NPR Chief’s ‘Psychiatrist’ Remark on Juan Williams Breaks the Law

Posted on October 29, 2010 by Floyd Brown by Floyd and Mary Beth Brown



With the public firing of Juan Williams, a fatal blow was stuck to the meticulously cultivated brand image of National Public Radio (NPR), but that’s just the beginning of their problems. The firing itself takes a back seat in this sordid tale. The campaign of vindictive and libelous accusations against Williams is the most reveling actions taken during the controversy. NPR was a brand which while liberal, was renowned for thoughtfulness and tolerance.

But not now—that’s been blown—NPR’s been tarnished and irrevocably damaged.

Ironically, Williams personified the brand. Williams was predictably on the left, but he wasn’t dogmatic or arrogant. Unlike many pundits he was courteous and circumspect in his comments. He was thoughtful and tolerant. He was everything NPR claims to be.

This incident has permanently tarnished the brand, and for the first time since its creation the Corporation for Public Broadcasting faces being reformed, defunded, or maybe even abolished. If a Republican Congress returns to Washington, expect hearings on the issue.

The campaign against Williams was so vicious even The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has commented warning National Public Radio (NPR) that a remark made by NPR’s CEO Vivian Schiller in the firing of Juan Williams violated the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

After firing Williams for talking about Muslims during a Fox TV News program, Schiller told news media that Williams’ personal feelings should have been kept between himself and his “psychiatrist or publicist — take your pick.â€