We have been cautioned against plagairism in all of our classes so obviously this is a hot topic. Using someone else’s words or ideas is unethical. I guess a corollary to that is using no one’s words and ideas is also unethical. Making things up, in other words.
During the 1990’s, a reporter for the New Republic fabricated a number of stories that made it past all the editors and went to print. When it was finally revealed, obviously it was very embarrassing for the magazine. I imagine they felt very similar to that publisher who had to explain the lack of fact checking behind “A Million Little Pieces”.
A movie was made about the New Republic incident called Shattered Glass. If you have some free time, I think it’s worth renting. It’s a good movie and definitely applicable to what we are studying.
Making it up
September 11, 2008 by enviroscope
Shattered Glass is a great movie, I agree. Well worth it for everyone to check it out…
Agreed. I think it does a great job in dealing with the ideas of credibility and reputation. Journalism does not operate on a three strikes rule when dealing with plagiarism, and given the outcasting that comes with crossing this line, I am surprised that journalists continue to do it.