(Letters and email at bottom of page)  aka: Rocky Mount’s Enquirer Strikes Again!

Once again, the Rocky Mount Telegram (the Fox News of Rocky Mount) has sunk to the bottom of the journalistic and editorial barrel by running a false attack article on North Carolina Senator A. B. Swindell.  

In an article titled, States fines Swindell for failure to report contributions, not only are the facts of the matter erroneous, but neither the reporter nor anyone of the editorial staff bothered to check the facts with state Senator A. B. Swindell.

Had the Telegram taken the time to dig a little deeper (into the 48 hour rule) or do one smidgen of due diligence, instead of jumping on a “tip” with no merit, the Tel-a-lie would have found — both from the State Board of Election and Sen. Swindell– that the State had erred in fining Swindell.

Through the freedom of public information act, I have obtained a faxed letter to the State Board of Elections from Swindell’s Treasurer, Sam Marsh, and an email from Kim Starch dismissing and resending the fine levied against Swindell. 

Had the Telegram taken the time to call Sen. Swindell, the paper would have had the opportunity to print factual information.  The paper chose not to pursue integrity and ethics.

With 9 days left until November 2, the Rocky Mount Telegram has made it clear their position on Swindell, from my blog post of Sept 23, I reference this editorial from the “Enquirer” the Telegrams writes: N.C. Sen. A.B. Swindell has crossed a line of taste and fairness in a campaign flier that suggests his Republican opponent, E.S. “Buck” Newton, has a history of illegal drug use. (http://tinyurl.com/26m7cf5).  In other words, be damned the truth, print what sells!

I aptly titled that post, “Don’t expect the Telegram to Give You The Truth”.

The Telegram knows full well, that while most people do not read the paper word-for-word, they do glance at the headlines.  From the grocery store check-out line to the coin operated vending machines, the caption in bold print reads, State fines Swindell. 

The Telegram also knows unmistakably, that even “if” they printed the truth, at some later date, it is not the same as getting the story right, in the first place.

What a way to sell a newspaper! I’d have more respect for the owners and editors of the Telegram if they would rename the paper the The Rocky Mount Enquirer , at least that would be a more honest appraisal.

In a nutshell, Swindell did nothing wrong.  As the letter states, from Marsh, for the past 10 years, Swindell’s campaign finances have be maintained in an impeccable fashion.  Well, apparently the State Board of Elections feels the same way, but you won’t read that in the Telegram…at least not today!

I’ve enclosed the letters (to and from the State Board of Elections) below.

 

Email from State Board: (email address omitted )