I don’t think he should be given a pass on this behavior. It’s simply wrong. he broke one of the great tenets of journalism.
It’s kind of interesting to contemplate exactly what a journalist is. Must one have actual training in journalism? Are John Stewart and Colbert journalists? Not sure. Have they studied journalism? Is it more accurate to call them talk show hosts? In Britain, the term “news-reader” is attributed to the talking head on the evening news.
BW, if Wikipedia is accurate, dropped out of college with only 18 credits (mostly from a junior college) to intern with the Carter administration. …In Britain, the term “news-reader” is attributed to the talking head.
I agree with the previous poster who said print journalists are more credible. Television seems more interested in star-power and good looks than journalism skills.
Like teri, I have never held broadcast journalists in high regard, for the most part. They are paid for their Q scores and the way they look and sound on TV. Print journalists chase down the story and don’t have to spend a half hour in hair and makeup - they use that time checking sources and confirming quotes.
If a print journalist had lied in this matter I think he/she would quickly be fired. It’s only because BW is “the face” of NBC News (whatever that means) that it hasn’t happened yet. I happen to think he is pleasant to watch and listen to and maybe that is all he should be paid to do. But if they are calling themselves a news organization then they should act like one and not condone a succession on half-truths from their star employee.
Although I disagreed with Rather’s objective in his reporting, I didn’t think the story was all that impeachable. IMO, what happened was that someone who was wearing thin on people who worked around him put himself in a position where the employer didn’t feel it was worth the candle to fight it out and push the issue, compared to the alternative of getting rid of him once and for all. Its possible that this is happening with Brian Williams. It gives the network six months to make up their mind about what they want to do, and with whom.
The Rather issue had to do with documents that couldn’t be authenticated and his producer was fired first but eventually CBS also forced his resignation and he sued them but the case was thrown out. He may still believe it was a good story, he did for a long time there. And, she does. However that’s very different from just making stuff up about bodies, missiles, grenades, and puppies of all things to puff up your celebrity status. BW may find a way to come back in six months, but it’s not a sure thing, that’s for sure.
He was forced to resign because his highly inflammatory story crumbled due to documents he swore up and down had been authenticated turning about to be anything but a few weeks later. By journalistic standards that is disgrace.