The big story this week has been Brian Williams’ big lapse of judgement, which led the US news anchor to repeatedly tell a story about how he was shot down in a helicopter. Williams retracted his statements, after several veterans disputed their authenticity, but the story has raised concerns about the authenticity of the entire US journalistic process.

Brian Williams
Despite Brian Williams' apology, the anchor is still in hot water over his claims.

Williams, the most-watched network anchor in the US, blamed the "fog of memory" for the lapse in his statement. He also announced a hiatus from the nightly news show, for several days while the network investigated his claims.

"Upon my return, I will continue my career-long effort to be worthy of the trust of those who place their trust in us," he added.

More: NBC Announces Investigation into Anchor Brian Williams' Iraq Error

Until that point, the news anchor plans to keep up a low profile, following the lengthy apology he issued Wednesday:  "I made a mistake in recalling the events of 12 years ago," he said. "I want to apologise. I said I was travelling in an aircraft that was hit by RPG [rocket-propelled grenade] fire. I was instead in a following aircraft."

The apology was prompted by some pretty vehement objections from veterans, who actually were inside the aircraft. One of them, Flight engineer Lance Reynolds, wrote: "Sorry dude, I don't remember you being on my aircraft. I do remember you walking up about an hour after we had landed to ask me what had happened."