DOCSLIB.ORG

NBC News & the Ethics of the Brian Williams Scandal 28 January 2016

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
NBC News & the Ethics of the Brian Williams Scandal 28 January 2016 NBC News & The Ethics of the Brian Williams Scandal 28 January 2016 Chiderah Monde Journalist Brian Williams returned to NBC News in September of 2015, after a suspension from the network for six months without pay. The veteran news anchor was accused of making a series of false claims in his broadcasts, in a scandal that amounted to his losing his job as managing editor and lead anchor of NBC’s premiere evening newscast, “Nightly News,” and a highly publicized fall from grace. Williams held the esteemed anchor position since 2004, and his decade-long tenure included several personal career highlights and achievements, including Emmy and Peabody Awards (the penultimate for broadcast excellence). He became a popular culture icon rather than just a journalist while anchoring “Nightly,” making several Hollywood television and film appearances, garnering celebrity status, and holding the torch as the most trusted name in American news since his predecessor, Tom Brokaw. But Williams’ reputation took a hit when, in early 2015, several claims he made in reports over the years began to show inconsistencies and were called into question. The scandal erupted after a “Nightly News” broadcast on January 30, in which Williams retold what was widely believed to be his experience covering the Iraq War in 2003: he and the NBC News crew on assignment were on a military helicopter that was “shot down” by enemy fire. 1 During the broadcast that night the anchor mentioned it in relation to a new story about honoring some of the soldiers from the war, and this time someone challenged the dramatic tale. After the show aired, one of the soldiers who were there 12 years ago disputed Williams’ claim in a Facebook post (Tritten, 2015), apparently having had enough of the truth being manipulated. A flight engineer named Sergeant Joseph Miller revealed that the news anchor was not on the helicopter he claimed to be on, but rather arrived at the scene much later - and without any “enemy fire.” His rebuttal quickly went viral, and Williams was forced to address it - offering an apology for mixed up details, and blaming his poor memory. The public, especially conservative media outlets in competition with NBC News, didn’t buy it. While the Iraq helicopter story was the first inconsistency to be probed, others of Williams’ recounts - such as claiming to have been at the fall of the Berlin Wall, and claiming to have seen a man commit suicide during a Hurricane Katrina report - also came up questionable, if not completely false. The backlash from viewers, and media firestorm it created became so severe that NBC News was forced to respond with an investigation. In its internal review of the situation the network concluded that Williams “made a number of inaccurate statements about his own role and experiences covering events in the field. The statements in question did not for the most part occur on NBC News platforms or in the immediate aftermath of the news events, but rather on late-night programs and during public appearances, usually years after the news events in question” (NBC News, 2015). 2 But the bigger issue with Brian Williams’ blunders actually involves the network - and the fact that his claims and reports weren’t questioned at all prior to the soldier’s rebuttal. In fact, the story was supported by the network for years. The NBC News online archives had Williams’ supposed Iraq experience on file, in a story dated March 26, 2003, and with the headline, “Target Iraq: Helicopter NBC’s Brian Williams Was Riding In Comes Under Fire.” The report remained searchable for 12 years online (Tritten, 2015). All mention of Williams’ original broadcast report has since been removed from the archives, but a quick-thinking viewer managed to upload it to YouTube first (Pepper, 2015). While Williams’ ethics as a journalist should be - and has certainly been - called into question, it is also worth looking at the network as a whole for business ethics, as NBC News’ potential negligence of truth and accuracy in reporting for the sake of television ratings, acclaim or awards speaks volumes. NBC is the oldest American broadcast network, and is considered one of the most trusted names in news coverage. Maintaining credibility and reporting accuracy has been woven into the code of ethics for the company (I know this as a former employee), as it is for the broadcast journalism industry overall. The scandal should have raised questions, or at least concerns, about who in the chain of command actually knew the truth - and for how long. Any “Nightly News” producers, script writers, or show executives who had a role in each evening broadcast could have known the truth about what happened in Iraq and, if they did, opted not to challenge Williams’ claims, or prevent them from being repeated throughout the span of his tenure as lead anchor. Furthermore, Williams was not alone in Iraq- as network reporters often travel with at least two crew members: a camera operator and audio engineer. 3 If his helicopter was actually shot at, theirs would have been as well. Despite those details, he was the only person named, and eventually incriminated, by the network and its review. The consequentialist response NBC News has given to the Brian Williams scandal is one that maximised the “greater good,” or utilitarian ethical stance. The network alienated Williams as the sole responsible party, and conducted an internal investigation that suggested NBC as a broadcast entity and corporation was willing to publicly distance itself from Williams if it meant compromising the public’s trust - one of their core values. They appeased critics by deciding to suspend Williams without pay for a substantial amount of time, and appeased the public by appointing a new, well-liked anchor in Lester Holt to continue their operations. It ended up being a great marketing move for the company: Many people praised the appointment of Holt, first because he was regarded as humble and deserving of the position, but also because his acceptance of the role elevated him to becoming the first African- American primetime network news anchor in American history. This took attention away from the scandal, and allowed NBC News to focus on regaining public trust with a new and improved “Nightly News” show, anchor and image. 4 References NBC News. “Lester Holt Named Anchor of 'NBC Nightly News.” NBCNews.com. June 15, 2015. http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/lester-holt-named-anchor-nbc-nightly- news-n377831 Newport, Frank. “Brian Williams Situation Plays Out in Context of Already Low Trust in Mass Media.” Gallup. February 11, 2015. http://www.gallup.com/opinion/polling- matters/181544/brian-williams-situation-plays-context-already-low-trust-mass-media.aspx Pepper, Chad. “Brian Williams' original account of his helicopter lie.” (VIDEO) YouTube. February 5, 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyo506gcnZ4 Tritten, Travis. “NBC’s Brian Williams recants Iraq story after soldiers protest.” Stars & Stripes. February 4, 2015. http://www.stripes.com/news/us/nbc-s-brian-williams-recants-iraq- story-after-soldiers-protest-1.327792 Yu, Roger. “Brian Williams returns to air on MSNBC on Sept. 22 for pope visit.” USA TODAY. September 16, 2015. http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2015/09/10/brian- williams-returns-air-msnbc-sept-22-pope-visit/72029836/ 5 .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Endowments and Funds As of June 30, 2010
    2009-2010 Contributors E ND O W M E N TS A ND FUNDS Many donors choose to establish named endowments or funds, which provide critical support for productions and projects in general or specific program areas. They also offer special recognition opportunities. The following is a list of named endowments and funds as of June 30, 2010. The Vincent Astor Endowment for Literacy Programming The Arlene and Milton D. Berkman Philanthropic Fund Lillian and H. Huber Boscowitz Arts and Humanities Endowment The Aron Bromberg / Abe Raskin Partners Fund Irving Caesar Lifetime Trust for Music Programming The Joanne Toor Cummings Endowment for Children’s Programming FJC – A Foundation of Philanthropic Funds The Rita and Herbert Z. Gold Fund for Children’s Programming The Lillian Goldman Programming Endowment The M.J. Harrison/Rutgers University Broadcast Fellowship Program The Robert and Harriet Heilbrunn Programming Endowment The JLS/RAS Foundation Endowed Income Fund The John Daghlian Kazanjian Endowment The Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Arts Fund The Bernard Kiefson Endowment for Nature Programming The Reginald F. Lewis Endowment for Minority Fellowship Programs The Frits and Rita Markus Endowment for Science and Nature Programming The Abby R. Mauzé Endowment Fund for Arts and Humanities Programming The George Leonard Mitchell Fund The Henry and Lucy Moses Endowment for Children’s Programming The Abby and George O’Neill Program Endowment Fund The George Page Endowment for Science and Nature Programming The Dr. Edward A. Raymond Endowment for Science and Nature Programming Dr. Helen Rehr Endowment for Education and Outreach Blanchette Hooker Rockefeller Fund Endowment for Humanities Programming May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation Minority Fellowship Program The Dorothy Schiff Endowment for News and Public Affairs Programming The Hubert J.
    [Show full text]
  • May/June 2009 Newsletter PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY – May 12
    PRSA Tampa Bay –May/June 2009 Newsletter In this Issue: . Professional Development Day . Message from the President . New Members . Member Spotlight . Mark Your Calendars – Media Roundtable . The Walter e. Griscti and John Cassato Scholarship Recipients . PRSA Offers Financial Hardship Plan . PRSA Offers Financial Hardship Plan . Job site . PRville 2009 . PRSA Tampa Bay Now on Twitter . Member News th PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY – May 12 Tuesday, May 12, 2009, 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Media General (Tampa Tribune, WFLA-TV and TBO.com), 202 S. Parker Street, Tampa Attend “Changing World, Evolving Tactics” and learn from industry leaders from Publix GreenWise Market, IKEA, Southwest Airlines as well as Kerry Sanders, correspondent for NBC News. “Building the Publix GreenWise Market Brand” Shannon Patten, Media & Community Relations Manager, Publix Super Markets Before going green was on the top of people’s minds, Publix Super Markets began building the Publix GreenWise Markets brand. Shannon Patten will discuss why the brand was established and how it’s proven successful with Publix’s loyal customer base. "IKEA: Thinking Inside the Box" Debra Faulk, Public Relations Specialist, IKEA Tampa Like the way IKEA’s flat product packaging demonstrates a flair for fun and functional, their public relations strategies are just as clever. Less than one week following the international home furnishing company’s May 6th opening of their Tampa store, IKEA Tampa Public Relations Specialist Debra Kent Faulk will share some of IKEA’s most unique and successful PR tactics. “Nuts About Online Communication” Christi Day, Online Spokesperson and Emerging Media Specialist, Southwest Airlines Southwest Airlines, one of the nation’s most transparent and forward-thinking airlines, has embraced blogging, podcasts, online video and social media to connect with its customers, build awareness of its brand, empower its brand ambassadors and reinforce its unique culture.
    [Show full text]
  • Event Identification and Analysis on Twitter Qiming DIAO Singapore Management University, [email protected]
    Singapore Management University Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access) Dissertations and Theses 8-2015 Event identification and analysis on Twitter Qiming DIAO Singapore Management University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/etd_coll Part of the Databases and Information Systems Commons, and the Social Media Commons Citation DIAO, Qiming. Event identification and analysis on Twitter. (2015). 1-90. Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access). Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/etd_coll/126 This PhD Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Dissertations and Theses at Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access) by an authorized administrator of Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University. For more information, please email [email protected]. Event Identification and Analysis on Twitter by Qiming DIAO Submitted to School of Information Systems in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Information Systems Dissertation Committee: Jing JIANG (Supervisor / Chair) Assistant Professor of Information Systems Singapore Management University Hady W. LAUW Assistant Professor of Information Systems Singapore Management University Ee-Peng LIM Professor of Information Systems Singapore Management University Wee Sun LEE Associate Professor of Computer Science National University of Singapore Singapore Management University 2015 Copyright (2015) Qiming DIAO Event Identification and Analysis on Twitter Qiming DIAO Abstract With the rapid growth of social media, Twitter has become one of the most widely adopted platforms for people to post short and instant messages.
    [Show full text]
  • Enrolled Original a Ceremonial Resolution 22
    ENROLLED ORIGINAL A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION 22-207 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA November 7, 2017 To congratulate Meet the Press on its 70th anniversary and to recognize its longtime role as a premier political affairs television program. WHEREAS, Meet the Press is a weekly television program that offers interviews with national and global leaders, analysis of current events, and reviews of weekly news; WHEREAS, Meet the Press is the longest-running television program in television history, with the initial episode airing on November 6, 1947; WHEREAS, the radio program American Mercury Presents: Meet the Press preceded and inspired the television program; WHEREAS, in September 2015, Meet the Press debuted its daily counterpart, Meet the Press Daily; WHEREAS, in September 2016, Meet the Press launched an accompanying podcast, 1947: The Meet the Press Podcast; WHEREAS, Meet the Press regularly interviews prominent leaders and has interviewed every President of the United States since John F. Kennedy; WHEREAS, Martha Rountree served as the first moderator of Meet the Press, followed by Ned Brooks, Lawrence E. Spivak, Bill Monroe, Roger Mudd, Marvin Kalb, Chris Wallace, Garrick Utley, Tim Russert, Tom Brokaw, David Gregory, and current moderator, Chuck Todd; WHEREAS, Meet the Press has made its home in the District of Columbia, filming episodes at the NBC studio in Upper Northwest; WHEREAS, Meet the Press was the most-watched Sunday morning political affairs show for the 2016–2017 season, garnering 3.6 million viewers; and WHEREAS, Meet the Press and the American Film Institute (“AFI”) are partnering on the inaugural Meet the Press Film Festival, which celebrates both Meet the Press’ 70th 1 ENROLLED ORIGINAL anniversary and AFI’s 50th anniversary, and will feature politically focused and issue-oriented short documentaries.
    [Show full text]
  • The History of NBC New York Television Studios, 1935-1956"
    `1 | P a g e "The History of NBC New York Television Studios, 1935-1956" Volume 1 of 2 By Bobby Ellerbee And Eyes Of A Generation.com Preface and Acknowledgement This is the first known chronological listing that details the conversions of NBC’s Radio City studios at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City. Also included in this exclusive presentation by and for Eyes Of A Generation, are the outside performance theaters and their conversion dates to NBC Television theaters. This compilation gives us the clearest and most concise guide yet to the production and technical operations of television’s early days and the network that pioneered so much of the new medium. As you will see, many shows were done as “remotes” in NBC radio studios with in-house mobile camera units, and predate the official conversion date which signifies the studio now has its own control room and stage lighting. Eyes Of A Generation, would like to offer a huge thanks to the many past and present NBC people that helped, but most especially to Frank Merklein (NBC 1947-1961) Joel Spector (NBC 1965-2001), Dennis Degan (NBC 2003 to present), historian David Schwartz (GSN) and Gady Reinhold (CBS 1966 to present), for their first hand knowledge, photos and help. This presentation is presented as a public service by the world’s ultimate destination for television history…The Eyes Of A Generation. –Bobby Ellerbee http://www.eyesofageneration.com/ https://www.facebook.com/pages/Eyes-Of-A-Generationcom/189359747768249 `2 | P a g e "The History of NBC New York Television Studios, 1935-1956" Volume 1 of 2 Contents Please Note: Converted should be understood as the debut date of the facility as an exclusive TV studio, now equipped with its own control room.
    [Show full text]
  • January/February/March/April • the Florida Reporter 1 OFFICIAL
    OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE FLORIDA COURT REPORTERS ASSOCIATION JANUARY/FEBRUARY/MARCH/APRIL 2020 January/February/March/April • The Florida Reporter 1 Advertising Special Needful People WANTED! Need a job? Need a reporter, Your stories to share with other Contact to advertise in 8 issues agency owners? Contact reporters. (2 years) of this magazine and Placement Chairman Sandi Submit an article and receive .15 get a special 15% discount on Nargiz at 850-878-2221 or Fax: CEU points if published in The top of our low rates! Call FCRA 850-878-2254 or Florida Reporter. Email your story Headquarters today at [email protected] to 407$-774- 7880.$ $ [email protected] ARE YOU ON FCRA is now FCRA IS NOW ON TWITTER! FACEBOOK? on Instagram! If so, join the FCRA Group by Search for the Twitter handle looking up Florida Court Please follow us! below and follow us! Reporters Association… all the latest updates right at your @floridacourtreporters @FCRA_Official fingertips! Stenograph Special Order Your Florida Manual MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Stay up to date on Florida Rules Get last-line pricing with and Procedures. Call 407-774- FCRA 2020 Annual Convention 7880 to order your electronic Stenograph supplies, as a version of the Florida Manual or Ocean Reef Club member of FCRA receives visit www.fcraonline.org to order. Key Largo, Florida a rebate. $ $ $ Just $75.00 for members! July 17-19, 2019 WEBSITE SPONSORS ARE YOU CHANGING Be on the Lookout for WANTED YOUR CONTACT INFO AND DON’T WANT TO MISS Upcoming Florida Contact E-FLASHES? Professional Reporter FCRA (FPR) Test Dates! Headquarters, Be sure everything is current.
    [Show full text]
  • NOMINEES for the 32Nd ANNUAL NEWS & DOCUMENTARY EMMY
    NOMINEES FOR THE 32 nd ANNUAL NEWS & DOCUMENTARY EMMY ® AWARDS ANNOUNCED BY THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES Winners to be announced on September 26th at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center Larry King to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award New York, N.Y. – July 18, 2011 (revised 8.24.11) – Nominations for the 32nd Annual News and Documentary Emmy ® Awards were announced today by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS). The News & Documentary Emmy® Awards will be presented on Monday, September 26 at a ceremony at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, located in the Time Warner Center in New York City. The event will be attended by more than 1,000 television and news media industry executives, news and documentary producers and journalists. Emmy ® Awards will be presented in 42 categories, including Breaking News, Investigative Reporting, Outstanding Interview, and Best Documentary, among others. This year’s prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award will be given to broadcasting legend and cable news icon Larry King. “Larry King is one of the most notable figures in the history of cable news, and the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences is delighted to present him with this year’s lifetime achievement award,” said Malachy Wienges, Chairman, NATAS. “Over the course of his career Larry King has interviewed an enormous number of public figures on a remarkable range of topics. In his 25 years at CNN he helped build an audience for cable news and hosted more than a few history making broadcasts.
    [Show full text]
  • JUDY SMITH Judy A. Smith Is the Founder and President of Smith
    JUDY SMITH Judy A. Smith is the founder and President of Smith & Company, a leading strategic advisory firm with offices in Washington D.C., Los Angeles and New York. Over the last 25 years, Ms. Smith has brought her unique combination of communication skills, media savvy, legal and political acumen to clients facing a wide array of issues and challenges throughout the United States and abroad. Ms. Smith honed her skills through her experiences with some of the most historic and sensational events of our time, including the Iran Contra investigation, the prosecution of former Washington D.C. Mayor Marion Barry, the 1991 Gulf War, the Los Angeles riots, the President Clinton scandal involving Monica Lewinsky, the congressional inquiry of Enron, the General Petraeus CIA scandal, the Sony Corporation hacking crisis. Perhaps best known in media circles for her expertise as a crisis management advisor, Ms. Smith has served as a consultant for a host of high profile, celebrity and entertainment clients over the course of her career including, but not limited to, Monica Lewinsky, Senator Craig from Idaho, Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., actor Wesley Snipes, NFL quarterback Michael Vick, celebrity chef Paula Deen and the family of Chandra Levy. In addition to her work as a communications advisor during high profile engagements, Ms. Smith also serves as a counselor to Fortune 500 corporations and has provided strategic advice on a variety of corporate communications issues such as mergers and acquisitions, product recalls, intellectual property litigation, corporate positioning, diversity and other challenges. She has assisted leading companies such as BellSouth, Union Pacific, Nextel, United Healthcare, Americhoice, Wal-Mart, Radio-One Inc., Waste Management Corporation, and American International Group, Inc.
    [Show full text]
  • Remembering World War Ii in the Late 1990S
    REMEMBERING WORLD WAR II IN THE LATE 1990S: A CASE OF PROSTHETIC MEMORY By JONATHAN MONROE BULLINGER A dissertation submitted to the Graduate School-New Brunswick Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey In partial fulfillment of the requirements For the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Graduate Program in Communication, Information, and Library Studies Written under the direction of Dr. Susan Keith and approved by Dr. Melissa Aronczyk ________________________________________ Dr. Jack Bratich _____________________________________________ Dr. Susan Keith ______________________________________________ Dr. Yael Zerubavel ___________________________________________ New Brunswick, New Jersey January 2017 ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION Remembering World War II in the Late 1990s: A Case of Prosthetic Memory JONATHAN MONROE BULLINGER Dissertation Director: Dr. Susan Keith This dissertation analyzes the late 1990s US remembrance of World War II utilizing Alison Landsberg’s (2004) concept of prosthetic memory. Building upon previous scholarship regarding World War II and memory (Beidler, 1998; Wood, 2006; Bodnar, 2010; Ramsay, 2015), this dissertation analyzes key works including Saving Private Ryan (1998), The Greatest Generation (1998), The Thin Red Line (1998), Medal of Honor (1999), Band of Brothers (2001), Call of Duty (2003), and The Pacific (2010) in order to better understand the version of World War II promulgated by Stephen E. Ambrose, Tom Brokaw, Steven Spielberg, and Tom Hanks. Arguing that this time period and its World War II representations
    [Show full text]
  • Nbc News, Msnbc and Cnbc Honored with 23 News and Documentary Emmy Award Nominations
    NBC NEWS, MSNBC AND CNBC HONORED WITH 23 NEWS AND DOCUMENTARY EMMY AWARD NOMINATIONS “Rock Center with Brian Williams” Honored with Five Nominations in First Eligible Season "NBC Nightly News" Nominated for Eight Awards, Including Two For "Blown Away: Southern Tornadoes" and "Mexico: The War Next Door" "Dateline" Honored with Five Nominations Including Two for "Rescue in the Mountains" "Education Nation" Receives Two Nominations Including “Outstanding News Discussion & Analysis” MSNBC Honored with Two Nominations including “Outstanding News Discussion & Analysis” CNBC Nominated for “Outstanding Business & Economic Reporting” NEW YORK -- July 12, 2012 -- NBC News, MSNBC and CNBC have received a total of 23 News and Documentary Emmy Award nominations, the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced today. The News & Documentary Emmy Awards will be presented on Monday, October 1 at a ceremony at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, located in the Time Warner Center in New York City. The following is a breakdown of the 23 nominations by network and show. "NBC Nightly News" was nominated in the following categories: OUTSTANDING COVERAGE OF A BREAKING NEWS STORY IN A REGULARLY SCHEDULED NEWSCAST: "NBC Nightly News" – Blown Away: Southern Tornadoes "NBC Nightly News " – Disaster in Japan "NBC Nightly News " – The Fall of Mubarak OUTSTANDING CONTINUING COVERAGE OF A NEWS STORY IN A REGULARLY SCHEDULED NEWSCAST: "NBC Nightly News" – Battle for Libya "NBC Nightly News" – Mexico: The War Next Door "NBC Nightly News"
    [Show full text]
  • Museum of the Moving Image to Honor Nbc's Brian
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MUSEUM OF THE MOVING IMAGE TO HONOR NBC’S BRIAN WILLIAMS AND KENNETH LOWE OF SCRIPPS NETWORKS INTERACTIVE ON JUNE 2 AT THE ST. REGIS HOTEL Astoria, NY, April 4, 2011 — Herbert S. Schlosser, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Museum of the Moving Image, announced today that Brian Williams, Anchor and Managing Editor of NBC Nightly News , and Kenneth W. Lowe, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc., will be honored at the Museum’s annual black-tie benefit on Thursday, June 2, 2011, at The St. Regis Hotel. Each spring, the Museum holds this event, recognizing two leaders in the media industry. Brian Williams is seen by more U.S. television news viewers on a daily basis than any other American. He has become the most highly decorated evening news anchor of the modern era, and NBC Nightly News is the most-watched newscast in all of television. Williams’s coverage of world events has earned him high praise and several citations for journalistic excellence, many of which were awarded for his work covering Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. The New York Times said his reporting of Katrina was “a defining moment,” and Vanity Fair later called his work “Murrow-worthy” and reported that during the crisis he became “a nation’s anchor.” Williams joined NBC News in 1993 after several years working at local stations in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City. A few years later, he became NBC’s chief White House correspondent and then anchor and managing editor of The News with Brian Williams on MSNBC and CNBC.
    [Show full text]
  • Complete Report
    FOR RELEASE OCTOBER 2, 2017 BY Amy Mitchell, Jeffrey Gottfried, Galen Stocking, Katerina Matsa and Elizabeth M. Grieco FOR MEDIA OR OTHER INQUIRIES: Amy Mitchell, Director, Journalism Research Rachel Weisel, Communications Manager 202.419.4372 www.pewresearch.org RECOMMENDED CITATION Pew Research Center, October, 2017, “Covering President Trump in a Polarized Media Environment” 2 PEW RESEARCH CENTER About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. It does not take policy positions. The Center conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, content analysis and other data-driven social science research. It studies U.S. politics and policy; journalism and media; internet, science and technology; religion and public life; Hispanic trends; global attitudes and trends; and U.S. social and demographic trends. All of the Center’s reports are available at www.pewresearch.org. Pew Research Center is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts, its primary funder. © Pew Research Center 2017 www.pewresearch.org 3 PEW RESEARCH CENTER Table of Contents About Pew Research Center 2 Table of Contents 3 Covering President Trump in a Polarized Media Environment 4 1. Coverage from news outlets with a right-leaning audience cited fewer source types, featured more positive assessments than coverage from other two groups 14 2. Five topics accounted for two-thirds of coverage in first 100 days 25 3. A comparison to early coverage of past
    [Show full text]