NPR Apologizes…But Not to Williams
- Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:02am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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NPR CEO Vivian Schiller has issued an apology in the Juan Williams firing incident. The mia culpa, however, is not addressed to Williams, but to employees who are “on the front lines every day” and are dealing with the fallout.
“I want to apologize for not doing a better job of handling the termination of our relationship with news analyst Juan Williams,” the letter addressed to employees, and obtained by Politico, begins. “While we stand firmly behind that decision, I regret that we did not take the time to prepare our program partners and provide you with the tools to cope with the fallout from this episode.”
Schiller goes on to say that the decision was made to “protect NPR’s integrity and values,“ and that Williams routinely engaged in ”deeply troubling” incidents that violated NPR’s standards.
What were the egregious acts that violated NPR’s standards? According to Schiller, it was Williams expressing his opinions: “He was explicitly and repeatedly asked to respect NPR’s standards and to avoid expressing strong personal opinions on controversial subjects in public settings, as that is inconsistent with his role as an NPR news analyst.” [Emphasis added]
Recognizing that many have questioned the timing of the firings, including Glenn Beck who has noticed that the axing come at the same time as liberal financier George Soros donated $1.8 million to the news outlet, Schiller somewhat surprisingly suggests that instead of waiting to fire Williams she may be culpable for not firing him earlier:
I acknowledge that reasonable people can disagree about timing: whether NPR should have ended its relationship with Juan Williams earlier, on the occasion of other incidents; or whether this final episode warranted immediate termination of his contract.
The closest thing to an apology to Williams comes near the end of the letter, where Schiller says she takes “full responsibility” for the “unfortunate” decision to fire Williams over the phone instead of in person.
The full letter is available below:
Dear Program Colleagues,
I want to apologize for not doing a better job of handling the termination of our relationship with news analyst Juan Williams. While we stand firmly behind that decision, I regret that we did not take the time to prepare our program partners and provide you with the tools to cope with the fallout from this episode. I know you all felt the reverberations and are on the front lines every day responding to your listeners and talking to the public
This was a decision of principle, made to protect NPR’s integrity and values as a news organization. Juan Williams’ comments on Fox News last Monday were the latest in a series of deeply troubling incidents over several years. In each of those instances, he was contacted and the incident was discussed with him. He was explicitly and repeatedly asked to respect NPR’s standards and to avoid expressing strong personal opinions on controversial subjects in public settings, as that is inconsistent with his role as an NPR news analyst. After this latest incident, we felt compelled to act. I acknowledge that reasonable people can disagree about timing: whether NPR should have ended its relationship with Juan Williams earlier, on the occasion of other incidents; or whether this final episode warranted immediate termination of his contract.
In any event, the process that followed the decision was unfortunate – including not meeting with Juan Williams in person – and I take full responsibility for that. We have already begun a thorough review of all aspects of our performance in this instance, a process that will continue in the coming days and weeks. We will also review and re-articulate our written ethics guidelines to make them as clear and relevant as possible for our acquired show partners, our staff, Member stations and the public.
The news and media world is changing swiftly and radically; traditional standards and practices are under siege. This requires us to redouble our attention to how we interpret and live up to our values and standards. We are confident that NPR’s integrity and dedication to the highest values in journalism and our commitment to serving as a national forum for the respectful discussion of diverse ideas will continue to earn the support of a growing audience.
I stand by my decision to end NPR’s relationship with Juan Williams, but deeply regret the way I handled and explained it. You have my pledge that the NPR team and I will reflect on all aspects of our actions, and strive to improve them in the future.
Please feel free to share your concerns and suggestions.
Respectfully,
Vivian Schiller
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Comments (119)
Rapunzel
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 10:02am“He was explicitly and repeatedly asked to respect NPR’s standards and to avoid expressing strong personal opinions on controversial subjects in public settings, as that is inconsistent with his role as an NPR news analyst.”
I think she really meant to say:
Report Post »“He was explicitly and repeatedly asked to respect NPR’s standards and to avoid expressing strong personal opinions on controversial subjects in public settings, that are inconsistent with NPR’s ideological view.”
retsofarik
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 10:00amHas anyone noticed that since obama got into office the prices at the gas pumps have stabilized but now the elections at approaching they are going up again???? Just another way of outside influences on our government showing their ugly heads! ?
Report Post »bowser
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 10:15amgas prices are rising because Obama is making the dollar worth less with his policies
Report Post »CatB
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 10:21amExactly … gas isn’t going up .. .THE DOLLAR IS GOING DOWN … soon EVERYTHING WILL TAKE MORE $$$
Report Post »MichaelDCarney
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:59amDefund NPR, for the sake of the children and the seniors… ;-)
Report Post »adifftake
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:59amSorry in advance. What a D.A.
Report Post »MichiganPatriot
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:59amI myself have quit listening and supporting NPR because of this. I used to listen to diane Rheem, Car Talk and Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me. I can’t in good faith listen to this governmental run propoganda any longer. I’m not telling you guys what to do but there is something my grandad used to say to me as I was growing up.
“What you decide to enrich your mind with will have a big impact in your life so be cautious about who and what you listen to. Don’t deny any opinion but be aware of the content of each and make your own decision on what you feel makes the most sense, only then can you make rational decisions on what is right and what is wrong”
I have lived by this and always will, Grandad was right and if you LISTEN then and only then will you be able to decide for yourself.
Good luck America and God Bless!
Report Post »mickey16
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:47amI love the last line “Please feel free to share your concerns and suggestions.” The last person to do so got fired.
Report Post »Lonewolf2347
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:45amDEFUND NPR and let them get their 400 million from somebody else!
Report Post »BoilitDown
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:37amUnbeliveable! Schiller isn’t even attempting damage control. This is tantamount to an admission that all that has been said in the past few day about NPR’s lack of integrity is valid. Apparently Schiller (an apt name considering the controversy) is not concerned that a large part of the nation is calling for NPR to be defunded once again. Does she think Soros is going to be their sugar daddy forever?
Report Post »BothPartiesAreCorrupt
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:37amAre they serious? “avoid expressing strong personal opinions on controversial subjects in public settings”
That’s ALL they do at NPR. Who are they kidding?
Report Post »wingedwolf
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:35amWhat swill. In the words of Trent Reznor (spelling?) of Nine Inch Nails fame, “bow down before the one you serve, you’re going to get what you deserve.“ She really does have a ”head like a hole, black as her soul!”
Report Post »jacquecustard
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:34amHow’s your classless and untoward shrink comment working out for you Vivian ?
Sure will cost NPR dearly, no more donations to NPR or PBS from this household .
Report Post »TAMUOne
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 3:54pmI quit donating to PBS after they aired more than one documentary about the poor, pitiful illegal aliens and the plight they endure trying to get to our country sans citizenship.
Report Post »casey1
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:32amThey don’t care about Jaun, they just care about being Poloticaly Correct and not to “offend” any muslims.
I am “OFFENDED” by NPR’s stupid response.
Report Post »leo346
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:30amLike in the movie it’s not the great Wizard of OZ ,it’s the little man behind the curtain pulling the strings.
Report Post »Silversmith
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:27amThanks SOO much Ms. Shill-er for Soros.
Defund and boycott. Make them accountable for their increasingly visible bias.
Silversmith
Report Post »bree20
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:25amDon‘t yall find it funny that they name Glenn Beck by name but not all the others that made mention of Soro’s giving them 1.8 million. I can come up with 5 people off the top of my head! Once again we can see Soror’s money all ready working.
Report Post »sawman
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 11:14amGeorge Soros is such a cowardly little man too. You will never see him exposing himself to a fair and balanced interview. He hides behind his wealth, and lets it work through the uber-left organizations he funds. I would bet his wealth is already sheltered against the coming tax increases on the wealthy too. Such a pitiful little man.
Report Post »DSTSS2010
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:22amThe taxpayers money should no longer be used to support this partisan organization (NPR). Lately, I find that even PBS is starting to lean a bit to the Left. This is a disturbing trend.
Report Post »Rapunzel
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 10:04amA bit? You think?
I’d say they are more than just a bit leftward leaning!
Report Post »TONYR
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:21amSchiller goes on to say that the decision was made to “protect NPR’s integrity and values,“ and that Williams routinely engaged in ”deeply troubling” incidents that violated NPR’s standards.”…….They have got to be kidding!! The only thing they did’nt like is he was routinely on fox news, Time to pull all funding, oh wait , George Soros doesn’t need the public funding for “HIS” station!
Report Post »libertyordeath87
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:20amFiring someone over the phone is the biggest act of cowardice and employer can make. I suggest that by doing it over the phone, she knew it was wrong and didn’t have the courage to look him in the eye and let him he was fired. NPR has no principles.
Report Post »Clint Johnson
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:18amOne way to get NPR‘s attention is through their stations by sending in the local station’s blank pledge card with a note telling the local station managers to demand this woman’s resignation, and the return of George Soros’s whore money.
Report Post »starman70
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:37amSame goes for all the Public Broadcasting family. They all subtly if not overtly promote the liberal agenda. There is NO real fair and balanced reports on any of the PBS entities.
Report Post »OneRepublic4us
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 11:45amI noticed a few years ago the PBS had a socialist agenda and quit watching. It is more aptly described as Propaganda Broadcasting Station.
Report Post »Lion420
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:15amOh…sorry! We didn’t work on our cover story first. now you poor souls have to go out and defend your radical racist hateful employer…we are truly sorry…honest…we really mean it!
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:14amIt’s so refreshing when people clearly identify themselves and their sympathies.
Thank you, Ms. Schiller for clarifying the issue. I’m so glad that I decided months ago not to listen to any of your programs or stations anymore after some rather derogatory statements you made about people who attend the Tea Parties. I had wondered back then if perhaps I was being too precipitous. Apparently I wasn’t.
Report Post »LadyLiberty
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 11:32amYour post was as if I had written it myself. I had noted in the last few years that their comments from their ‘news casters’ had an increasingly hostile and negative tone towards the Right and Republicans while displaying acts by Dems in a very positive way. It became so noticeable to me I started playing a game where I counted the negative/positive word ratios they used. In some cases, NPR didn’t even cover a story if it was negative to Dems or Liberals — case in point, the John Ewards mistress scandal.
Report Post »Volsense
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:13amI would like to thank Vivian Schiller for exposing herself and NPR for the bigotry that she and her station has exhibited. Liberalism is bigotry as expressed by the hatemongering actions taken against those disagree with their delusional concepts of reality. Thanks, Viv. You are what you are.
Report Post »sawman
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 11:08amAbsolutely so. NPR (National “Public” Radio) by it’s very name should enjoy opposing views and employ people from “all” walks of life. They are bigots in every sense, allowing only what they view as complementary to their philosophy.
Report Post »abc
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 11:22amWrong. Bigotry is when you maintain a false position that you know or should know is false because you hold a prejudice against a group. If Juan Williams had made a disparaging comment about Blacks, Jews, even Asians, he would have been fired in the same way, but you guys on the Blaze or on Fox News would never have said a word (Helen Thomas, anyone?). What is worse, Juan Williams is on the record for calling out whites that wrongly use skin color as a proxy for determining whether someone is dangerous as a customer to ride in a NYC cab; however, apparently, using someone’s religion to grossly categorize risk of flying on a plane–a perfectly analogous example of his own bigotry–is somehow okay. The hypocrisy and bigotry of Juan Williams, the right’s apologist, as well as the right wing is unbelievable. The right cannot justify the claims of increased risk when flying with Muslims, so they change the subject. When they start accepting the fact that Juan Williams got fired for the same reason as Helen Thomas, then perhaps we can have a rational conversation. Until then, they are just showing clearly why bigotry feels so at home in the GOP tent.
Report Post »abc
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 11:51amJuan Williams is on the record for commenting on how whites are bigots for feeling fear around Blacks they encounter on the street, given that there is more white on black crime than black on white crime. He went on to complain that whites are showing bigotry for using skin color as a proxy for how dangerous a situation is. Now, with the shoe on the other foot, apparently a perfectly analogous situation is not bigotry since it doesn’t involve people who look like Juan Williams.
When Fox News and the Blaze begin to treat disparaging remarks against the overwhelming majority of Muslims the way they do for other groups (e.g., Jews, Blacks, et. al.), then we can have a rational conversation about this. Until then, there is no question in my mind that the right, Fox included, is showing classic bigotry, while NPR is the only media outlet brave enough to treat law abiding Muslims the way they do law abiding Jews and Blacks. Good job, NPR. You might have been too harsh in firing (rather than reprimanding) Juan, but your commitment to consistency is a lesson that Fox News and the Blaze ought to heed.
Report Post »abc
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 12:00pmIn 1986, Juan Williams participated in a forum in The New Republic regarding a column by The Washington Post’s Richard Cohen, who had justified the practice of D.C. jewelry store owners who would “admit customers only through a buzzer system, and [] some store owners use this system to exclude young black males on the grounds that these people are most likely to commit a robbery” (h/t). Defending this race-based exclusion, Cohen argued that “young black males commit an inordinate amount of urban crime,“ and that ”black potential victims as well as white ones often act on this awareness, and that under certain circumstances, the mere recognition of race as a factor . . . is not in itself racism.”
Responding to Cohen’s argument, Williams said: “In this situation and all others, common sense in my constant guard. Common sense becomes racism when skin color becomes a formula for figuring out who is a danger to me.”
Report Post »john seven eighteen
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:11amAbsolute hogwash!! Why this woman still has a job is beyond me! This is the most aggregious case of hypocrisy I have ever seen and she should have been fired a minute after that “Psychologist” statement left her lips. I hope Juan has an attorney (Megyn Kelly) hired and that he goes after them full force!!
Report Post »Lion420
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:17amHiring Megyn Kelly is just not fair! Doesn’t everyone deserve a level playing field?
Report Post »starman70
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:33amLevel playing field? Only if they follow the ultra liberal, far left side of the field.
CONGRESS NEEDS TO DE-FUND NPR!
Report Post »Bluebonnet
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 11:20amYes, I’ve been hoping Fox would unleash Megyn Kelly on that 2-bit group on behalf of Juan. I wouldn’t want to get into it with that woman………she’s got what it takes and good looks too.
Report Post »neverending
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 11:32amI would love to see that and get some of “georgie soros” money.
Report Post »Steven
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:11amWhen was expressing a feeling about whether Muslims wearing traditional garb make you nervous because of terrorists threats become a controversial subject? Political Correctness is the death of U.S.
Report Post »sweetbees
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:38amBut it is okay for NPR and all the other lefty media to express their hatred towards Christians, Jews, Mormons etc.. Amazingly, they still have their jobs!!
Report Post »CatB
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 10:20amI bet if it were TEA Party members wearing shirts with American flags it would have been okay to be afraid … very afraid.
Report Post »janaya602
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 12:25pmIf you substituted “Muslim” with “Black and ”Juan’s feelings“ with ”Obama‘s Grandmother’s feelings”, you’d have the exact same story. But nobody thought the President’s comments were inappropriate.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:08amDidn’t know they had principles. Oh wait, they don’t! (At least not by civil standards).
Report Post »drbage
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:24amThe only principles that they understand are those dictated to them by Spooky Dude and his good friend Maurice Strong.
Report Post »felina g
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:35amAnyone catch 60 Minutes last night where they admitted unemployment is 17% and not the fabled 10% ? It is 22% in California.
Still think these numbers are low. We are in deep, deep doo-doo !
Report Post »5
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:37amWhy Apologizes to Juan. He’s an Uncle Tom? Juan makes Me so mad, but He’s not an Uncle Tom. NPR is nuts to go after Juan. He was the only Black man working as a reporter at NPR.
Report Post »spreadcommonsensenot pc
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:44amPC principles of course—–“right is wrong and wrong is right” of course, THE DELUSION-allusion goes on
Report Post »HKS
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:50amWow ! If Juan was the only black reporter working at NPR, and they fired him for no apparent reason, I think that sounds like racism ????? If it were a conservative network instead of a liberal one it wouldn’t take that much to get the call.
Report Post »snowleopard3200
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 10:06amNPR is ruled by the Progressives and Soros; they are just another propaganda machine, and a bad one at that, for the left and for the administration.
http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm (mix art)
landman1
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 10:10amCNN just this morning trots out a bubblehead to tell us how good things are. They’ve turned this economy around she says with a great big grin. Such crap. NPR is not the only left leaning outfit. The whole bunch of them will use the remaining days until election to cast the administration as heroes. I hope the GOP has not peaked too early. We must encourage everyone that was fed up during the time of the 8/2/08 rally to re-kindle that fire. Vote the Bums out!!!!
Report Post »sawman
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 11:01amTheir principles and standards are along your typical progressive lines. Either agree with us, or get out.
Report Post »anOpinion
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 11:21am[ Schiller goes on to say that the decision was made to “protect NPR’s integrity and values,“ ]
I think she meant to say that the decision was made to, “highlight the lack of integrity and values at NPR”
Report Post »FIRED UP FREE MAN !
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 11:42amToday’s Daily Rant Brought to YOU by Fired Up Free Man !
Revolution is in the air! People are tired of the sterile environment enforced upon them by THEIR government. We’re taxed the minute we wake up in the morning till we fall exhausted into our beds at night. There should be no bill passed that doesn’t have the extinction of at least five more laws. The trouble with the drug laws is that as soon as government is given a reason to interfere in privet lives they feel free to insinuate themselves into all aspects of our lives. We are either free or we are NOT. A man’s home used to be his castle instead our politicians have interfered with our CHILDREN, our HOMES, even our PERSONAL lives, it’s time to WAKE UP and fight back! It’s unfortunate that people use drugs, but still it’s none of the governments business. Are we free or are we not? Everybody must be responsible for their own actions. There will be winners and losers but at least this way there are some winners.
Come and add to the daily rant of Fired Up Free Man’s Facebook page!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fired-UP-Free-MAN/118250461570054?v=app_2373072738&ref=sgm
Report Post »MsMonsoon
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 12:13pmJuan was a liberal. He annoyed me. But Juans problem as far as NPR was concerned was that he was not a radical marxist liberal.
Report Post »BenThereToo
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 6:32pm@LANDMAN1
Report Post »It wasn’t the 8/2/08 rally…it was the 8/28 Rally, but other than that, YOU GOT IT RIGHT!