NBC News is disputing Washington Post’s report Monday claiming it hired a psychological consultant for “Meet The Press” anchor David Gregory.
“Last year ‘Meet the Press’ brought in a brand consultant–not, as reported, a psychological one–to better understand how its anchor connects,” NBC News spokesperson Meghan Pianta tells TheWrap. “This is certainly not unusual for any television program, especially one that’s driven so heavily by one person.”
Also read: NBC News Hires Psychological Consultant For David Gregory
The author of WaPo’s original report, Paul Fahiri, told TheWrap he confirmed that the consultant was psychological twice.
“I did confirm it (twice, in fact),” he says. “The issue seems to be that they couldn’t find the exact right people within the company –on Easter Sunday, no less–who knew all the details. So they confirmed in general yesterday that this research was done, but are characterizing it as ‘branding’ rather than ‘psychological’ now.”
Also read: David Gregory Under Investigation by D.C. Police for Holding Gun Clip on Air (Updated)
The media fight comes as “Meet The Press” has fallen to third place in the ratings behind “Face The Nation” and “This Week.”