NBC fend off criticism for not airing 9/11 tribute

NBC has hit back at viewers who criticised their decision not to air the moment of silence yesterday marking the 9/11 anniversary.

NBC’s Today Show was on air with a celebrity interview at the time other networks and news channels paused for silence at 8.46am local time. That is the time first plane struck the World Trade Centre back in September 2001.

An NBC spokeswomen said that the Today show had already dedicated a “considerable amount of time” to the anniversary.

The network has been at the centre of controversy this year from dropping Ann Curry as anchor of Today to overall coverage of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

NBC omitted a tribute to 7th July 2005 London bombings during the Opening Ceremony in July, opting for an interview with swimmer Michael Phelps instead.