The NPR Situation

First off, read this article (opens in new window). It’s an opinion piece on the firing of Juan Williams. There’s a portion that’s especially on point. 

"The First Amendment of our beloved Constitution allows all people to express racist or bigoted thoughts. However, it does not mean that a reputable, mainstream media organization (such as NPR) must give these people a continued platform for those xenophobic views." 

It’s a good point.  The First Amendment allows everyone to express those thoughts.  But a media organization can choose whether those thoughts turned into words are compatible with their platform.  As the article suggests, that’s why we have Fox News.  Plus, Williams was not a commentator or a columnist. He was a news analyst, plain and simple.  Although even as a commentator or columnist his words were likely out of line, he would have been more able to be controversial. That’s generally the point of a commentator or columnist.  But personal opinions, whatever they may be, don’t belong in a straight analysis of the news. Not to mention he was just factually incorrect – none of the 9/11 hijackers, nor the failed shoe bomber, nor the failed underwear bomber wore "Muslim garb."  As the article also states, when you make a weak disclaimer that you’re not bigoted, you’re almost sure to follow it with a bigoted statement.  People are also forgetting this isn’t the first time he’s made comments that cross the line.  This wasn’t his first strike. As someone who believes firmly in the First Amendment and the rest of the Bill of Rights (and someone who’s studying to be a lawyer), I don’t have a problem with firing him for his comments. 

"Life is measured not by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."