Juan Williams news analyst fired from NPR

[tentative]

Have we all lost touch with what is to be considered "news" and what is just opinion? Williams has a right to have opinions. We all do. But to be called a "news analyst" by any of the media outlets carries certain obligations above just having an opinion. Silly things like making damn sure that your public statements and writings make clear when you are reporting "news" and when you are giving your opinion. If there is confusion about all the PC crap, it is because what was journalism has been ignored for so long that no one is quite sure what the hell it's supposed to be any longer. Reporting is no longer who, what, when, why, and where backed by reliable sources. We have to include who isn't going to get laid because... and conjecture about where the skeletons are buried.

I'll say it again. Williams went over the line as a news person. If he wants to be a conservative opinion wonk, that's fine. But he is obliged to present the news or become an entertainer and not try to be both at the same time. NPR was absolutely right to fire him, and it has not one damned thing to do with all the left-right bullshit. It has to do with what is credible journalism.

[Liteninbolt]

All things considered (thanks NPR for this phrase), this could have been a very positive thing that could have to Mr. Williams. He has had support from both sides of the political fence. Lanny Davis of the Huffington Post even agrees Juan did not over step any bounds concerning his comment. He also feels that most people would have cause for being nervous seeing passengers wearing muslim clothing.

[tentative]

All things considered (thanks NPR for this phrase), this could have been a very positive thing that could have to Mr. Williams. He has had support from both sides of the political fence. Lanny Davis of the Huffington Post even agrees Juan did not over step any bounds concerning his comment. He also feels that most people would have cause for being nervous seeing passengers wearing muslim clothing.

There are all sorts of confused people out there who are supposed to be practicing journalism and haven't a frigging clue what that might be. I'm tickled that Williams has supporters. He isn't a bad person, he's just a bad news person.

Those who would be nervous around people in islamic garb haven't thought it through. How dumb do you have to be to think that an islamic fanatic/terrorist is going to dress in islamic clothing and put a spotlight on themselves? The person to worry about is the nicely dressed western-looking person who just happens to be wearing a suicide vest. Which part of duh are folks missing here? A terrorist needs to blend in, not stand out like a sore thumb. Anyone with an IQ above 50 ought to be able to figure that out.

[Liteninbolt]

"How dumb do you have to be to think that an islamic fanatic/terrorist is going to dress in islamic clothing and put a spotlight on themselves?"

I don't know...maybe Bob Beckel, Alan Colmes or Lanny Davis may have a clue. Maybe not.

[Xunzian]

I'm still waiting for an answer to my question.

[Liteninbolt]

How does a person who routinely wears two incompatible hats leading to him violating his professional code of ethics which he agreed to relate to the concepts of "honesty" and "integrity"?

I don't see it as collusive or in violation of anything. Bob Beckel and Alan Colmes both participate on the Fox News channel to provide an alternate viewpoint as well as what Juan Williams did. I applaud them all for standing up for their beliefs to offer opposings thoughts and ideas. This is what makes for balanced debate. As far as I can tell, this is the way I Love Philosophy operates...to give fair and balanced opinions.

[Xunzian]

I don't see it as collusive or in violation of anything. Bob Beckel and Alan Colmes both participate on the Fox News channel to provide an alternate viewpoint as well as what Juan Williams did. I applaud them all for standing up for their beliefs to offer opposings thoughts and ideas. This is what makes for balanced debate. As far as I can tell, this is the way I Love Philosophy operates...to give fair and balanced opinions.

To my knowledge, neither Bob Beckel nor Alan Colmes have been given multiple warnings for statements that violate NPR's Code of Ethics. Juan Williams had. After several such incidents, he was let go. That doesn't sound like "integrity" to me.

[Liteninbolt]

As I had stated earlier concerning this topic is that probably turned out to be the best thing for him. Juan has related he feels he was betrayed by NPR, but I would assume under the same circumstances most anyone would. I personally like the man and enjoy his retorts with his couterparts on Fox. I can respect a person who can bound back from an ordeal like that.

[Xunzian]

I still don't see how that relates to "integrity". As for the relationship between "betrayed" and "betrayer", I fail to see how it wasn't Juan that betrayed NPR . . .

You keep dodging my question. That doesn't speak well for your case.

[Liteninbolt]

Because Mr. Williams said he felt he didn't do anything wrong to merit a firing which is good enough for me.

[Xunzian]

Except that he'd been warned multiple times about his behavior. A man of integrity would have quit if the code of ethics at his place of employment was out of step with his own morality. Williams did not do that.

[Liteninbolt]

Fox News won't fire Juan for giving his opinion or going on another news show. He won't have to worry about the thought police shutting him down there.

[tentative]

Xunz,
Litenin is a true believer - at least in fux news. Your'e talking to the wall...

[Liteninbolt]

As am I.

[Xunzian]

Fox News won't fire Juan for giving his opinion or going on another news show. He won't have to worry about the thought police shutting him down there.

What is the difference between a news analyst and a pundit? Is there one in your view?

Also, I'm still failing to see how that response relates to the concept of "integrity". Until the questions I asked above are addressed, I'll leave "honesty" off the table. I'm still seeing a lot of dodging here. What I've been asking, for the past three posts, isn't a terribly obscure question so I can't imagine that I'm not being understood.

[Liteninbolt]

[Liteninbolt]

By Jennifer Harper
-
The Washington Times
6:55 p.m., Thursday, January 6, 2011


Ellen Weiss, the NPR executive who fired senior news analyst Juan Williams for a comment about Muslims, resigned Thursday.
Mr. Williams praised the move and took a swipe at NPR during an appearance on Fox News, which after the firing expanded his role there beyond his regular participation on Fox News Sunday.
"I think it's good news for NPR and people who care about news in America," Mr. Williams said, commenting that NPR still seemed to be mired in the 1970s and in the style of a college radio station of the era.
"The idea was to demean me, to show me as a loose cannon," he said, adding, "You can't go around treating people like trash and pretending that people with a different point of view are illegitimate."
Ms. Weiss, a 29-year veteran of the news organization, dismissed Mr. Williams after he admitted to Fox News in October that he felt uneasy when he saw someone in "Muslim garb" on a commercial aircraft.
Ms. Weiss claimed the remark was inconsistent with NPR's editorial standards and immediately terminated the veteran newsman's contract.
The NPR Board of Directors announced Thursday that it had completed an internal review of Mr. WIlliams' termination, essentially deeming the process legal but ethically challenged.
"The Board has adopted recommendations and remedial measures designed to address issues that surfaced with the review," the group said.

For more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/201 ... 886954255/