News Digest

Brian Williams scandal was tip of dysfunctional iceberg, says Vanity Fair

An investigative report by Vanity Fair into the suspension of Brian Williams suggests the NBC news anchor’s fabrication was only the latest – if worst – of several debacles that have plagued the division since NBCUniversal was bought by Comcast in 2011. Chief executive Steve Burke’s distaste for talent management was to blame, the article claims, for a reorganization of the news into one group that put Patricia Fili-Krushel at its head – an impressive businesswoman with zero journalistic experience.

When Comcast took over, they had the No. 1 morning show, the No. 1 Sunday show, and the No. 1 evening broadcast. That’s all completely fallen apart. I don’t know how you blame anyone but Comcast and the people it brought in. It’s been a nightmare.

A former top NBC executive tells Vanity Fair

Fili is described by the article as the “second victim” of the Brian Williams scandal, which is still under investigation. Fili was replaced as chair of NBC News and MSNBC two days ago by Andy Lack. Williams’ fate rests with Lack and the man who just put him in charge, NBCUniversal chief executive Steve Burke.