Fair and Balanced?

Juan Williams is the latest in a string of journalists fired over controversial remarks that might be out of line for many listeners. Williams stated at one of his regular appearances on the “O'Reilly Factor” that Muslims dressed in Muslim garb on planes made him nervous. Is this firing fair or are we simply being too sensitive? We do have to remember that among our first amendment rights we have the right to free speech. As a journalist, Williams practiced this right on a regular basis.


Some blame his constant participation in FOX News Channel for his inappropriate remarks, others say that he simply stated something most people think but are too afraid to say out loud because of possible repercussions or because they can be deemed racist.


Although I do think his comments were not appropriate, I don’t consider getting fired over them fair. NPR makes their case by explaining that they got angry emails and phone calls in response to Williams’ remarks and Alicia Shepard, NPR's ombudsman, even compares the amount of angry emails she got for Williams with other NPR personalities that have been controversial at times. I don’t think that should even be considered when deciding to fire someone from a position they have had for 10 years.