NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams's future, not just with the network, but in the entire industry is hanging in the balance, and we are hearing that things are not looking too great for him. At first he had been included in the network's troubleshooting around issues with his credibility, but now it is clear that Williams has been completely frozen out of the discussion. He was also unwelcome at emergency meetings with top NBC brass to decide his fate.
According to a report by Page Six, NBCUniversal CEO Steve Burke held an emergency meeting at his New York City apartment last weekend to discuss the crisis with everyone at NBC who has some decision-making power. NBC News President Deborah Turness and NBCUniversal News Group Chairman Patricia Fili-Krushel were just two of the honchos in attendance. Burke may be the one deciding Williams's fate and, if that is the case, then the veteran anchor might be in real trouble because in Burke's eyes no scandal is worth risking his reputation for.
Williams admitted last week that he "misremembered" whether or not his chopper was hit with RPG fire in Iraq in 2003. Unfortunately, it seems the pattern of Williams making himself the heroic part of major news stories is beginning to develop, and after doing a bit of digging his recollections are proving to be false. NBC News cannot have the face of its brand be a chronic liar whose reporting is no longer considered credible, and with each passing day that is precisely the guy Williams is turning into.
After Williams was ordered to take a hiatus, Lester Holt has taken over temporarily on NBC Nightly News because he is well-equipped to right the ship and extremely well-liked by everyone at the network. Do you think Williams will ever return to his anchor seat, or will this scandal quickly end with his firing? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below.
