In a radio interview with actor and talk show host Alec Baldwin, ABC News chief anchor George Stephanopoulos downplayed how former NBC News personality Brian Williams fabricated his stories for the sake of flare.
“He’s trying to connect to people through stories,” Stephanopoulos said.
In the March 2015 inteview with Baldwin, the "Good Morning America" co-host conceded that he was “stunned” by the news, but then proceeded to shift the blame away from Williams and onto the “NBC Nightly News” team for allowing the fictitious details to make it into the broadcasts in the first place.
“A couple of things have stunned me: One, when you see the various clips, you’re surprised at the volume a little bit, and the vividness,” Stephanopoulos said.
“But also, I’ve got to say, I’m surprised—I didn’t quite understand how it got into the broadcast. ‘Cause, you know, we all are surrounded by big teams.”
Stephanopoulos added that he—as Brian Williams had done in his career—rubs against “some of the restrictions” placed on broadcast journalists, but understands that rules are “there for a reason.”
“Listen," Stephanopoulos said. "In my job, I sometimes chafe at some of the restrictions—the various checks and balances."
“But you know it’s there for a reason.”
For his full remarks, listen to the podcast below.