NBC News Anchor Brian Williams is in a little bit of hot water. He admits he embellished a story about being on a military helicopter that was shot down in Iraq in 2003.
Some of the soldiers on the chopper were the ones who called Williams out.
As of this recording, NBC News has not disciplined him.
This story is a great symbol of what TV news is today – and why it is losing relevance as news – because it is wrapped in entertainment.
First, let me say this about Brian Williams. I don’t know him. What I see of him on the air – like on the Daily show – he is funny and talented. From what I hear and read, he is, what one person described as a mensch who talks to and mingles with staffers. He is no prima-donna.
So I feel some sympathy for Williams. You hate to jump on someone when they’re a decent person and they’re down.
Still, my comments here relate to the TV news industry – and what effect it might have had on Brian Williams and this story.
Williams has apologized. He went on air and social media to say – quote –
"I think the continued viewing of the video showing us inspecting the impact area — and the fog of memory over 12 years — made me conflate the two, and I apologize." End Quote
OK let’s give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he was so wrapped up into the “eye witness accounts” of the soldiers that he re-lived them as his own.
Ronald Reagan used to tell war stories in speeches only to find out the incidents were from screenplays.
And who among us hasn’t embellished a little bit on our own significance?
Still, Brian Williams holds what is supposed to be a position of trust.
↧