Image Credit: @NC5PhilWilliams / X & Public Domain
By Don Beehler [contributor to The Tennessee Conservative] –
Nashville’s NewsChannel 5 is rapidly becoming a television version of the National Enquirer thanks to reporter Phil Williams, whose coverage of last month’s Franklin election more closely resembled the legendary Ted Baxter than the work of a serious investigative reporter.
For those too young to remember him, Baxter was a fictional TV newsman who epitomized style over substance. He would gladly sacrifice journalistic integrity to expand his fan base or win an award.
Of course, Williams isn’t the only media person who uses sensationalism and questionable tactics to achieve his desired outcome. Jerry Springer and Geraldo Rivera made careers out of bringing a train-wreck mentality to virtually every story.
But even Springer and Rivera would have a hard time topping Williams’ coverage of the Franklin election. From September 11 to October 24, NewsChannel 5’s website lists 21 stories by Williams about mayoral candidate Gabrielle Hanson—all negative—and not a single story about her opponent, the incumbent mayor Ken Moore.
Given the station’s market is Middle Tennessee, it’s hard to understand how NewsChannel 5’s senior management justified such extensive, lopsided and sensational coverage of a local election that was irrelevant to most people outside of Franklin.
Even more important, what does a 21-0 ratio of stories say about NewsChannel 5’s sense of fairness and balance in its reporting?
While there are still some good reporters who are even-handed in their coverage, the sad truth is that today both local and national news coverage, as a whole, have evolved from reporting the facts (“We report, you decide”) to shaping public opinion through selective and often slanted reporting. In some cases, there is outright advocacy of causes and individuals, as well as propaganda disguised as news stories.
It’s no wonder, then, that trust in America’s news media has been dwindling for decades. A recent Gallup poll found that just 34% say they hold a “great deal” or “fair amount” of confidence in the news media, while 38%, hold no trust at all.
Still, that’s about a third of Americans who may believe reporters like Phil Williams are credible sources of information. The following is just one example of how he manipulates stories and why it’s risky to take what he says at face value.
When Westhaven community residents held a private forum for candidates prior to Franklin’s election for mayor and aldermen, Willams managed to make his way into the residents-only event. His story that evening led with the assertion that “chaos” erupted at the forum.
In reality, as video evidence from inside the crowded room makes clear, there was no chaos. (A brief dispute at the door over whether reporters were allowed to attend this private event was handled promptly and professionally.)
But leading with a minor dispute at the door, and an otherwise orderly crowd gathered inside to hear candidates discuss issues important to voters, wouldn’t have the same pizzazz as a grinning Phil Williams declaring “chaos” erupted at the event. Somewhere, Ted Baxter must have been smiling along with him.
During the forum Mayor Moore was asked about his alleged Hatch Act violations. His response was that he had consulted with his attorney and the city attorney, and that he looked forward to clearing his name. If true, violations of the Hatch Act are a pretty big deal, yet somehow this slipped past eagle-eyed Phil. Or did it?
Based on Williams’ one-sided coverage of the Franklin election and his savaging of Moore’s opponent, it certainly seems as though Williams was on a mission to help Moore get re-elected, and the allegations of the Hatch Act violations were ignored because they were detrimental to that mission.
These serious allegations and the supporting documentation accompanying them didn’t merit a single NewsChannel 5 story because they didn’t fit Williams’ agenda-driven narrative. Hence, the 21-0 coverage.
For those who may have doubts, Williams’ NewsChannel 5 bio assures us that he is “a nice guy.” Yet when a group of Franklin voters issued a public call for fairness and civility in the Franklin election, “nice guy” Phil Williams took to Twitter to mock them. We can only speculate about why he seems to think that fairness and civility are a joke.
Holding reporters like Williams accountable is a challenge, especially since he has a powerful TV station with significant resources behind him. He can edit an interview to shape his story and find other people to say pretty much whatever he wants, providing perceived credibility to his reporting. A prime example is his hit piece on Hanson’s religious beliefs, implying that a Christian worldview is dangerous and has no place in politics.
Having spent more than three decades working with news media throughout the world, I’ve encountered my share of reporters like Williams, especially ones who were hostile to people of faith. Based on my experience, I believe the best course of action for conservative, traditional-values candidates—whether they are in Middle Tennessee or other parts of the state—is to simply ignore such reporters.
This is not to suggest that conservatives dodge tough questions or avoid reporters altogether; rather, the issue is whether a candidate has confidence that his or her answers will be honestly and accurately reflected in a reporter’s story. If a reporter has a track record of being biased and untrustworthy, there’s nothing to gain by granting an interview.
There are times when it’s necessary to respond to something particularly outrageous or inaccurately reported in the news. In such cases, I suggest issuing a statement rather than risk becoming a victim of clever editing. A candidate’s website should have clear information about where he or she stands on issues. It’s the perfect place to direct a questionable reporter seeking information, along with public statements from candidate forums and other places.
That, of course, will not keep Williams from harassing true conservatives in hopes of getting something he can use against them. In such cases, smartphones should be employed to record Phil before, during and after an interview—or even in an attempted interview—so that the full story, and his behavior, can be recorded and circulated for all to see.
No reporter is entitled to an interview. Before agreeing to speak with a member of the news media, candidates need to investigate the investigator to get an idea of how conservative issues and individuals are treated.
Only do an interview if you believe you will be treated fairly. Be polite and prepared with your messaging, and be sure to record each interview, just in case. If you make a mistake admit it, apologize and move on.
When in doubt, Proverbs 23:9 provides wise counsel: “Don’t speak to a fool, for he will despise the insight of your words.”
About the Author: Don Beehler is a retired public relations consultant in Franklin, Tennessee. For more information visit www.donbeehler.com.
14 Responses
Excellent editorial. This captured so well Williams’ hypocrisy as a reporter. So much for balanced reporting, which he should have learned in Journalism School… if he ever attended one. The fact that he totally ignored Mayor Moore’s possible violations of the Little Hatch Act yet brutalized his opponent says all anyone needs to know about his news judgment. And these stories. Thanks for sharing this perspective.
The simple solution is to let the 35% watch and listen. No station can survive a 35% viewership in a limited market. Within six months the station will be making hard decisions to remain profitable. It’s all about the money, people. Take away the money by refusing to buy from the company’s that advertise on his segment and change will come quickly.
Hear her for yourself
https://rumble.com/v3jq4xp-mill-creek-view-tennessee-podcast-ep131-gabrielle-hanson-interview-and-more.html
I’ve always liked Phil Williams and found him reporting just the facts. Maybe you need more fake news in your opinions.
You’re clearly a Lib. Why are you here? Are you buddies with Phil or an activist?
Facts are not likely when he edits video footage to show ONLY a portion of what happened in a situation where he was provoking and harassing people who questioned why he was at a private non partisan event. People have the right to question him just like he has a right to be invited. Freedom goes both ways however, the difference is he uses his power of media to incite his angry mob to go after people who don’t agree with or like him. That is abuse of power. It has nothing to do with him being a reputable reporter that collects facts. The fact that Nashville perceives this as journalism is embarrassing. The only reason anyone likes him is the same reason people watched Jerry Springer. Phil could accomplish the same reporting by being respectful and kind but that doesn’t give the trolls what they want.
Great article. Thank you Don and thank you TC News.
Had no TV in nigh 30 years. LONG ago learned lucifer’s leftists.
….but there WERE stories to tell about Ken Moore and the rest of the Williamson County Swamp: https://williamson-families.org/common-sense-tn-1/
I have worked a little with Phil in the past. I saw nothing wrong with what he did. I don’t live in Franklin, so the race was not of local importance to me. What bothered me, though, was that an avowed Nazi is backing this woman. She didn’t outright condemn what they were doing, and she was shown walking and conversing with them as well.
As aconservative Christian, a pastor and a news journalist for over 20 years, this bothered me. Why would the woman be running around with racists of any persuasion? Conservatives are constantly hammered as being “white supremacists” or if they’re black, “Uncle Toms”. This woman did nothing to hinder that continued stereotype. I don’t know about Moore and the Hatch Act violations, but this article makes it sound as if the writer supports the woman despite her relationship with racists, and it has undertones that he supports the racist group as well.
I’m not accusing anyone of anything, but this article doesn’t make me want to lay all the blame on Phil.
“Everyone who disagrees with me is a racist. And those who associate with those who disagree with me are also racist.”
We know how it is. It’s not working anymore. People are fed up. Your worn-out ad hominems mean nothing.
Charlie, I didn’t write a word in my op-ed about supporting or opposing either candidate. It was all about Williams and his extremely biased, selective coverage. What specifically did I say that leads you to believe I support racism? Nothing could be further from the truth, and I find such an accusation to be offensive and irresponsible.
Fanning the flames of fascism brought to you by the Boomer Cabal of WIlliamson County.
Moments after I called Phil out on his obvious bias and hypocritical race baiting, he set his pack of paid hyenas onto me. Rape and death threats, dozens per day. Hollow threats, of course. But that’s how cowards deal with having a spotlight turned on them for a change. They hide behind paid agitators and act like a victim. He’s a pathetic little man and a lousy excuse for a journalist.