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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Because I am traveling with my family today in order to attend an event tonight here in the Twin Cities, and because the newscast can move WITH me without too much effort, tonight will find us in Minneapolis. Since there should be some mystery in life, I'll say a word at the end of the broadcast about the event that brings us here.
To the newscast: A late-breaking lead story tonight: the verdict in the Zacarias Moussaoui case. Pete Williams will have the story and analysis. We'll also look at the federal bird flu plan and a new soft drink initiative aimed at kids. We will air a piece we have promoted for this evening on gas prices -- chiefly, where and why a gallon is available so cheaply. And We also have a fascinating item about women who work -- inside or outside the home -- and what they should be paid for it.
AND ANOTHER THING...
My thanks to the good folks here at our legendary and venerable NBC affiliate, KARE-TV channel 11 -- or, as it is spoken aloud in this region, "Care eleven." I had a nice visit with my counterparts there today in their beautiful new HD studio.
Also, a few of you called me on something I said in this space about how there was "only one big story out there" in the news a few days back. We are all guilty of using an awful and demeaning (to real events around the world, where people live and die every day and where atrocities are committed and where great, great things happen) kind of shorthand. Once a day on most days in every newsroom in the country, large or small, you hear someone say, "it's the only story there is today." What they mean is... in terms of that newscast, that day, and given the circumstances, vagaries and limitations of daily (and especially television) journalism -- including a kind of insidious group think that happens wherever two or more journalists are gathered. Of COURSE there is news out there. In every person, in every nation and city and town. Take Darfur or Najaf. Tons of news in both places, much of it awful. But on a random Tuesday at 6 p.m., it can't just be "declared" news -- people have to be in place to cover it. There are more caveats and explanations than time or space permit. It was, regrettably, both offhand and shorthand -- two qualities that can come back to haunt a stressed-out journalist writing a blog posting on deadline with people hovering outside his office door and a studio full of people waiting for him to show up for a promo taping.
Back to our core business in this world of so much news: our 30-minute slice of it will be ready for air before we know it, and we sincerely hope you'll join us.
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A gas price reality check
Mr. Williams,
Your job is great. The stories are fantasitc,and you are doing a superb job. I myself have a love for the news. Journalism as a whole. I know were Minneapolis,MN is sir. I know were Lousiana is...I know were Iraq is.....I am 24 and I cannot believe 6 in 10 people are geographicaly illiterate. That report was very eyeopening to me, because it is so weird to think that that ratio is so large. WOW!
Michael Franco, St. Clair Shores, Michigan (Sent May 4, 2006 10:50:37 AM)
First of all, I am an ex-pat living in Japan and getting the NBC Nightly News via the 'net has been a lifesaver.
I want to comment about the story concerning the decriminalization of small amounts of recreational drugs in Mexico.
Your story seemed to me to be slanted heavily to the side of drug prohibitionists. It mainly focused on potential problems with the bill and of course we were treated to the usual littany of anti-drug crusaders like Barry McCaffery.
Perhaps your story could have given the reason why Mexico has come up with this strategy which seems strange only in America. You see, many European countries have tried this tact and it has worked. Canada has basically done the same.
Your story could have also included people in America (besides the typical media stoner type) who support this legislation.
Thanks again for making your newscast available online,
JB Spore, Yokohama, Japan (Sent May 4, 2006 9:13:16 AM)
I hear you, Brian! What you're doing at NBC News - doing what is necessary to spread word to the American people about what has happened and is happening here and around the world - is vitally important now more than ever. I've been a fan ever since your post-Katrina Daily Show appearance.
Jeff Hubbs, Lilburn, GA (Sent May 3, 2006 10:29:20 PM)
The problem I have with the government and the Moussaoui case was that Moussaoui was never given the chance to prove he was innocent. For months after he was arrested he tried to get his defense lawyer to allow him to call detainees held at Gitmo, Cuba as witnesses. The government denied his requests.
It was after all his defense strategies were twarted by the Bush administration and their refusal to let him call people Moussaoui said could prove he was innocent Moussaoui started to claim he was a high ranking member of Al-Q a a friend of Bin Laden and created a new plot against America and pleaded guilty. Bush determined he was guilty and Moussaoui wasn't going to accept the death penalty and go quietly.
The only question: Is Moussaoui really guilty?
Dewey Quong, Reno, NV (Sent May 3, 2006 9:09:17 PM)
There have been some wierd decisions in the past -- "jesus walking on ice" -- but your editors are for the most part correct in presenting the most newsworthy stories.
However, I still think that NBC can be a lot better if they hired one or two reporters who are real investigators, and who can delve deeply into a subject and come out with a concise story.
Public broadcasting does not have a monopoly on the long-format news story. Christine Amanpour said it best that "hocus pocus focus groups" determine too much of what a news broadcast is aimed towards. If you report well, they will come.
Jonathan Simmons (Sent May 3, 2006 8:29:57 PM)
While your appearance on The Daily Show seemed to imply that Brian Williams was not a mouthpiece of the Bush Administration and would always uphold journalistic standards, recent stories have shaken my confidence. You might have interviewed and presented points of view to counter Government positions that we face impending doom with a flu pandemic and that Mexico lightening up on personal drug possession (as do a growing number of countries who can more clearly see the costs of an insane War on Drugs) will somehow hurt Americans. I am disappointed.
BTW, Saint Paul is a nicer city than Minneapolis. Ask Garrison Keillor.
Jim Maas, Rothschild, Wisconsin (Sent May 3, 2006 8:20:48 PM)
I don't always agree with your news priorities or your political leanings, but I do respect you. So, please take this as only an observation.
You, sir, are not the news. While it is one of the wonders of the modern age that you can broadcast while on a family trip, out of the 20 +/- minutes your have to report the news, aren't there a wide enough range of stories to share that really do impact Americans?
(Sent May 3, 2006 7:16:10 PM)
Why isn't NBC Nightly News in stunning High Definition?
DTB (Sent May 3, 2006 6:36:06 PM)
Hi Brien! - What about brining to Chicago the traveling (mobile) "Brian Williams"nightly News program and "dog show.
I'm sure your sister station here (WMAQ-TV Channel 5) cuold find a decent space for you and your crew members,perhaps even providing you with the "most important news of the day" at any given time period. We would love to see you all out here by beautiful Lake Michigan.Why not?
Gerry B. in Chicago (Sent May 3, 2006 6:13:54 PM)
I have my timmer set to 6:30, so I can catch NBC News. Unfortunately, you people stay on the same subject way too long. At the current moment, I am intrested in the Bird Flu, Gas Prices, and why Zacarias Moussaoui is the only criminal we put on trial for Sept. 11th. I think Brian Williams is a pretty professional news boradcaster. My only concern is that NBC News is slightly out of touch with what people want to know. This morning, on Today, the Exxon CEO was interveiwed. By the time tonights show airs, the contents of the show will be outdated. I want to learn more about his comments, and what the government will do about them.
I remember Brian Williams' comment "Only one big story out there", and I thought he insulted my intellegance. I use to work for a newspaper, and I can understand the quality of a story. If there is only 'One Big Story', why is NBC News in buisness.
I hope you people try to dig deep for those stories that matter. Just because their is no death, scandle, or chaos involved doesn't mean its not a 'Big Story'.
Ever since Katrina hit the coast, I can count over a hundred reports you have made about the event. At one point, I turned to CBS. Believe it or not, CBS has cuaght my intrest, for they are keeping up with the rest of us.
I hope Brian Williams doesn't take this while standing down. Go Williams, Go Williams, Go....
MacLeod, Mandfield, MA (Sent May 3, 2006 6:13:18 PM)
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