Geraldo Defends Brian Williams: His Critics 'Should Shut Up!'

[DonViejo]

Fox News senior correspondent Geraldo Rivera defended embattled NBC newsman Brian Williams on Friday, slamming the anchor's critics as basement-dwelling trolls who had never seen combat.

Williams apologized on Wednesday for claiming a helicopter in which he'd been flying while reporting from Iraq in 2003 had been shot down by a rocket propelled grenade. He blamed the error on "the fog of memory."

Rivera, whose own war reporting has been criticized over accuracy, said that "a lot of people conflate" facts, but it would "a far more grievous offense" if Williams embellished.

"What I don’t want is people to pile on and destroy a man’s entire career for this one incident," said Rivera. "Let's go slow."

Rivera had particular scorn for critics on social media.

more
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/geraldo-rivera-brian-williams-shut-up

[HereSince1628]

1. Yes, reporting is FICTION, so don't wreck a story from a politician or reporter

by demanding that it reflects reality.

News isn't real, it is ONLY reality based, the idea is to report what probably, might have been, could have been, but maybe did not occur in exactly the way the talking heads presented it.

There is a storyline that generates viewers and advertising revenue that MUST be protected by truly "professional" journalists.

[99th_Monkey]

2. What? Now you've got me agreeing with Geraldo?

OK, but just this once.

I don't want to see Williams get Dan Rathered either.

[DisgustipatedinCA]

3. He's only defending Williams because he himself was caught lying

remember when Geraldo was in Afghanistan and claimed he was in a firefight? It turns out he was several hundred miles away at the time. This is a case of one liar sticking up for another.

[MohRokTah]

4. What, the guy who reported troop movements on air live during a war?

That guy is some kind of an authority on this?????

[bluesbassman]

5. Screw Geraldo. Getting shot down in a helicopter by an RPG is not something you'd be "foggy" on...

Williams deserves all of the scorn and ridicule he's receiving.

[bigwillq]

6. How about they BOTH shut up.

Rivera and Williams are both so annoying. Williams should be let go, imo. And Rivera should never have had a job in news in the first place.

[cyberswede]

7. ...

[pinboy3niner]

9. And Geraldo!1!!

[pintobean]

12. He's just pissed that he didn't make the SISI

[dhill926]

8. they're all just part of the club….

[GeorgeGist]

10. Pile on ...

[cwydro]

11. Ha! that might be the nail in the coffin for Williams...

Geraldo defending him? Gah.

[Phentex]

13. Geraldo is just sad...

trying to remain relevant. What a doop.