Brian Williams Removed From Image Attached to ‘Nightly News’ Podcast
NEW YORK, May 2 (UPI) — Fueling further speculation that newsman Brian Williamswon’t be returning to the NBC Nightly Newsafter his suspension, the network has reportedly removed the anchor from an image that accompanies the program’s podcast on iTunes.
Before the change, Williams’ picture was attached to the podcast along with the title,NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams. But that has been replaced by a more generic image that simply advertises NBC Nightly Newson Apple’s iTunes.
The branding change is the latest sign that the longtime network newsman may not return to the anchor’s chair once his six-month suspension is up in August. Williams received the suspension in February after an inaccurate report from 2003 on the Iraq War was brought to NBC’s attention.
In January, Williams aired a retrospective report on the March 2003 story and claimed he had been aboard a military helicopter that came under enemy rocket-propelled grenade fire.
It was a claim Williams apparently made repeatedly over the years, but one that was finally debunked when the January broadcast and a subsequent Facebook post drew criticism from military personnel who were aboard the downed chopper — who stated unequivocally that Williams wasn’t.
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Upon learning of the error, NBC suspended Williams without pay for six months — but has not publicly said yet whether it intends to allow him to return to his duties as anchor and managing editor of the Nightly News.
Williams apologized for the mistake and voluntarily removed himself from the Nightly Newsshortly before his suspension came. He said that he made an honest mistake about an incident that occurred 12 years ago, but some critics have said it’s difficult to believe that explanation.
The initial report led the network to launch an investigation into Williams’ reporting history to determine if any other errors were made. Last week, sources familiar with the probe reportedly said several other inaccuracies or embellishments have since been discovered.
The newly reported errors, some critics have argued, will be the proverbial nails in Williams’ coffin.
“At this point, Brian Williams knows he’s dead: He’s simply negotiating the terms of his burial,” POLITICO’s senior media writer Jack Shafer said.
Williams is also reportedly conducting his own investigation into his past reporting so that he can respond to the network’s final determinations, Newsday reported.
Last month, it was reported that staffers at NBC’s news bureau in Washington told network management that they oppose Williams’ return to the Nightly News.
Lester Holt has filled in for the departed Williams on the program and NBC has retained its first-place finish in the ratings, but it sits only slightly ahead of ABC’s World News Tonight.
It is not yet known when NBC will announce its decision concerning Williams’ future at the network.
