It is a dark time in any journalist's career when their doubt is cast over their credibility. More so for a well-known and respected news man for many decades like Brian Williams. Since 2004, Williams has been the face of NBC Nightly News. However, he has now been put under six-month probation without pay as the lead anchor and editor of the show, after it has come to light that he misrepresented himself when he covered the Iraq war in 2003.

As it turns out, for more than a decade, Williams maintained, in a few varying versions of the story, that he was covering the war from a Chinook helicopter in Iraq when it came under fire. Sometimes he said that they even took in a grenade and went down and he feared for his life. However, veterans, and even the pilot of the chopper he was in, have come forward to debunk his story, saying that he only witnessed a Chinook ahead of him go under fire.

 

As a result of this revelations, and a few others when Williams may have also bent or over exaggerated the truth, his credibility has been shot and NBC has officially announced one week after the accusations came to light that they are putting their top anchor on suspension without pay.

"As Managing Editor and Anchor of Nightly News, Brian has a responsibility to be truthful and to uphold the high standards of the news division at all times," the memo from NBC News President Deborah Turness on William's suspension states.

"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. Brian's life's work is delivering the news. I know Brian loves his country, NBC News and his colleagues. He deserves a second chance and we are rooting for him. Brian has shared his deep remorse with me and he is committed to winning back everyone's trust," she added.

In Williams' absence, his spot on NBC Nightly News will be filled by substitute anchor Lester Holt.

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