NBC Makes a Mistake, then Makes it Right

June 20, 2011

On Sunday NBC opened their telecast of the US Open with a video montage of patriotic images and past tournament winners overlaid with children reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. What appeared to be designed as an emotional tribute to America quickly turned into a firestorm of negative social publicity. NBC had omitted the words “under God” and “indivisible” from the first recitation and additionally cut out “one nation” during the second version.

However, this did not go unnoticed by the American public who immediately erupted in confusion as to how this could happen, making their disbelief known throughout social media channels. The response was so large and sudden that NBC responded with an on-air apology later in the telecast:

"We began our coverage of this final round just about three hours ago and when we did it was our intent to begin the coverage of this U.S. Open Championship with a feature that captured the patriotism of our national championship being held in our nation's capital for the third time. Regrettably, a portion of the Pledge of Allegiance that was in that feature was edited out. It was not done to upset anyone, and we'd like to apologize to those of you who were offended by it."

While it may be easy to “pile on” NBC for this error, vice president of NBC Universal Sports and Olympics responded further on Monday saying the decision to edit portions of the Pledge of Allegiance were made by a small group of people and “This was a bad decision.”

There are a couple of lessons we can all learn from this:

1. No matter what anyone tries to tell you, this nation identifies itself as “One nation, under God, indivisible”. If this is true at a golf tournament, it is certainly true in our courts and schools.

2. Peaceful protest and the voice of the public still matter.

3. When a company makes a bad decision and immediately apologizes for it, we should recognize the apology more so than the offense.

Let us all not grow weary in doing good! We must continue to stand together for the defense of the unborn, the sanctity of marriage, and the defense of religious liberties. Our voices are heard when we speak in unison.

Religious Liberty Manhattan Declaration

Comments 11

Von 21 Jun
The apology was weak at best. People need to be fired and a massive apology given. I for one am Boycotting them until further notice.
Doug 21 Jun
Sorry, I don't buy it. This was not a "bad decision". This was a trial run, to see what they could get away with.
Erik 21 Jun
Let's be honest here. The only reason that NBC issued the apology, was because people were in uproar. If no one said anything, they would've let it go. The only reason they were wrong was because they were caught.
Jeff Plummer 21 Jun
Your closing statement says it all: We are to heed the apology moreso than the offense. God is forgiving, He puts our sin BEHIND His back, where it cannot be seen again.
We need to learn to forgive quickly, Love keeps NO RECORD OF WRONG DOING.
I didn't see the mistake/error, didn't watch the video clip, What is important is they acknowledged their wrong doing, by a minority within their ranks. Even King David had to be singled out to confess his wrong doing re: Bathsheba and Uriah. Had Nathan not by God accused him David may never have written some of the most beautiful psalms of contrition and repentance ever. Ps 51 just one of many examples. A Broken Heart and a Contrite Spirit God will NEVER despise.
Jeff
Paul Akridge 21 Jun
If you think this was a small mistake, in my opimion, you are sadly misguided or naive. This was intentional, and the only reason for the apology was the immediate outcry from the public.

Was this small group disciplined or better yet, fired? We are being fed all kins of bull from the liberal media, and it is past time for them to be called out on it. They are trying to take the mere mention of God out of everything.

NO SMALL MISTAKE !!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe someone from the Manhattan Declaration wrote this blog.
Chris Kirk 21 Jun
"When a company makes a bad decision and immediately apologizes for it, we should recognize the apology more so than the offense." Unless that company only regrets being 'caught' yet still harbors and cultivates an ideological bias and desire to fundamentally transform America off it's foundation all the while masquerading and pretending to be a neutral presenter of news. THAT company should be pressed harder under scrutiny.
PJWyatt 21 Jun
A complete apology would be to show the unedited version at the next opportunity!
JonInVa 21 Jun
Negative..it was an "apology" without specifying exactly what they were apologizing for. So in the end, they never did use the words "God" or "Indivisible" in their broadcast. They won.
Gerald 21 Jun
Tweeking the facts is just situaltion normal for the Big 3 networks. THAT is their mission, to twist facts into the propaganda message they want to acheive. Obviously, they got called out on it again! Way to go patriots! Hold them to the standard of truth.
Cyril 21 Jun
Excellent points made. Thanks for the clarity of thought.
John Neswadi 03 Jul
NO SMALL MISTAKE !! I am personally boycotting NBC from being watched ever again in our house.