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Is NPR embarrassed to be seen with Juan Williams?

February 12, 2009 1:38 pm ET by Jamison Foser

In the wake of Juan Williams' latest outburst on Fox News, NPR has asked him to stop identifying himself as an NPR contributor when he appears on Fox.  NPR's Ombudsman concludes her assessment of the situation:

[I]n the end, NPR must decide -- as it apparently already has -- whether giving its listeners the benefit of Williams' voice is worth the cost of annoying some listeners for his work on Fox.

As a result of this latest flap, NPR's Vice President of News, Ellen Weiss, has asked Williams to ask that Fox remove his NPR identification whenever he is on O'Reilly.

Tags: Public Broadcasting

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    • Author by mk3872 (February 12, 2009 1:40 pm ET)
         

      Is that just a half-step compromise to not removing him from NPR all together??

      The guy completely was out of line attacking Michelle Obama at the feet of the great lord of FNC, Bill O'Reilly.

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      • Author by seeryer (February 13, 2009 10:49 am ET)
           

        What about the even half-ier step of not associating Williams with NPR only while "on the O'Reilly Factor".  This means NPR has no problem with the association with FOX NEWS, just on the O'Reilly Factor they don't want him identified as being with NPR.  This makes NPR look pretty weak and petty by just saying O'Reilly when William's appearance on that show represent less than say 25% of his on air time at FOX in any given week.  It almost sounds like they are blaming O'Reilly for the behavior of Williams when a real journalist should affect O'Reilly's behavior.  Like make it seem rational instead of O'Reilly making Williams sound irrational.

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    • Author by daveminnj (February 12, 2009 4:10 pm ET)
         

      please, make it a two-for-one special and get rid of mara liasson as well. they've been eating away whatever respect npr commanded for over 10 years. hel-LO!

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      • Author by NiceguyEddie (February 13, 2009 1:08 pm ET)
           
        Actually they may as well keep them.  I hold those two as examples everytime some con cries about how liberal NPR is.  (Contrast that with Fox, who only had one regular liberal in it's lineup [Colmes] and he's gone now.)
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    • Author by superpuck2000901 (February 12, 2009 4:22 pm ET)
         

      Mighty big of Ellen Weiss to ask Juan to keep his allegiances tidy. I only hope he can still work his magic on the truth at NPR w/out too much restraint.

      Mara Liasson 's still around -- covered the Democratic campaign, despite revealing herself as a frothing nut. And then there's Cokie . . . .

      When you consider the foundation NPR spent years laying down -- the street cred for being reliable, unbiased, and thorough -- these people just vomit mockery all over those decades of effort.

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    • Author by zappatero (February 12, 2009 4:50 pm ET)
         
      Scott Simon will have him on this w/e to dutifully bash Barack and Michelle. Has NPR heard of Stockholm Syndrome? Cuz Juan and Mara are definitely showing signs.
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    • Author by bjobotts (February 12, 2009 6:51 pm ET)
         
      I agree...Me and my friends refuse to send them another donation as long as Juan and Liam remain representing them.  These are bought and sold FOX employees now and I agree with the above commenter who said they have been eating away the good reputation of NPR for years now.  FOX uses them as if NPR listeners would ever agree with their perspective.  "See, even NPR thinks like we do" says O'Greedy...er O'Reilley.  We've had it with these goobers...they should have left with Bush
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    • Author by coach777b (February 12, 2009 7:45 pm ET)
         
      I have not given a penny to NPR since they allowed Liasson and Williams to spout their not so veiled invective. And Cokie Roberts apparently feels that now that she is old and irrelevant, she can show her true Dixiecrat colors. When these propogandists leave, I will return to NPR. I'm sure Fox has a spot for them.
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    • Author by Limit Corp. Ownership (February 12, 2009 8:32 pm ET)
         

      Why does NPR have this two-faced hack on at all?

       

      If Williams isn't the very epitome of the journalistic hore, I don't know who is.

      Williams is one reason I gave up listening to NPR several years ago.

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    • Author by zak822 (February 13, 2009 10:13 am ET)
         

      The only way an African-American gets to be a Fox commentator is by being willing to attack African-Americans. 

      Williams did a fantastic job with "Eyes on the Prize" and immediately started his descent into hackdom.  He has had little good to say about any African-American since then.  Any day now I expect him to diss himself.

      I remember when I respected him. 

       

       

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      • Author by MiddleLeft (February 13, 2009 2:34 pm ET)
           

        The only way an African-American gets to be a Fox commentator is by being willing to attack African-Americans.

        Now that's the truth!

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    • Author by puttforever4682 (February 13, 2009 1:17 pm ET)
         

      NPR Does that mean Now Presenting Republicans?

      I really do not think NPR was ever very liberal. It's just that the middle has shifted so much that middle of the road is considered far left. The right is mostly radical right.  

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