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NPR fires analyst over remarks on Fox about Muslims
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/39774756/
10/21/10
NPR has fired veteran analyst Juan Williams over remarks he made about Muslims on the Fox News Channel program, "The O’Reilly Factor."
The national radio network said in a statement Wednesday that the remarks, in which Williams said he gets nervous flying with people in Muslim garb, were “inconsistent with our editorial standards and practices, and undermined his credibility as a news analyst with NPR.”
Williams’ dismissal followed comments on the Fox News prime time show, where he also serves as an analyst.
During the show, O’Reilly asked Williams to comment on the idea that the United States was facing a “Muslim dilemma.” It followed a controversy over O’Reilly’s own appearance on the afternoon show, The View,’ where two hosts walked out after he said that “Muslims killed us on 9/11.”
His argument, which moderator Whoopi Goldberg declared to be "bull----," inspired both Goldberg and co-host Joy Behar to leave their own set.
On Monday, Williams said he concurred with O’Reilly about the threats faced by the United States.
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..He added, "Look, Bill, I'm not a bigot. You know the kind of books I've written about the civil rights movement in this country. But when I get on the plane, I got to tell you, if I see people who are in Muslim garb and I think, you know, they are identifying themselves first and foremost as Muslims, I get worried. I get nervous."
He also said, amid a heated debate with O'Reilly, that people shouldn’t blame Muslims for “extremists,” same as Christians couldn’t be blamed for the Oklahoma City bombing. O'Reilly, for his part, said he refused to qualify everything he said about Muslims.
NPR, which receives most of its funding from listener-supported member stations, has been uncomfortable for some time with Williams’ role on Fox. After he became a regular on the mostly conservative network, NPR asked that he no longer be identified as an NPR correspondent.
The network, in a news story on the site, reported that Williams said he wasn't ready to comment on his dismissal and was conferring with his wife.
10/21/10
NPR has fired veteran analyst Juan Williams over remarks he made about Muslims on the Fox News Channel program, "The O’Reilly Factor."
The national radio network said in a statement Wednesday that the remarks, in which Williams said he gets nervous flying with people in Muslim garb, were “inconsistent with our editorial standards and practices, and undermined his credibility as a news analyst with NPR.”
Williams’ dismissal followed comments on the Fox News prime time show, where he also serves as an analyst.
During the show, O’Reilly asked Williams to comment on the idea that the United States was facing a “Muslim dilemma.” It followed a controversy over O’Reilly’s own appearance on the afternoon show, The View,’ where two hosts walked out after he said that “Muslims killed us on 9/11.”
His argument, which moderator Whoopi Goldberg declared to be "bull----," inspired both Goldberg and co-host Joy Behar to leave their own set.
On Monday, Williams said he concurred with O’Reilly about the threats faced by the United States.
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..He added, "Look, Bill, I'm not a bigot. You know the kind of books I've written about the civil rights movement in this country. But when I get on the plane, I got to tell you, if I see people who are in Muslim garb and I think, you know, they are identifying themselves first and foremost as Muslims, I get worried. I get nervous."
He also said, amid a heated debate with O'Reilly, that people shouldn’t blame Muslims for “extremists,” same as Christians couldn’t be blamed for the Oklahoma City bombing. O'Reilly, for his part, said he refused to qualify everything he said about Muslims.
NPR, which receives most of its funding from listener-supported member stations, has been uncomfortable for some time with Williams’ role on Fox. After he became a regular on the mostly conservative network, NPR asked that he no longer be identified as an NPR correspondent.
The network, in a news story on the site, reported that Williams said he wasn't ready to comment on his dismissal and was conferring with his wife.
Well I think one thing we can all agree on regardless of why it happened, it should not have happened the way it did and NPR has to own it. I think that is pretty much the bottom line. I heard someone say on the news this morning that is was not what he said, but the platform in which he said it. Fox News in a nutshell.
whatever... none of us are perfect.. he worked there for 10 years...
It does make you wonder if he would have been offended if someone had said, black people in a dark ally scares people! See how many spins can be put on any given situation. SCARY!
Now if me an you are talkin over a drink and I say something like that to you, then it is my opinion. However if I go on national television and say it, I might not be using my smarts. This dude wasnt using his smarts.
Now if me an you are talkin over a drink and I say something like that to you, then it is my opinion. However if I go on national television and say it, I might not be using my smarts. This dude wasnt using his smarts.
(sorry about sending above statement without being finished) continued..... youd think he'd be a little more subtle to rush to anything spoken, so it doesnt strike me as a bigoted statement.
I agree with the fact that there should be workplace policies regarding conduct. I also think that if one says something in a public forum, they should be held accountable. There are ramifications pretty much to everything we say or do. Basically what is being said is, "You can think it, but you cannot say it." And maybe that is a good policy for not getting yourself into trouble.
I personally did not percieve what this guy said as a bigoted statement, but I can easily see how it can be digested that way. The man himself is a minority, and you'd think that he'd be a bit more subtle to
I personally did not percieve what this guy said as a bigoted statement, but I can easily see how it can be digested that way. The man himself is a minority, and you'd think that he'd be a bit more subtle to
I agree, rightly or wrongly, certain professions are held to a higher standard. I am still not certain how I feel about him being fired over his opinion, but I do think he probably shouldn't have put things the way he did (I finally saw a clip). The reality is he is an influential person, and it's just not a good thing to heighten the fear that already exists.
It sort of makes me think of that ADA who is basically stalking and bullying the gay student at his old college who is now the Student Council President. As a regular citizen he is entitled to his opinions...even as an ADA he is entitled to his opinions...but he cannot act that way, and knew that when he took this position.
This journalist had to have known the rules before hand and he made a choice to make controversial statements on TV that were against the policies of NPR. He had to have known there were repurcussions and yet he still made that choice.
It sort of makes me think of that ADA who is basically stalking and bullying the gay student at his old college who is now the Student Council President. As a regular citizen he is entitled to his opinions...even as an ADA he is entitled to his opinions...but he cannot act that way, and knew that when he took this position.
This journalist had to have known the rules before hand and he made a choice to make controversial statements on TV that were against the policies of NPR. He had to have known there were repurcussions and yet he still made that choice.
With some jobs there would be standards of conduct as regards what a person does when they are not at work such as a police officer or teacher and a journalist would be included among them. However I would agree that they were just stating their opinion which is not against the code of conduct of a journalist. I do disagree with what he said but it is a matter of free speech. However I also disagree with the congress person in that state who in reaction is trying to pass a law that would defund NPR and other government radio stations because they have a liberal bias. They should just require that journalists and broadcasts reflect the wide variety of political opinions people have. I'd rather hear what a journalist really thinks than have them state what they are told to say. That works both ways. Fighting censorship and a government controlled media what was enabled Edward R. Murrow to stop the McCarthy era. I'd rather have any opinion that is ignorant be contested by people stating why they believe it is wrong rather than it being suppressed. Anyway this issue is complex and will bring out a heated debate but that is part of free speech as well.
ummmm he wasn't at work... so now they control what he says when he is off the clock too?
Im off to get that second cup meself!!!!!
This guy is not a commentator is the problem, he was hired as an analyst. In that position, what he states as personal opinion can come back to bite. I understand there have been other issues with him. With that said tho, it could have been handled better for sure, but I do understand why it is such a big deal in his particular situation. If he were a commentator, the situation would have been much different.
I do think it was a bit of an extreme reaction to fire him as well. However, in a way I am glad. I think anything that promotes the anti Muslim fervor needs to be squashed. It was Al Qaeda terrorists that perpetuated 911 not simply Muslims. There is a difference. If someone was just chit chatting away and made the comment ----- no big deal, they're just talking. This was a news show with someone that JUST had a controversial moment on another show by saying something similar. Um, that makes it slightly less innocent in my opinion.
And the unfortunate thing (among many) about terrorists is that honestly, you won't see it coming if they are attacking. They tend to NOT want you to know who they are. And by then fearing everyone we play into their hands. It causes a greater divide. Well, that is just my old Saturday morning pre coffee theory.
And the unfortunate thing (among many) about terrorists is that honestly, you won't see it coming if they are attacking. They tend to NOT want you to know who they are. And by then fearing everyone we play into their hands. It causes a greater divide. Well, that is just my old Saturday morning pre coffee theory.
There must be some reason why our government employs TSA people at every major airport. Why persecute Juan Williams for sharing similar feelings?
NPR is gov't funded and should not be able to fire people over freedom of speech.. anyway,
I look twice when I see a middle eastern on a plane, I feel nervous if I see people in gang attire, Heck, I get freaked out if I am walking alone in the evening and a man is walking behind me I am a rape survivor and heck I think my pain has earned me the right to feel afraid when I want to and that doesn't make me a bad person. It doesn't mean I should be fired from my job as a teacher. Action cause reactions and that is just a fact, it should have been used as a conversation starter to have a REAL talk about race and fear and not just been pushed aside by firing the person... just plain ignorant to pretend that people aren't truely afraid. To act like he is wrong for feeling that way, just so sad to act so holier than thou...
I look twice when I see a middle eastern on a plane, I feel nervous if I see people in gang attire, Heck, I get freaked out if I am walking alone in the evening and a man is walking behind me I am a rape survivor and heck I think my pain has earned me the right to feel afraid when I want to and that doesn't make me a bad person. It doesn't mean I should be fired from my job as a teacher. Action cause reactions and that is just a fact, it should have been used as a conversation starter to have a REAL talk about race and fear and not just been pushed aside by firing the person... just plain ignorant to pretend that people aren't truely afraid. To act like he is wrong for feeling that way, just so sad to act so holier than thou...
I agree that NPR has standards and this guy stepped outside the lines of those standards when he said what he did. He ultimately gets to pay the price for it by losing his job, and since NPR is signing the checks, they can have whoever they want broadcasting their news.
In all fairness though, this guys standards havent changed over night, and its a far stretch to align what he said as "hate speech". In my opinion NPR is as biased as any of the big networks, and while they probably gave this guy a shot to "level the playing field" when it comes to opinions on their network....they decided that they have had enough of that. They are the boss, they can do that. To me, it looks as if this may have been a long time coming, but this guys choice of language or thought essentially cut the head off of the serpant.
There is just so much sensitivity surrounding this issue that anything said about it is being picked apart by either side. Lots of accusations, finger pointing, lots of people being to afraid to voice their opinions....its just a mess!
I think the Muslim community can do so much more that what they are doing. They should be educating everyone to the difference between them and the extremists. They should be pointing out the extremists by saying....that is not our beliefs, that is not the way we conduct business....heck....there's 1000 things they can do to help the Muslim community and clarify any doubts, but theres a reluctance to do that within the Muslim community. As much as they claim they want to be distinguished as different from the extremists, they arent doing much to help their own cause..........ah, just my opinion.
Okay, after hearing more on this and watching how this has unfolded, I changed my mind. NPR has standards and this dude spoke out of those standards while working in the capacity as an employee for NPR. It is their right to let him go for those reasons. Everyone has an opinion but when, where and how you express it and while in what capacity does make a difference.
Now dude says he was working in a box, so if he feels that way, why was he working for them in the first place. So, he is liberated out of the box, NPR can maintain their standards, and fox gets a new employee. Now I wish they would all shut up about it! lol
Now dude says he was working in a box, so if he feels that way, why was he working for them in the first place. So, he is liberated out of the box, NPR can maintain their standards, and fox gets a new employee. Now I wish they would all shut up about it! lol
Lol, what a pair we are sometimes...darn it girl, disagree with me or I get confused...haha.
I know what you were trying to say as it was what I was trying to say two posts earlier. LOL
I guess I always think of that old saying "With great power comes great responsibility" and the media does have so much power to influence. So even though it is probably not fair as reporters are just human beings, I do hold them to a higher standard when it comes to giving out information. Your right, he probably is not a bigot, just human, but I guess I just think they need to be extra careful, especially with all that is happening right now. I don't know, maybe it's wrong of me to feel that way, but so many seem to want to believe that all Muslims are terrorists and when they hear someone in the media say something like that, it just reaffirms and turns their fear into belief. Lol, did that make sense? I know what I am trying to say..ha.
I also try to remember that the terrorists that carried out 9/11 were trying to blend in and were not in traditional garb. But I think fear and trepidation after that horrific event is very natural. I've felt it too. It's fleeting though and has nothing to do with dislike of Muslims. I know that is the case with a lot of people and most likely the correspondent that lost his job.
I will admit that even I take a good look around and can get nervous flying with Muslims in very traditional garb. I fight it, but it's still there way in the back of my mind. It's not a feeling I am proud of.
At the same time, I do agree that we cannot have this type of attitude in the media or anywhere. It just fuels the nervousness and anti Muslim sentiment that already exists. If allowed to continue, it could get quite dangerous very quickly. I agree with both of you...there seems to still be so many that confuse Muslims in general with the radicals and it's important to continue to showcase the difference. So while firing him may have been extreme, I do think extreme measures need to be taken to stop the poison from spreading.
At the same time, I do agree that we cannot have this type of attitude in the media or anywhere. It just fuels the nervousness and anti Muslim sentiment that already exists. If allowed to continue, it could get quite dangerous very quickly. I agree with both of you...there seems to still be so many that confuse Muslims in general with the radicals and it's important to continue to showcase the difference. So while firing him may have been extreme, I do think extreme measures need to be taken to stop the poison from spreading.
Totally agree.
Yeah, I agree that it was extreme. I don't know if it was the right thing to do or not----- but I see this anti Muslim sentiment as a real danger. Lots talk about being politically correct has gone too far. In some regards I also believe that is true but also feel that this anti Muslim stuff is different. I don't think that everyone that makes a politically incorrect statement does it out of being anti that group------------ but if they are . . . then it is a biggoted statement. If you make a comment because you are describing something or someone that is one thing but if behind that comment is that you don't think they should be in this country----------- that is different. Right now, I think there are warning signs that some will start to think it is okay to not want Muslims in this country. And that is wrong. So a network can help or hurt in that process. Maybe that is why they did it. I do think it is extreme though.
I wouldnt worry about it any other time, but honestly my fear of flying anyway and then the memory of 9/11 does revoke a response. Its just automatic. I am not saying it is right to have that response, but it does happen. I agree about the media as well, it does need to stop. I am not sure tho with as far as fox and other networks have gone, it kind of is silly to nail this guy by taking his job. How about a fine or something? There has been much much worse than this said, is my point. I understand he did apologize and clarify himself.
when I said "anyone" ------ I meant "everyone that is Muslim".
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