Editor of Trumpet Newsmagazine clarifies mistatements by Tim Russert regarding Min. Louis Farrakhan and Rev. Jeremiah Wright

We all know that Tim Russert attempted to “swift boat” Senator Barack Obama (and Clinton for that matter) in last Tuesday’s debate. Russert decided to take the debate off the issues and turn it into a muckraking session.

Russert asked Obama about comments made by Minister Louis Farrakhan as well as comments about Min. Farrakhan that he attributed to Rev. Jeremiah Wright. I received an email this morning with information from the Managing Editor of Trumpet Newsmagazine. Her message clarifies the bad information that’s been out there as well as the bad information Russert gave during the debate.

To whom it may concern:

I write to bring some journalistic clarity to what has become a widespread inaccuracy. My name is Rhoda McKinney Jones, managing editor of the Trumpet Newsmagazine, and the author of the Minister Louis Farrakhan article in our November/December issue.

Over the last few weeks, I have watched in disbelief as seasoned journalists and not-so-well-intentioned bloggers have attributed to Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., pastor emeritus of Trinity United Church of Christ, the last three words of my first person, introductory piece on Minister Farrakhan.

Those words are now familiar to you, especially after Tuesday night’s debate and Tim Russert’s use of them—“truly epitomized greatness.” Dr. Wright, never said, wrote or uttered those words. Those words are mine and mine alone. Whether one agrees with my assessment is not the issue or the reason I was prompted to correct the record.

As a well-trained journalist, I know the most basic fact checking would have revealed the truth. Next time, when attempting to sully a presidential candidate by discrediting his church and its renowned, religious leader, let’s get the facts straight.

Rhoda McKinney Jones

Managing Editor

Trumpet Newsmagazine

Graduate of Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and Spelman College

Don’t have time today, but I will have more on this in the days to come.