The Daily Nightly began on May 31, 2005. As Brian wrote in his first post it aims to provide a narrative of the broadcast day and a window into the editorial process at NBC Nightly News. Brian weighs in every weekday and NBC News correspondents and producers post regularly.
Brian Williams became the seventh anchor and managing editor in the history of NBC Nightly News on December 2, 2004. Read his full biography.
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Last week, Nightly News’ investigative unit broke the story of e-mails that revealed a divergence between the warnings of a FEMA deputy stationed at the Superdome during Katrina, and the responses he got from the inner circle of former director Michael Brown. The testimony of the FEMA insider, Marty Bahamonde, was a focal point of Senate hearings the next day. His criticism of FEMA is especially significant because of his reputation: he is highly praised by both Brown and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.
The report prompted a skeptical response from one viewer, who wrote:
"… Initially, I thought it was a terrific report. However, I think you owe it to your viewers to give some indication as to who tipped off your reporter and who provided you with the e-mails. If someone in Washington is continuing to make Michael Brown the scapegoat for the disaster in New Orleans in order to protect others, you missed the real story; namely, who is doing the leaking and whom are they trying to protect?"
His first point is a topical one. We are adherents of journalism's transparency movement (the silver lining in the storm over confidential sources), and we try, when appropriate, to share details about how we got the stories we report to you. (Obviously, it's not always possible to identify sources.) Here, we missed a chance to share some background information. NBC News obtained the e-mails from a FEMA critic.
As for the viewer's second point – whether these e-mails were made available to make Brown a "scapegoat" – it's speculative. Our investigative team says there's no evidence that politics were at work here, especially given the bipartisan nature of the Senate hearings (chaired by a Republican) and Bahamonde's stature as a respected source. (For a sense of how his testimony was received, see this Washington Post story.) To me, the skepticism expressed by this viewer is a (not unwelcome) sign of the journalism times. I hope he understands that we take his concerns to heart, and think carefully about our sources, their agendas (if any) and what constitutes everything you need to know about the information we report.
Read more from Lisa Green
Journalism 101: Leaks & sourcing
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It appears that Brownie wanted to do the right thing by quitting. He just didn't know how to get out of a lifetime milestone of appointment to a major department of government. Everythings a gamble and when he took the position he either assumed it would truly be a desk job with advisors to help him as Bushie has. But the urgency and the importance of being responsible for more lives and the reputation of the United States was too much to bear. He just seemed to shut down, The govenors and mayors of the affected areas were suddendly and with urgent trepidation on his back and the realisation in the lack of preparation that incompetence was creeping in just shut him down. In a panic he grasped at straws all the while bemoaning why the storm didn't weaken or take a different path. Lesson for everyone, when you commit to anything think of the consequences, especially the worse case scenario as you will be the fall guy and possibly besmurched for life.
David Hutchinson (Sent Nov 3, 2005 6:43:28 AM)
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