NBC News is still standing behind NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams, even as the media and Internet scrutinize his 2003 Iraq War story that turned out to be false.
In a memo to staffers, which was posted at TheWrap, NBC News President Deborah Turness acknowledged that it has been a “difficult few days for all of us at NBC News.”
Turness said that she and Williams spoke to the Nightly News staff on Thursday and addressed a larger group of NBC News editors today.
“Brian apologized once again, and specifically expressed how sorry he is for the impact this has had on all of you and on this proud organization,” Turness said. “As you would expect, we have a team dedicated to gathering the facts to help us make sense of all that has transpired. We’re working on what the best next steps are – and when we have something to communicate we will of course share it with you.”
Turness wrote that she has seen “strength and resilience” among the staff and praised them for continuing to work.
NBC News is already reportedly investigating Williams’ story, which he apologized for on Nightly News on Wednesday. Days before, he claimed that he was in a helicopter that was struck by enemy fire in 2003 during the Iraq War. He called it a mistake after veterans called him out for the lie, but the media discovered that it was a fabricated story he has repeated multiple times.
Rumors have sprouted already that Tom Brokaw, Williams’ predecessor, suggested that Williams be fired, but Brokaw has denied that. Still, the sources that talk to the New York Post claim that Matt Lauer is also angry with Williams.
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