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AirTalk

NPR fires commentator Juan Williams

Journalist Juan Williams.
Journalist Juan Williams.
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Pete_Wright/Flickr (cc by-nc-nd)
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NPR fires commentator Juan Williams
News analyst Juan Williams was let go by NPR after comments he made on The O’Reilly Factor on Monday. In response to a question from Bill O’Reilly about whether Muslims present a national dilemma, Juan said "Look, Bill, I'm not a bigot. You know the kind of books I've written about the civil rights movement in this country. But when I get on the plane, I got to tell you, if I see people who are in Muslim garb and I think, you know, they are identifying themselves first and foremost as Muslims, I get worried. I get nervous." Williams was criticized for the remarks made on the Fox News Channel, and ultimately, NPR terminated his contract. What do you think? Was NPR right to fire Williams? Did he undermine his credibility as a journalist? Or was he simply expressing something many Americans feel right now? Larry talks about the controversy with NPR's Ombudsman and takes listener calls.

News analyst Juan Williams was let go by NPR after comments he made on The O’Reilly Factor on Monday. In response to a question from Bill O’Reilly about whether Muslims present a national dilemma, Juan said "Look, Bill, I'm not a bigot. You know the kind of books I've written about the civil rights movement in this country. But when I get on the plane, I got to tell you, if I see people who are in Muslim garb and I think, you know, they are identifying themselves first and foremost as Muslims, I get worried. I get nervous." Williams was criticized for the remarks made on the Fox News Channel, and ultimately, NPR terminated his contract. What do you think? Was NPR right to fire Williams? Did he undermine his credibility as a journalist? Or was he simply expressing something many Americans feel right now? Larry talks about the controversy with NPR's Ombudsman and takes listener calls.

Guest:

Alicia Shepard,Ombudsman, NPR