Stop picking on Brian Williams, CNN.

This morning, between sips of coffee, I found myself locked in on CNN. A segment or actual program on their network was dedicated to talking about the issues with the news division at NBC and I was completely confused. Why was a cable news station finding it more appropriate to bash and question the moves of another news station? 

I sat back and began to think about what the most appropriate action for a news division during this time. While many people see the news of Jon Stewart's impending departure, and the credibility of network news, I find the the best thing to do is stay the course. 

For NBC: 

There is no use pretending that this didn't happen. Lester Holt will hold the ship true, and will be able to take the news ship back out to sea. The question lies with what should happen with Brian Williams? 

The answer isn't simple. Brian Williams will now, forever, be tied with this issue. Years from now when people are beginning documentary series on the way news was presented, his name and the NBC brand will be tied with this. 

The solution isn't going to be simple, but it will all be down to choices. Brian Williams has done a ton of beautiful, thought provoking, as well as credible work in the past. The question is whether or not you can properly restore any of his face value. 

1. The first course of action should be a full length apology. Brian Williams, by himself, in front of a camera. He should say things involved with how the journalism process goes and other information. 
2. The second is Brian Williams should accept EVERY interview that is offered on the subject after his suspension. He needs to be as open and candid as possible. People will want every detail, and why he shouldn't spill out every fact of everything he's ever done, being honest with people after this case can only help.

These steps would be a good start to restoring Brian Williams if NBC wouldn't want to buy out his contract.

For other news channels:

You know the old phrase, "Do unto others as you would do have others do unto you." Yeah. That's the best position to place this. Why would you spend hours on a story about another news channel discussing their issues when you'd probably be the first person to protest if they would do it to you? 

The best way to angle this story given the nature of the story is to present the facts of the story. Spending time discussing it looks tacky, trashy, and a step below TMZ's coverage of celebrities lives. It's silly to spend time digging into the past issues of a news station and management decisions you disagree.

Let the late night hosts take care of poking at the comical parts of the situation. Sure, Brian Williams didn't actually kill Hitler, but it's more entertaining (and proper) to hear Kimmel, Letterman, and Stewart refer to this story than an anchor leading a roundtable on CNN about it. 

In 6 months, we will see where Brian Williams will fall. Either back in the 6:30 pm EST slot anchoring the news doing a deep apology like what is rumored, or he will be taking over for Jon Stewart at Comedy Central...

Who knows?