Brian Williams banned by NBC from making any public appearances during his suspension, says former chairman and CEO Bob Wright
Brian Williams banned by NBC from making any public appearances during his suspension, says former chairman and CEO Bob Wright, Disgraced news anchor Brian Williams has been banned from making public appearances by NBC while he sees out a six-month suspension from the network for false reporting.
Bob Wright, a personal friend of Williams and the former chairman and CEO of NBC, said the decision was difficult, but NBC believes it was necessary in order to 'get past' the scandal that has besieged Williams.
The decision has lead to a series of cancellations of events that Williams was scheduled to appear, including Palm Beach Civic Association's annual awards luncheon on February, where he was to give the keynote address.
'I feel terrible about it,' Wright told the Palm Beach Daily News.
'But life goes on. We'll have to get past it.'
Wright also told the newspaper that Williams is 'considerably restrained' as he deals with the suspension.
'He is just struggling,' Wright said.
'It’s very tough.
'He is a very people-oriented person.
'He’d certainly like to get on and explain what he has done and apologize.
'It’s going to take time.'
Williams could lose his job if bosses decide he has brought himself into disrepute after it emerged he falsely claimed he was in a helicopter that came under fire while in Iraq.
Williams was suspended without pay.
An investigation has been launched into his reporting, especially the Iraq incident, which he said happened while covering the war in 2003.
The probe is also looking into his reports about seeing a body floating by during Hurricane Katrina and his presence at the fall of the Berlin wall.
The 55-year-old faces the possibility of being fired because of a 'morality clause' in his contract that says his role can be terminated if he brings himself into disrepute.
Williams, who has been the nightly news anchor for 10 years, had recently signed a $10 million, five-year pact, Page Six reported.
The defining clause in his contract said: 'If artist commits any act or becomes involved in any situation, or occurrence, which brings artist into public disrepute, contempt, scandal or ridicule, or which justifiably shocks, insults or offends a significant portion of the community, or if publicity is given to any such conduct . . . company shall have the right to terminate.'
Weekend anchor Lester Holt has temporarily taken Williams' place.
The show has seen a significant drop in viewers since Williams was taken off air.
In a statement, NBC chief executive Stephen Burke wrote: 'By his actions, Brian has jeopardized the trust millions of Americans place in NBC News. His actions are inexcusable and this suspension is severe and appropriate.
His claims came to light after a show was broadcast, featuring Williams describing how in 2003 he had survived his helicopter being shot down by a rocket propelled grenade.
His account was challenged by people who were in the actual craft that was hit and it emerged the NBC anchor was in fact in another helicopter entirely, around an hour behind the targeted helicopter.
After the inaccuracies emerged Williams said he made a mistake about being in a Chinook helicopter that was shot down in 2003 because he was scared and in a warzone for the first time.
NBC has launched an official probe into Williams, led by Richard Esposito, its top investigative journalist. Williams, who is Managing Editor of the United States' most watched network news program, has remained quiet since the allegations came to light and took himself off the air before he was temporarily suspended.
But his silence has not stopped him becoming a figure of ridicule.
In an awkward red carpet interview for the 40th anniversary of Saturday Night Live, comedian Jim Carrey asked Today newscaster Matt Lauer 'Where are you hiding Brian Williams?'
Jerry Seinfeld also made jokes about the newscaster during the show.
Bob Wright, a personal friend of Williams and the former chairman and CEO of NBC, said the decision was difficult, but NBC believes it was necessary in order to 'get past' the scandal that has besieged Williams.
The decision has lead to a series of cancellations of events that Williams was scheduled to appear, including Palm Beach Civic Association's annual awards luncheon on February, where he was to give the keynote address.
'I feel terrible about it,' Wright told the Palm Beach Daily News.
'But life goes on. We'll have to get past it.'
Wright also told the newspaper that Williams is 'considerably restrained' as he deals with the suspension.
'He is just struggling,' Wright said.
'It’s very tough.
'He is a very people-oriented person.
'He’d certainly like to get on and explain what he has done and apologize.
'It’s going to take time.'
Williams could lose his job if bosses decide he has brought himself into disrepute after it emerged he falsely claimed he was in a helicopter that came under fire while in Iraq.
Williams was suspended without pay.
An investigation has been launched into his reporting, especially the Iraq incident, which he said happened while covering the war in 2003.
The probe is also looking into his reports about seeing a body floating by during Hurricane Katrina and his presence at the fall of the Berlin wall.
The 55-year-old faces the possibility of being fired because of a 'morality clause' in his contract that says his role can be terminated if he brings himself into disrepute.
Williams, who has been the nightly news anchor for 10 years, had recently signed a $10 million, five-year pact, Page Six reported.
The defining clause in his contract said: 'If artist commits any act or becomes involved in any situation, or occurrence, which brings artist into public disrepute, contempt, scandal or ridicule, or which justifiably shocks, insults or offends a significant portion of the community, or if publicity is given to any such conduct . . . company shall have the right to terminate.'
Weekend anchor Lester Holt has temporarily taken Williams' place.
The show has seen a significant drop in viewers since Williams was taken off air.
In a statement, NBC chief executive Stephen Burke wrote: 'By his actions, Brian has jeopardized the trust millions of Americans place in NBC News. His actions are inexcusable and this suspension is severe and appropriate.
His claims came to light after a show was broadcast, featuring Williams describing how in 2003 he had survived his helicopter being shot down by a rocket propelled grenade.
His account was challenged by people who were in the actual craft that was hit and it emerged the NBC anchor was in fact in another helicopter entirely, around an hour behind the targeted helicopter.
After the inaccuracies emerged Williams said he made a mistake about being in a Chinook helicopter that was shot down in 2003 because he was scared and in a warzone for the first time.
NBC has launched an official probe into Williams, led by Richard Esposito, its top investigative journalist. Williams, who is Managing Editor of the United States' most watched network news program, has remained quiet since the allegations came to light and took himself off the air before he was temporarily suspended.
But his silence has not stopped him becoming a figure of ridicule.
In an awkward red carpet interview for the 40th anniversary of Saturday Night Live, comedian Jim Carrey asked Today newscaster Matt Lauer 'Where are you hiding Brian Williams?'
Jerry Seinfeld also made jokes about the newscaster during the show.
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