“NBC Nightly News” host Brian Williams has been suspended for six months without pay for telling a false story about his coverage of the Iraq War in 2003, NBC News president Deborah Turness informed staff on Tuesday.
“We have decided today to suspend Brian Williams as Managing Editor and Anchor of NBC Nightly News for six months. The suspension will be without pay and is effective immediately,” Turness wrote in a memo.
“We let Brian know of our decision earlier today. Lester Holt will continue to substitute Anchor the NBC Nightly News.”
The suspension comes a week after Williams was hit by allegations that he had fabricated a story about riding in a Chinook helicopter which was downed after being hit by an RPG during the beginning stages of the Iraq War in March 2003.
After several of the soldiers present during that attack came forward to dispute Williams’ claims, the news anchor retracted the story, claiming that he had become confused over time.
Williams most recently told the inaccurate story late last month during an “NBC Nightly News” broadcast.
“While on Nightly News on Friday, January 30, 2015, Brian misrepresented events which occurred while he was covering the Iraq War in 2003. It then became clear that on other occasions Brian had done the same while telling that story in other venues. This was wrong and completely inappropriate for someone in Brian’s position.”
Williams told the story of the incident in vivid detail during a 2013 interview with David Letterman and during other interviews and in blog entries posted on the NBC News website.
“As Managing Editor and Anchor of Nightly News, Brian has a responsibility to be truthful and to uphold the high standards of the news division at all times,” Turness wrote.
Turness also shared a message from Steve Burke, president of NBC’s parent company, Comcast, and CEO of NBC Universal, who said that the past week has been a “painful period” for the network.
“By his actions, Brian has jeopardized the trust millions of Americans place in NBC News,” said Burke. “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,” Burke continued. “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.”
After Williams’ trail of embellishment and fabrication about the Chinook attack surfaced last week, his coverage of other stories came under intense scrutiny. Claims he made during Hurricane Katrina in 2005 — such as seeing a dead body floating by his hotel and coming face to face with gang members — were called into question.
NBC sources told numerous outlets covering the fallout that Williams has been warned by NBC top brass to cut back on telling the Iraq story. It was also reported that Williams was known to exaggerate stories at times.
The financial hit to Williams will be substantial. In December, he reportedly signed a five-year deal reportedly worth $10 million annually.
Full memo below:
All,
We have decided today to suspend Brian Williams as Managing Editor and Anchor of NBC Nightly News for six months. The suspension will be without pay and is effective immediately. We let Brian know of our decision earlier today. Lester Holt will continue to substitute Anchor the NBC Nightly News.
Our review, which is being led by Richard Esposito working closely with NBCUniversal General Counsel Kim Harris, is ongoing, but I think it is important to take you through our thought process in coming to this decision.
While on Nightly News on Friday, January 30, 2015, Brian misrepresented events which occurred while he was covering the Iraq War in 2003. It then became clear that on other occasions Brian had done the same while telling that story in other venues. This was wrong and completely inappropriate for someone in Brian’s position.
In addition, we have concerns about comments that occurred outside NBC News while Brian was talking about his experiences in the field.
As Managing Editor and Anchor of Nightly News, Brian has a responsibility to be truthful and to uphold the high standards of the news division at all times.
Steve Burke, Pat Fili and I came to this decision together. We felt it would have been wrong to disregard the good work Brian has done and the special relationship he has forged with our viewers over 22 years. Millions of Americans have turned to him every day, and he has been an important and well-respected part of our organization.
As I’m sure you understand, this was a very hard decision. Certainly there will be those who disagree. But we believe this suspension is the appropriate and proportionate action.
This has been a difficult time. But NBC News is bigger than this moment. You work so hard and dedicate yourselves each and every day to the important work of bringing trusted, credible news to our audience. Because of you, your loyalty, your dedication, NBC News is an organization we can – and should – all be proud of. We will get through this together.
Steve Burke asked me to share the following message.
“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.”
Deborah