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NBC finds more possible reporting problems by Brian Williams, report says

New scrutiny about a Brian Williams report in 2006 and two in 2011 may reveal even more factual inaccuracies, two sources close to the investigation reportedly said.

By Doug G. Ware
NBC News anchor Brian Williams might face more scrutiny over more possible reporting errors involving stories from 2006 and 2011, the New York Times reported, Friday, April 24, 2015. Photo: UPI/Bill Greenblatt
NBC News anchor Brian Williams might face more scrutiny over more possible reporting errors involving stories from 2006 and 2011, the New York Times reported, Friday, April 24, 2015. Photo: UPI/Bill Greenblatt | License Photo

NEW YORK, April 24 (UPI) -- It appears that more scrutiny is coming for suspended NBC News anchor Brian Williams, sources close to the investigation told the New York Times Friday.

Williams was suspended in February after an inaccuracy was found in a 2003 report on the Iraq War. Two people with knowledge of the network's investigation now say NBC has found even more possible instances of fabricating, misrepresenting or embellishing facts, the Times report said.

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The report comes on the heels of news that staffers at the network's Washington, D.C., bureau told NBC News President Deborah Turness that they oppose William's return once his suspension is up in August.

The sources said another possible error in Williams' reporting involves statements he made about a report in Tahrir Square, Egypt, during the Arab Spring in 2011.

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NBC announced in February that it would look deeper into Williams' reporting history after the error in the 2003 report was found. Williams broadcast a retrospective about the story on the Nightly News in January, in which he stated that a helicopter he was riding in was shot at by enemy forces. Scrutiny of the report and statements by military personnel who accompanied the NBC newsman in 2003 subsequently revealed that his chopper had not been shot at.

Williams' claim particularly drew criticism on Facebook, where the retrospective report was posted. Multiple veterans responded in the post's thread that Williams' claim of being shot at was wrong.

"Sorry dude, I don't remember you being on my aircraft," Lance Reynolds, one of the soldiers who was aboard the actual chopper that drew enemy fire, posted. "I do remember you walking up about an hour after we had landed to ask me what had happened. Then I remember you guys taking back off in a different flight of Chinooks from another unit and heading to Kuwait to report your 'war story' to the Nightly News."

Williams responded by saying he got confused about the exact sequence and elements of the events, particularly because they happened more than a decade ago.

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RELATED Report: NBC's Washington bureau against anchor Williams' return

At least five NBC News journalists are involved in the network's investigation. Another potential reporting error, the Times report said, involved a missile attack while Williams was riding aboard another helicopter over Israel in 2006 -- and a story about the killing of Osama Bin Laden in 2011.

It is not yet clear exactly which details of the reports NBC is reviewing, but the 2011 Tehrir Square report might be a question of whether Williams was even present there during the protests about the overthrow of the Egyptian government.

Neither Williams nor his attorney commented on the matter, the Times report said.

Williams was suspended without pay in February following the error's discovery. It has been largely expected that he will return to the network after the suspension is up. However, NBC has not yet made that clear and is likely waiting for the results of its investigation before deciding on the matter.

Last month, former NBC News chief Andrew Lack was brought back to the network to oversee its operations and try to restore some of the credibility it may have lost over the reporting scandal.

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