Turness: ‘NBC News is Proud to Have David in the Important Anchor Chair of Meet the Press’

By Merrill Knox 

david gregoryNBC News president Deborah Turness today sent out a note to the “Meet the Press” staff to “reiterate my support for the show and for David [Gregory].”

“There has been a great deal written about Meet the Press in the past few days, much of it quite ludicrous,” Turness writes. “Unfortunately, some of the chatter has been vindictive, personal and above all –  untrue. NBC News is proud to have David in the important anchor chair of Meet the Press. He is passionate about politics, and is committed to getting answers for our viewers on the issues that matter to them the most.”

Gregory was the subject of a Washington Post profile earlier this week. In the article, Paul Farhi reported that NBC News brought in a psychological consultant to evaluate Gregory; NBC News disputes this account, saying Gregory was interviewed by a “brand consultant.”

Advertisement

The Sunday public affairs shows, once led by “Meet the Press,” have become a tight three-way race between “MTP,” CBS’ “Face the Nation” and ABC’s “This Week.” In her note, Turness called the show a “must-stop place where news is made and critical conversations take place.”

“We will continue that charge while at the same time adapting and innovating with new ideas on all platforms and connecting what’s happening in Washington to Americans across the country. David is at the helm of these changes and will lead you and the program on the journey ahead,” she wrote.

Read Turness’ full note after the jump.

Team,

There has been a great deal written about Meet the Press in the past few days, much of it quite ludicrous.

I wanted to reach out to reiterate my support for the show and for David, now and into the future, as we work together to evolve the format.

Unfortunately, some of the chatter has been vindictive, personal and above all – untrue.

NBC News is proud to have David in the important anchor chair of Meet the Press. He is passionate about politics, and is committed to getting answers for our viewers on the issues that matter to them the most.

Meet the Press has always been the must-stop place where news is made and critical conversations take place – and we will continue that charge while at the same time adapting and innovating with new ideas on all platforms and connecting what’s happening in Washington to Americans across the country. David is at the helm of these changes and will lead you and the program on the journey ahead.

Thank you for the work that you do. I am so grateful to have such a talented team driving this special program.

Deborah

Advertisement