I know by now everyone has heard about Juan Williams being fired, so I don't need to elaborate on what happened, however, I will elaborate on why he was fired and you may comment on it if you choose whether you agree with me or not.
Williams was fired not because he was a black journalist who said the wrong thing, I think race had nothing to do with this incident. I think his repeated violations of NPR's warnings was the reason. Furthermore, I believe his affiliation with Fox played a part in him being fired.
The question that comes to mind for me is, "What ever happened to being unbias and fair as a journalist?" What he said may have been taken out of content, I'm not disputing that, however he is a journalist and he should have never made the comment.
Everybody is getting mad at NPR, but would you have been mad if he had been white and had said he fear blacks? No you would have been mad at him and demanded he be fired. I think NPR did what they had to do to protect the integrity of their station and if I were in their shoes, I would have fired him also.
In media, their should be boundaries you do not cross and things you do not say, this was just a wake up call to all of these so called journalists that think their opinion matters. In journalism you have no opinion, so therefore you don't say anything that is offensive to others, even if it is something that most people think. Had he had some facts to back up what he said, I would have been mad at NPR, but since this was a stupid comment made by a stupid man, I say you get what you dish!
UPDATE:
OK, I new Jessie Jackson was going to get involved in this situation. This is another chance for him to get in the spotlight and steal it from the real issue. I don't know about you, but why is it that he is worried about Juan Williams and he has yet to speak up about the Scott Sisters life sentence for robbery when no one was hurt in that robbery. I know this is another issue, but it seems to me that he only get involved in high profile situations so that he can use big words and the race card. As an African American, I am sick of the race card being used every time he gives a speech. One of these days it will be a race issue and no one will care because he overused it!
Jackson talks about freedom of speech, but as a journalist it is my opinion that you don't have freedom of speech because your freedom was purchased by the company that employs you. I feel like journalists should never state opinions, unless they are backed by facts because they are viewed as fair and impartial. Also, his comparison to the issue with Shirley Sherrod. That was totally different. Her firing was wrongful because they edited her words to make a statement that she did not say, however, Juan Williams said what he meant to say, so he should suffer the consequences.
His comment about freedom of speech is totally wrong and does not apply to this situation because journalist are not free to speak their minds because they are the voice of the people to the people. I also feel that this race card thing is too controversial and overrated. He could have came up with other reasons why NPR was out of place for firing Williams. Now he makes others think that we will always say our race is the reason something happens to us. This creates another negative typecast added to African Americans.
6 comments:
I agree with your opinion because, like you stated earlier, journalists should be unbiased. Therefore their opinion should not be included. What makes matters worse is that Juan Williams made a comment about another race/religion, a disrespectful comment against the Muslims. Williams being fired was not surprising in my opinion. Hopefully next time he thinks twice about what he dishes out.
From what I gathered from your blog entry about Juan Williams being fired, I would also have agree with your opinion. As a journalist, and most importantly, as human being, living under the same sun, breathing the same air, it is important that we always remember to be respectful and considerate of others. Regardless of race, ethnic background, or personal beliefs, there is never an excuse to poke fun at another person. As a journalist, Williams should have been more careful about his choice of words. I feel that if such notions were not seriously looked down upon before by Williams and other media outlets, that this act will certainly unsure wrong in such acts, making it a lesson to all.
Quite frankly i do agree with this statement. now whether or not black people as a whole need to stop using the race card as an excuse to get passed a heartache. Its gettin kind of tiresome and overrated.
Again, I would also have to agree with the update of the blog. I am a strong believer that there is absolutely no valid reason for WANTING to put another person down. The fact that Jesse Jackson stands behind something like this bothers me and makes me question Jackson's thoughts before deciding to defend Williams.
As a journalist, their first priority should be the viewing public. Delivering the facts is a must. Honestly I do not feel that his statement was wrong, but wrongly placed. It definitely needed some rearranging. Not only that but his comment reflected NPR. Its not all about Williams, its about the public and he has to keep in mind that his actions reflect his representatives.
all of your comments were very valid and I have to agree with each point of view. @Nekia...That is what I am saying, he represented his employers therefore he deserved the consequences of their reaction to his action because what he said reflected poorly on them
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