It was a sad day for news anchors and journalists when NBC’s most renowned spokesperson, Brian Williams, was suspended for embellishing a particular story.

The news anchor has been with NBC for so many years and has provided America with information crucial to keeping its citizens calm and informed. He’s covered the devastating tsunami that had hit Japan, Hurricane Katrina and other events, and has even been honored to have NBC receive a Peabody Award for the coverage of Katrina. The man has had many awards thrust his way and was seen as a “fastidious newsman” by Walter Cronkite, who believed that Williams brought credit to the television news reporting profession.

But recently, Williams has been put under scrutiny for a story he told during the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Army personnel have expressed their side of the story about a military Chinook helicopter that Williams was on, stating that it wasn’t hit by enemy fire. A little fib for dramatic effect, embellishing, isn’t a rare thing. It can turn an uninteresting story into something worth reading. However, embellishing a story about combat and in a dangerous area and time isn’t something to be taken lightly.

Because of this story, along with a few others that have been suspected of being embellished, Williams has been suspended from NBC for six months. To those who might not be familiar with the major news networks or have no strong opinions on the matter, this issue may not be much of a concern. The members of Spectra here at Siena Heights beg to differ. Though he’s just one man, Williams represents both America and journalists worldwide.

We have taken various views on this issue, and many seem to still value Williams as the reporter he was. One view stands behind a merciful, understanding view of humanity as a whole when he says that “as with everyone a mistake shouldn’t define ourselves. In the end (Brian Williams) is human.” Everyone makes mistakes, no matter his or her position in life. By condemning the man or firing him, not much would get done. Some may agree with this sympathetic, forgiving approach and support the idea of Williams serving a six-month suspension. According to some, “Everyone deserves a second chance.”

Yet, there are others on the other side of the spectrum. Some believe Williams should be fired because of his position and the lies he told. A six-month suspension just isn’t enough. Should Williams ever work in the journalism field again, and not just for NBC news?

Williams was a reporter to whom we turned for the truth, and, according to  somehe has corrupted that. Americans who doubt the integrity of the news networks will not be as well-informed as they should be.

Some say to forgive Williams; others say to cut him loose. Having him serve his six-month suspension seems to be the middle ground between brushing the issue under the rug and firing him. In the end, we believe it’s up to NBC to figure out what to do with him. However, because they work for regular Americans, strong opinions from our lips will not go unheard.

SPECTRA