NBCUniversal suspends lying news anchor Brian Williams of NBC Nightly News on CNBC Africa for half a year without pay, calls it a 'painful period'.

NBCUniversal has suspended the lying American news anchor Brian Williams of the NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams for half a year and without pay, calling the swirling scandal a "painful period".

The NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams is broadcast nightly on CNBC Africa (DStv 410) in South Africa and the rest of the continent at 01:30.

A firestorm erupted last week after Brian Williams was forced to do a bad on-air apology for "misremembering" after he lied and said he was in a helicopter that was shot at in Iraq during the Iraq war - something which didn't happen.

Several other incidents of Brian Williams "misremembering" has since come to light, damaging his reputation as well as the credibility of NBC News and the NBC Nightly News. 

Speculation is swirling about whether Brian Williams will be replaced permanently.

"By his actions, Brian Williams has jeopardized the trust millions of Americans place in NBC News," says Stephen P. Burke, the CEO of NBCUniversal in a statement. "His actions are inexcusable and this suspension is severe and appropriate."

"We have decided today to suspend Brian Williams as managing editor and anchor of NBC Nightly News for six months. The suspension will be without pay and is effective immediately," NBC News president Deborah Turness told NBC News staff in an email.

"We let Brian know of our decision earlier today. Lester Holt will continue to substitute anchor the NBC Nightly News. As managing editor and anchor of Nightly News, Brian has a responsibility to be truthful and to uphold the high standards of the news division at all times."

"While on Nightly News on Friday, January 30, 2015, Brian misrepresented events which occurred while he was covering the Iraq War in 2003. It then became clear that on other occasions Brian had done the same while telling that story in other venues. This was wrong and completely inappropriate for someone in Brian’s position".

NBCUniversal has launched an internal review of Brian Williams and the things he's said during interviews about stories he's covered.