Juan Williams, NPR and Fox News

25 October 2010 |permalink | email article

A conflict that has long existed for both enterprising and multitasking journalists has become a classic media controversy. It involves Juan Williams, an award winning Washington Post reporter from 1976-2000, who during that time was also a panelist on a Washington political affairs program, a CNN host and joined National Public Radio in 1999 as a news analyst. Because of his commentary on the Fox News Channel NPR in 2009 requested that FNC stop identifying him as an NPR host.

What triggered Williams’ firing last week, employed by both NPR and Fox News, was when he said on Fox that he felt fearful when he saw people in “Muslim garb” on an airplane. Some called it bigoted while others came to Williams’ defense, notably many conservatives who have long sought to reignite their war against public broadcasting. Then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich in the mid-1990s was unsuccessful in trying to “zero out” funds, and any new defunding effort by conservative Republicans will fail.

Many of Williams’ supporters have sought to frame the firing as a First Amendment issue but NPR’s chief executive said it was not the product of political or financial pressures. Vivian Schiller said his contract was terminated because Williams “had on several occasions violated our news code of ethics on what he said on other people’s air.” NPR’s ethics code states that journalists “should not express views” in other outlets.

NPR gets no direct money from the federal government for its $161.8 million annual budget, with 41% of its revenue coming from member station fees and dues. Williams himself said on Fox News’ morning show that since 1999, NPR has not needed “public funds.” 

Williams said his firing was “unfair” but he’s now a conservative hero, signing a new $2 million contract with Republican leaning Fox News. Brit Hume said he was a victim of a double-standard at NPR: Chris Wallace added, “Let me just say buddy…You’re among friends.” Rupert Murdoch is pleased.

What they said

“The Obama administration seems not to have a prosecutorial gene. It’s shy about calling a fraud a fraud when it occurs in high finance.” Frank Rich, the New York Times columnist, on enabling faux GOP populism.

Meg Whitman, the Republican gubernatorial candidate who’s spent $140 million and trails, wants to create special zones at state universities to encourage companies to take root near campuses.

“The big tent that Reagan envisioned has become a pup tent, at least in California.” – Sacramento Bee columnist Dan Morain.


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