December 9, 2022 4:55pm EST
NBC News issues correction after reporting Biden had a ‘choice’ between Griner or Whelan in prisoner swap
NBC News said it ‘misstated the choice the Biden administration was given over hostages’
By Brian Flood | Fox News
NBC News issued an embarrassing correction after initially reporting President Biden could have received Paul Whelan, instead of WNBA star Brittney Griner, in the White House’s controversial prisoner swap this week.
Griner was freed from Russian detention on Thursday in a high-profile prisoner exchange with Russia, who got back notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout, known as the "Merchant of Death." When NBC News covered the story, it indicated he had the option to instead bring home Whelan, a former U.S. Marine who has been in Russian custody for nearly four years.
News of the swap sparked outrage among Americans who wanted to see Whelan return home. NBC News initially reported that "the Kremlin gave the White House the choice of either Griner or Whelan – or none."
Later, the article was edited to read, "The Kremlin ultimately gave the White House the choice of Griner or no one after different options were proposed."
A correction was added, noting "an earlier version of this article misstated the choice the Biden administration was given over hostages. It was to swap Griner for no one, not a choice between Griner or Whelan."
NBC News did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
https://twitter.com/dhookstead/status/1601255872365461504more
https://www.foxnews.com/media/nbc-news-issues-correction-reporting-biden-choice-between-griner-whelan-prisoner-swap
