We have been reading about reporters who have been called out for -- and guilty of -- plagiarism. I was wondering if anyone owns or has read a piece of writing that they later learned was plagiarized.
About four years ago I bought a new book by Fareed Zakaria, 'The Post-America World: Release 2.0." I bought the book for summer reading during college, hoping it would help me as I studied for a degree in international relations. I ended up reading the book twice.
Now I have it on my bookshelf, but since reading the New York Times articles on Zakaria's plagiarism scandal, I almost wanted to throw the book away. I just checked: the book came out before the scandal broke.
The New York Times article -- the piece breaking the news -- actually had a massive correction in it, which was ironic for a story chastising another journalist's work. The article was not nearly as harsh -- I though -- as it could have been. It continually referenced his prolific journalist work and crowded schedule as a reason for his using someone else's work as his own. This makes it seem like it was the industry that forced him to do it. He should still be responsible for all the work he takes on.
Putting myself in his shoes, I would hope that people would grant some leniency and put the one article he plagiarized within the context of all the other work he has down. Which, it appears, his employers have done. I'm still not sure if I'll keep the book, but I think I will.
About four years ago I bought a new book by Fareed Zakaria, 'The Post-America World: Release 2.0." I bought the book for summer reading during college, hoping it would help me as I studied for a degree in international relations. I ended up reading the book twice.
Now I have it on my bookshelf, but since reading the New York Times articles on Zakaria's plagiarism scandal, I almost wanted to throw the book away. I just checked: the book came out before the scandal broke.
The New York Times article -- the piece breaking the news -- actually had a massive correction in it, which was ironic for a story chastising another journalist's work. The article was not nearly as harsh -- I though -- as it could have been. It continually referenced his prolific journalist work and crowded schedule as a reason for his using someone else's work as his own. This makes it seem like it was the industry that forced him to do it. He should still be responsible for all the work he takes on.
Putting myself in his shoes, I would hope that people would grant some leniency and put the one article he plagiarized within the context of all the other work he has down. Which, it appears, his employers have done. I'm still not sure if I'll keep the book, but I think I will.
I think you would like June Ehrlick's class at Harvard, Journalism Ethics Goes to the Movies.
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