NPR'S True Colors in Willams' Firing

by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright October 25, 2010
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              When NPR CEO Vivian Schiller canned long-time analyst Juan Williams Oct. 21, she expressed confidence that she did it for the right reasons.  Williams shared some personal fears about religiously-garbed Muslims on FOXNews’ “The O’Reilly Factor” with Bill O’Reilly.  After spending 25 years with the Washington Post as an investigative journalist, Williams went into broadcast journalism joining NPR in 1997.  Two years later, he moonlighted on the fledgling FOXNews Channel, giving the conservative network a more balanced voice.  Schiller offered a veiled apology for not giving network affiliates a heads up but offered no apology for her VP Ellen Weiss who notified Williams Oct. 21 of his termination, telling the 56-year-old journalist he should have kept his thoughts between “his psychiatrist and publicist.”  No one knows whether Williams really sees a psychiatrist.

            Schiller says NPR “stands firmly behind” her decision to fire Williams, citing a history of strong opining, not considered Kosher at the left-leaning National Public Radio.  Schiller indicated that Williams was warned in the past to “avoid expressing strong personal opinions on controversial topics in public settings, as that is inconsistent with his role as an NPR news analyst,” offering the substance behind what looks like a flimsy excuse.  Saying NPR was well within its rights to can Williams for past deeds, Schiller makes the termination all the more complicated to the current event.  While Williams admitted to feeling “nervous” on airplanes when seeing Muslims in traditional garbs, his admission on national TV didn’t warrant summary dismissal.  NPR management could have consulted with their legal department to find a more appropriate way of parting company.

            Schiller expressed no reservations about Weiss’s comments about what and to whom Williams should keep quiet about his personal views.  If Weiss knew Williams were really seeing a psychiatrist that would be a major breach of HIPPA laws, federal medical privacy protections.  NPR’s closely guarded personnel issues, like medical privacy, could be liability for violating William’s rights.  Schilller confessed that NPR “did not take the time to prepare our program partners and provide you with the tools to cope with the fallout of this episode” read Schiller’s memo to the media.  Since firing Williams, NPR has faced an avalanche of criticism because they knew Juan’s track record on civil rights.  Demonizing Williams or exaggerating what he said Oct. 17 on “The O’Reilly Factor” only exposes NPR, a public and private-funded partnership, to more financial liability.

            If Schiller and other executives felt Williams’ affiliation with FOX were so in compatible, NPR should have amicably put Williams on notice that they didn’t plan to renew his contract.  Taking a cheap shot a Williams because of his innocent faux pas shows NPR’s lack of professionalism at the top.  Schiller’s abrupt decision doesn’t reflect editorial integrity but rather a knee-jerk reaction, believing the O’Reilly incident warranted immediate termination.  Schiller’s miscalculation shows poor judgment, not something you want representing NPR.  Her miscalculation could cost the cash-strapped public radio network unknown sums in any action sought by Williams for wrongful termination.  Calling Williams’ termination as “howling double standard,” “FOXNews Sunday” anchor Brit Hume wasted little time highlighting the hypocrisy of the more liberal-leaning NPR.

            Less than 24-hours after the termination, FOXNew signed Williams to a two-year $2 million contract, far exceeding his NPR salary.  Whatever one thinks of Williams’ remarks about Muslims on “The O’Reilly Factor,” Schiller’s actions hurt the network’s credibility.  It’s difficult for anyone to see how venting some personal feelings constitute a politically incorrect death sentence.  Firing Williams looked like overkill considering remarks aired by other NPR journalists, especially legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg who, in 1995, said she hoped five-term Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) would “get AIDS from a transfusion, or one of his grandchildren would get it.”   Totenberg faced no disciplinary action.  Given NPR’s double standard, Schiller has a lot of explaining to do to prevent a costly wrongful termination suit, reflecting on her poor judgment and management skills.

            Williams was clearly a scapegoat for disgruntled NPR management seeking any excuse to can the 56-year-old African American journalist.  Schiller’s recent comments justifying her decision show the extent to which she lacks the judgment and management skills to run NPR.  Whether you’re conservative or liberal, inept or incompetent management stands out like a sore thumb.  Saying she “stands firmly behind” her inappropriate actions displays the kind of hubris unfit for upper management.  Schiller  could have discussed Williams’ comments privately, dealing with whatever fallout was necessary, including ending his contract.  Mismanaging Williams’ termination goes  beyond what she said or didn’t say to network affiliates.  Schiller needed to admit she made a mistake and apologize to Williams for grossly overreacting to his comments on  “The O’Reilly Factor.”

.About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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