Brian Williams’ Credibility Takes A Shot, Literally
One of America’s most trusted sources, Brian Williams says he “misremembered” being shot down in a Chinook helicopter during his coverage of the Iraq war in 2003.
Williams paid tribute Friday, January 30th to a veteran who he claims saved his life during an assignment in Iraq. In Williams’ Friday broadcast he states:
When the helicopter we were traveling in was forced down after being hit by an RPG, our traveling NBC news team was rescued, surrounded, and kept alive by an armored mechanized platoon from the U.S. army third infantry.”
Soon after that broadcast, servicemen took to Facebook to challenge Williams’ credibility regarding the 2003 incident, claiming that Williams was not on the aircraft that was struck.
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Wednesday, February 4th, Williams’ issued an apology for the error that he made.
I want to apologize, I said I was traveling in an aircraft that was hit by RPG fire. I was instead in a following aircraft. We all landed after the ground fire incident and spent two harrowing nights in a sand storm in the Iraq desert. This was a bungled attempt by me to thank one special veteran and by extension our brave military men and women, veterans everywhere, those who have served while I did not. I hope they know they have my greatest respect and also now my apology.”
Twelve years ago, Williams reported the story correctly in stating that a rocket-propelled grenade had hit the helicopter ahead of his and all aircrafts involved were ordered to land in the Iraq desert.
In 2013, Williams was a guest on the Late Show with David Letterman and remembered the 2003 assignment a bit differently, claiming that the helicopter he was on had also been hit by an RPG.
Over the years the story progressively changed and viewers are upset about it. NBC has announced that the “Nightly News” chief anchor is currently under an internal investigation. The credibility of Brian Williams is still in question and viewers will need to use their own judgment until the investigation furthers.
