By now, we have all heard about the scandal involving NBC news anchor Brian Williams, who has been caught embellishing a story from more than 10 years ago.
Williams has apologized for claiming a helicopter he was riding in was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade during the Iraq war in 2003. He stated that the constant viewing of video showing him inspecting the damaged helicopter “and the fog of memory over 12 years made me conflate the two, and I apologize.”
The truth is a helicopter that was flying ahead of Williams was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, while Williams’ aircraft landed safely some time afterward.
Now, the fact that Williams, who was probably the most-trusted newsman in America, has been caught in a lie is disappointing.
I have always respected Williams, who brought a down-to-earth feel to the evening news, and was also able to cross over to late night television with ease.
Since the story of Williams’ lie over the 2003 Iraq incident was broken by independent military newspaper Stars and Stripes ”“ a paper I worked for from 2007-2008 – there has been a media storm heading Williams’ way.
Not only has he been lambasted by the talking heads of the 24-hour news media, but now some of his other stories from over the years are being brought under scrutiny.
Obviously, whenever you get caught in a lie, some people are never going to trust you again. And, when you get caught embellishing one story, how can anyone be sure you didn’t inflate other stories? So, I have no problem with people looking into Williams’ past and making sure he hasn’t built a career on lying.
However, one thing I do have a problem with is the joy that some people in the news media are taking in trying to destroy a man’s career.
I sat down and watched a half hour of Sean Hannity’s show on Fox News on Monday night and had a hard time stomaching what I saw. Hannity seemed to enjoy tearing down a person’s life’s work over ONE proven mistake.
There have been stories that have come out that have questioned some of Williams’ other claims from the past, but none of his other accounts have been proven to be false ”“ and Williams has not acknowledged embellishing any story other than the one in Iraq.
On Tuesday, NBC decided to suspend Williams without pay for six months ”“ and if these other claims by Williams are proven to be false, then obviously NBC should do more than just temporarily take Williams off the air.
I have no problem with the suspension of Williams because he did get caught in a lie and hurt the company he works for. The problem I have is the rush-to-judgement mindset that we all seem to have ”“ especially in the age of social media.
I am an avid user of social media, but even I find it hard to take sometimes. It’s tough to sit back and see people jump to a conclusion and quickly write out 140 hateful characters without taking any time to really let the story play out.
If Brian Williams is truly a serial liar, then he will have dug his own grave. But let’s not tear down a man once held in high esteem just because we can. Let the complete story unfold ”“ and the truth will win out.
— Pat McDonald is the sports editor of the Journal Tribune. An avid follower of media and politics, he has worked in the newspaper industry for close to 15 years.
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