The Blair Ethics Project

Disgraced New York Times reporter Jayson Blair emerged from media exile courtesy of Washington and Lee University. The college that boasts it is "the birthplace of journalism education in the United States" paid the most infamous journalist of the 21st century $3,000 to deliver the keynote address at a journalism ethics seminar on Nov. 6, 2009. Journalism ethics professor Ed Wasserman defends his decision to invite Blair in this interview. Journalism students also defend the decision.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Jayson Blair
• New York Times
• journalism ethics
• Washington and Lee University
• journalism education
• plagiarism
• journalism scandal

[ryansongalia]

And I absolutely agree with Wasserman in this, because he went out there and wrangled in one of the most controversial journalism figures in history and allowed his students to learn from his presence. Shame on the videographer for failing to see what could be learned from Blair's presence on the campus.

[ryansongalia]

"One of the things we want journalists to do is to go to the sources. We want them to feel that's what part of their job is, is to engage those people. The idea of relying exclusively on second hand accounts is something we don't want journalists to be comfortable with." - Edward Wasserman, professor of journalism ethics ; Great, great point by Wasserman

[chrisbotron]

"add that to the reasons why Americans don't trust journalists"? I thought you said this story was about the decision of an EDUCATOR to turn Jayson Blair's corruption into a "teachable moment".

[joshpnw]

Good job AIM...

doing the job the MSM should.