Miguel Almaguer, an Emmy Award-winning journalist and a familiar face at NBC News, has announced his departure from the network.
This decision follows his controversial report on Paul Pelosi's attack and a subsequent suspension by NBC.
Almaguer's career at NBC spanned 18 years, marked by distinguished reporting and recognition. His work graced the screens of NBC Nightly News, Today, and MSNBC, earning him accolades including an Emmy and an Edward R. Murrow award.
The seasoned reporter took to Instagram to share his decision, reflecting on his experiences and expressing excitement for future endeavors. In his post, Almaguer said:
Seen a lot. Done a lot. Learned a lot. Thankful for my nearly 2-decade-long run at NBC News. But more than anything grateful for those in the trenches with me. With them, it was more an adventure than work. Change is hard and goodbyes aren’t easy. But turning the page is exciting. In the news ... I love a great last line. This one is still being written.
The controversy surrounding Almaguer stemmed from a report he delivered in late 2022 about the attack on Paul Pelosi, husband of Rep. Nancy Pelosi. His coverage raised questions and inadvertently fueled right-wing conspiracy theories regarding the incident.
Following this, NBC News took swift action, suspending Almaguer and removing his report from their website. In an internal memo, NBC News clarified that the report did not meet their journalistic standards and cited issues with the reliability of the source used in Almaguer's report.
In a heartfelt statement to his colleagues, Almaguer reflected on his tenure at NBC News. He expressed gratitude for the opportunities and experiences the network provided him, emphasizing the honor of being part of a team covering significant global events.
Almaguer's departure marks the end of a significant chapter for both the journalist and NBC News. His absence leaves a void in a team that he described as "some of the very best in the business."
An internal memo from NBC confirmed Almaguer's departure, acknowledging his contributions to the network. It read:
Miguel has been a valued member of our newsgathering team, traveling around the country and the globe to cover many of the biggest stories. He’s earned honors and recognition for his intrepid reporting, including an Edward R. Murrow award and an Emmy. He has been a mainstay across NBC Nightly News, TODAY, MSNBC, and NBC News NOW.
The incident leading to Almaguer's suspension and eventual departure underscores the challenges and responsibilities faced by journalists in today's fast-paced and often polarized media environment. It serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between rigorous investigative reporting and adherence to journalistic standards.
Miguel Almaguer, an Emmy Award-winning journalist known for his work at NBC News, has announced his departure from the network after 18 years. His decision follows a controversial report on Paul Pelosi's attack, which led to his suspension and raised questions about journalistic standards.
Almaguer's career at NBC, where he contributed to programs like NBC Nightly News, Today, and MSNBC, was marked by distinguished reporting and significant recognition, including an Emmy and an Edward R. Murrow award. He shared his decision and reflections on his career through a heartfelt Instagram post, expressing gratitude and excitement for future endeavors.
The controversy that led to his departure involved a report on Paul Pelosi's attack, which NBC later retracted, citing it did not meet their journalistic standards and had issues with source reliability. Almaguer's departure highlights journalists' challenges in maintaining rigorous investigative reporting while adhering to strict journalistic standards in a rapidly evolving and often polarized media landscape.
