• by Melynda Fuller , June 22, 2020

Over the weekend, Nashville-based Gannett-owned newspaper the Tennessean published an ad by a fringe religion group that included a “prophesy” that the city was in imminent danger of a nuclear attack by Islam. The newspaper pulled the ad from all future editions.

The ad included a collaged image of President Trump, the Pope and burning American flags, with an eight-paragraph letter-style address beginning “Dear Citizen of Nashville” ultimately asking readers to visit a website to learn more. It has been credited to the group Ministry of Future for America.

Since then, the Tennessean has issued several statements and launched an investigation.

“The advertisement that was placed within the Tennessean is not what we condone or stand for within our advertising department guidelines and procedures,” stated Ryan Kedzierski, vice president of sales for Middle Tennessee.

Kedzierski’s statement included news of the internal investigation set to happen at the newspaper, which will donate all advertising dollars collected from the full-page ad to the American Muslim Advisory Council.

Michael A. Anastasi, vice president and editor, called the ad’s publication “a breakdown in the normal processes, which call for careful scrutiny of our advertising content.”

Anastasi stated: “The ad is horrific and is utterly indefensible in all circumstances. It is wrong, period, and should have never been published. It has hurt members of our community and our own employees and that saddens me beyond belief. It is inconsistent with everything The Tennessean as an institution stands and has stood for and with the journalism we have produced.”

According to reports, a man named Jeff Pippenger, who is the speaker of the Ministry of Future for America, demanded a full refund and stated he stands by the content in the ad and on the website.