On Thursday's NBC Nightly News, anchor Brian Williams eagerly touted ongoing trouble for the nation's largest breast cancer charity: "...the
controversy involving the Susan G. Komen Foundation has soiled one of
the great names and best-known brand names in all of charity....it was
the symbol of the fight against breast cancer until controversy came
along and Komen cut funds for Planned Parenthood, a decision it later reversed."
Williams noted how "senior leadership has given way" as "founder, Nancy
Brinker, whose late sister was Susan G. Komen, is stepping down from
her role as CEO." He wondered: "But will it be enough to restore faith
and quiet the critics?" Correspondent Lisa Myers declared the move "was
welcomed as much-needed change at Komen affiliates."
At no point in the segment was Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion provider, described as controversial.
Myers
included only critics of Komen for the report, citing "charity
watchers" who called Brinker's demotion "a step forward." Melissa Berman
of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors proclaimed: "It was pretty clear
that some change at the top was needed as a really strong signal to all
the women who depend on Susan G. Komen and those services."
Myers continued: "...on the web, some skepticism, 'Too little, too
late,' 'I will never, ever trust Komen again.' This longtime donor says
she's still not giving any more money." Former Komen Greater NYC Board
Member Eve Ellis ranted: "I see this as window dressing and as PR, I
mean, the bottom line is Nancy Brinker will still be running the
organization."
Wrapping up the one-sided report, Myers lamented: "The biggest loser in
all this, low-income women, Komen's troubles mean less money to help
women who can't afford mammograms or cancer treatment."
NBC has been a major source of "Komen's troubles," with one hit piece
after another denouncing the cancer foundation for daring to stand up
against the hard-left Planned Parenthood. As the supposed controversy
first broke out in February, Williams decried Komen's initial actions [1]:
"A decision that's making a lot of women furious at the world's largest
breast cancer organization. Why did it cut off funds for critical
breast cancer screenings?"
In March, Williams kept up the attack [2]:
"The nation's largest breast cancer charity remains in turmoil tonight
after a controversial attempt to cut off its funding of Planned
Parenthood." Myers followed: "Komen's hierarchy is in turmoil....there
are growing demands for Komen to clean house."
It looks like NBC's constant barrage against the charity worked.
Here is a full transcript of the August 9 report:
7:00PM ET TEASE:
BRIAN WILLIAMS: Also at home, will women and donations now come back to
those races for the cure? A big change at the top of the nation's
biggest breast cancer charity.
7:04PM ET SEGMENT:
WILLIAMS: Back home in the U.S. tonight, an update on another story
we've been following, the controversy involving the Susan G. Komen
Foundation has soiled one of the great names and best-known brand names
in all of charity. The instantly recognizable and zealously guarded
trademark pink ribbon always stood for one thing, it was the symbol of
the fight against breast cancer until controversy came along and Komen
cut funds for Planned Parenthood, a decision it later reversed. Now
senior leadership has given way. The founder, Nancy Brinker, whose late
sister was Susan G. Komen, is stepping down from her role as CEO. But
will it be enough to restore faith and quiet the critics? Our report
tonight from NBC's Lisa Myers.
LISA
MYERS: Today the shake-up moving founder Nancy Brinker out as CEO and
into a different management role was welcomed as much-needed change at
Komen affiliates. Like the one in Seattle, where the annual Race for the
Cure raised a half million dollars less this year, with participation
down 30%. Donations also were down sharply in many other parts of the
country.
CHERYL SHAW [EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, KOMEN PUGET SOUND]: I do see this as a
path to recovery. I am hoping that people will begin to look at us
moving forward.
MYERS: Charity watchers say it is a step forward.
MELISSA BERMAN [ROCKEFELLER PHILANTHROPY ADVISORS]: It was pretty clear
that some change at the top was needed as a really strong signal to all
the women who depend on Susan G. Komen and those services.
MYERS: Komen insiders tell NBC News that this will remove Brinker from
day-to-day
operations. They say she will retain a significant amount of
influence and that this would not have happened without Brinker's
consent. Though it's been very hard for her. But on the web, some
skepticism, "Too little, too late," "I will never, ever trust Komen
again." This longtime donor says she's still not giving any more money.
EVE ELLIS [FORMER KOMEN GREATER NYC BOARD MEMBER]: I see this as window
dressing and as PR, I mean, the bottom line is Nancy Brinker will still
be running the organization.
MYER: The biggest loser in all this, low-income women, Komen's troubles
mean less money to help women who can't afford mammograms or cancer
treatment. Lisa Myers, NBC News, Washington.