The NBC News anchor is put on suspension following his false claim about his experience in Iraq in 2003.
- Feb 11, 2015
AceShowbiz - Brian Williams is facing the repercussions for his exaggerating story about his experience in Iraq in 2003. NBC News announced on Tuesday, February 10 that they decided to "suspend Brian Williams as Managing Editor and Anchor of NBC Nightly News for six months" without pay.
NBC News Chief Deborah Turness said in a memo to staff that "Brian misrepresented events which occurred while he was covering the Iraq War in 2003" and "this was wrong and completely inappropriate for someone in Brian's position." Calling it "a very hard decision" to suspend Williams, she added, "But we believe this suspension is the appropriate and proportionate action."
NBCUniversal CEO Steve Burke also said in the statement, "This has been a painful period for all concerned and we appreciate your patience while we gathered the available facts. By his actions, Brian has jeopardized the trust millions of Americans place in NBC News. His actions are inexcusable and this suspension is severe and appropriate."
"Brian's life's work is delivering the news. I know Brian loves his country, NBC News and his colleagues. He deserves a second chance and we are rooting for him. Brian has shared his deep remorse with me and he is committed to winning back everyone's trust."
The journalist is currently under investigation, which is led by Richard Esposito who is working closely with NBCUniversal General Counsel Kim Harris, following his fake story that the helicopter he was riding in back in 2003 in Iraq was hit by an RPG. He told a different version of the experience back in March 2003, saying on "Dateline", "On the ground, we learn the Chinook ahead of us was almost blown out of the sky."
He has apologized for his "mistake," writing on his Facebook page, "I feel terrible about making this mistake, especially since I found my OWN WRITING about the incident from back in '08, and I was indeed on the Chinook behind the bird that took the RPG in the tail housing just above the ramp."
He also told Stars and Stripes in a recently released audio interview, "I would not have chosen to make this mistake. I don't know what screw-up in my mind caused me to conflate one aircraft with the other."
