Journalism Ethics: Stephen Glass and Juan Thompson Fabrication Scandals

Journalism Ethics: Stephen Glass and Juan Thompson Fabrication Scandals

Presenter(s)

Xi Jin, Christopher M Miller, Annette M Taylor, Qi Wang

Comments

This poster reflects research conducted as part of a course project designed to give students experience in the research process.

Description

Stephen Glass, at the age of 25, was a popular and prolific writer in the 1990s who had stories published in top news magazines including the New Republic, Harper’s and Rolling Stone. Then it was discovered that Glass had plagiarized and fabricated scores of stories. Qi Wang examines the ethical violations and the impact of his transgressions on journalism’s credibility with audiences. Xi Jin also considers Glass’ transgression in light of today’s charges of “fake news” and how adherence to journalism ethics can prevent against such cases in the future. Christopher Miller examines fabrication in journalism through the 2016 case of Juan Thompson, a journalist for The Intercept, who created sources in some of his stories, apparently to promote an agenda of racial and community justice. While his goal was admirable, Thompson violated ethical norms of journalism and his lying destroyed his credibility with audiences.

Publication Date

4-5-2017

Project Designation

Course Project - Undergraduate

Primary Advisor

Annette M. Taylor

Primary Advisor's Department

Communication

Keywords

Stander Symposium project

Journalism Ethics: Stephen Glass and Juan Thompson Fabrication Scandals

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