Whose Problem Is Brian Williams?

Brian Williams

Here is a picture of Brian Williams.  He was a network news anchor with a big Q-score.  His title was "managing editor" of an evening news broadcast, but what was more important about him was his great hair.

True, he went out to "report" on news stories, but the really important thing was that people tuned into his show because he was handsome and spoke with an unoffensive accent.

In fact, Brian Williams the anchor did not do ANY actual reporting.

What he did was to go out with a team -- a producer who did the research and shaped the story and set up appropriate interviews, a camera person who arranged the shots, a makeup person who touched up his face and, probably, a wardrobe person who also made him look good.  Plus one or more persons who arranged his transportation, his deluxe lodging, and his limo to each "shoot."

What Brian Williams did was step out of his limo, read his lines and, sometimes, ask prepared questions of prepared witnesses.

For this he was paid dozens of millions of dollars a year.

I tried to find a photo of Brian Williams with a crew, but none seems to be available online.

Now it appears that Mr. Williams has made up stories that exaggerate his news-gathering experiences to enhance his reputation as a courageous reporter.  I sort of get it.  If I were paid dozens of millions of dollars annually because of my Q-score, I'd probably feel a little embarrassed about presenting myself as an actual journalist.

Thankfully, I have been spared this discomfort.


The Real Problem

That Mr. Williams lies about his dangerous news-gathering exploits is a weakness, no question.  But, perhaps worse, is the indictment of his employer.

Williams wasn't alone on that helicopter in Afghanistan.  He was surrounded by a crew who knew his outrageous claims were false.  They never said anything, even quietly, in the network office in New York, that might have headed off Williams' reach for relevance as well as wealth.

It's not surprising that Williams was busted, finally and not with heavy malice,  by the helicopter pilot who actually was at the controls of the bird that went down.  The pilot made much less money,  but he was part of an organization where there is no Williams-like wealth to be made but where the respect of one's fellows is primary.

I never have watched any network's evening news show.  I'm pretty sure I never will.