Two weeks ago, a defining moment occurred for journalism, but it was the furthest thing from positive.
Brian Williams, lead anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News, repeatedly seemed to have exaggerated a story about how his helicopter was shot at while reporting about the war in Iraq in 2003. Two of the four helicopters in his group received RPG attacks. Williams’ helicopter did not receive RPG attacks. However he made it seem that his was targeted. His exaggerations came unraveled on Wednesday, Feb. 4, when he admitted to falsifying information while sitting right in the preeminent anchor seat.
His actions are not only a threat to his job alone but also to journalistic integrity everywhere. After admitting to exaggerating a story, he was placed on six-month leave without pay. After the six months are up, what will happen then?
According to New York Times, “[Williams] ranked as the 23rd-most-trusted person in the country — on par with Denzel Washington, Warren E. Buffett and Robin Roberts. On Monday, Feb. 9, he ranked as No. 835.”
If he does return, how can anyone be expected to trust him? Not only that, but what kind of message does it send – that a journalist, or anyone for that matter, can claim more credit than he deserved and blatantly get away with it?
Should it turn out that at the end of NBC’s investigation, which now includes looking into his reports on Hurricane Katrina, that Williams’ reputation is beyond repair, how can the public trust others who hold positions of leadership in the world of journalism?
The answer is, of course, that his reputation is irreparably shot. Nothing will be the same for him if he is allowed to return and if he is fired in the end, then his career as a journalist is effectively over. Everyone makes mistakes but what Williams did went beyond mistake and sailed straight through error.
Williams is what false rape claims are to the journalism community. He’s making the world question the words of others because of his exaggerations and hyperboles.
And in the Loquitur editorial staffs’ opinion, Williams shattered the integrity of all journalism and credibility just to make more money and have better ratings.
The company placed money ahead of the importance of actually disclosing Williams’ indiscretion to the public.
This reinforces why so many people, especially the millennial generation, do not trust the mainstream media.
Brian Williams’ indiscretion not only compromises his credibility, but also threatens the integrity of the entire NBC News company and the integrity of journalism in the future.
