CONTAINING LINKS TO 1280 STORIES FROM THE NETWORKS' NIGHTLY NEWSCASTS
     COMMENTS: Williams’ Supertankersized Fib Flub

NBC anchor Brian Williams filed a second interview with John Hofmeister, the former president of Shell Oil. You remember the last time Hofmeister appeared on Nightly News eight days ago? Williams posed his question thus: "You are an advocate of something that has worked in the Arabian Gulf and that is surrounding it with supertanker ships." Hofmeister replied: "You could take these supertankers in formation; take water and oil together off the surface, 1m barrels per copy; go unload it in tanks; separate the oil and the water; discharge the water back into the sea. I think we should be seriously considering some kind of a tank formation with three, four, five supertankers. Get this oil off the surface so it does not wash up into the wetlands."

This is how Williams remembers that exchange: "When you were last on air with us I asked you about the idea that some have proffered about surrounding it with supertankers. You said it would not work with this kind of spill."

I must say, that was the easiest Fact Check I have ever done. FALSE!

UPDATE: Williams is on the record at TVNewser admitting that he made an honest mistake. He has apologized to Hofmeister, accounting for the error because he was away from the studio, anchoring from the field and interviewing by remote. So let's call it a FLUB not a FIB.

     READER COMMENTS BELOW:

can't you do like an analysis with the 3 evening newscast on which has more substance and best reporting and analyze who has the best graphics, set etc.. and how does the affiliates and lead in plays a strong role in an Evening Newscast' ratings. thank you!



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