and Balanced."

[tomwed]

I'm thinking I got 18 credits and I'm competing with others that have advanced degrees from prestigious schools. What can I do to compete to get the 10 million dollar job? Stay in good shape, save for a rainy day and embellish whenever I need to without changing history. What's the worst that can happen? I get fired and write a book about it or hire a ghost writer.

That's one possibility.