National
Juan Williams, a longtime NPR news analyst, was fired two days after claiming that Muslims make him “nervous” and “worried” on planes, when asked if the country was facing a “Muslim dilemma” on Fox News’ “The O’Reilly Factor.”
NPR announced that same evening that they were ending Williams’ contract with the company.
“Juan has been a valuable contributor to NPR and public radio for many years and we did not make this decision lightly or without regret,” the statement
In her memo to staff, CEO Vivian Schiller explained her decision, saying Williams’ comments compounded a pattern of his non-adherence to NPR’s journalistic standards.
Williams stated that he was fired for telling the truth, and that his statements were a revelation of his fears rather than an expression of bigotry.
