The biggest news to rock the world of journalism this summer was undoubtedly the discovery that New York Times reporter Jayson Blair had been caught lying and embellishing his stories.
The 27-year-old reporter had misled readers and editors for years, making up quotations, lying about the places he had reported from, and stealing words and stories from other journalists.
Blair's serial fabrications came to light in May, when he was forced to resign from his job in a scandal that left an indelible black mark on one of the nation's most well-respected newspapers and brought down two of the paper's top editors.
Upon learning about Blair's firing, I felt justice had been served. I couldn't believe he had fooled so many people for such a long period of time, and I was even more appalled at his lack of remorse.
Stories about Blair's treacheries died down in the weeks that followed the much talked-about discovery, but his name popped up in the news again last week. Reports came to light that he would receive a six-figure advance for writing his memoirs.
His memoirs? You have got to be kidding me. First this guy gets away with journalistic murder at one of the biggest newspapers in the country, and now his actions are suddenly being rectified in a tell-all book?
I want to know where this guy gets off. The last time I checked, Blair's only job was to tell the truth and get the facts right. And now we're suppose to believe he'll do that when his book, titled "Burning Down My Master's House: My Life at The New York Times," hits the shelves next spring?
According to a CNN report, Blair's story, sold to L.A.-based publishing house The New Millennium Press, will cover the reporter's life, concluding with his editors' discovery of his misdeeds. The book will also include details about Blair's life since the scandal broke and tell a bit about his family history.
Blair, who is black, told CNN the book would also touch on how race played a part in his time with the newspaper and how his recently diagnosed bipolar disorder contributed to his breakdown.
Some might take pity on Blair by adding race and his condition into the mix, but I firmly believe that, ethnicity and personal health aside, no person who commits such a violation should receive further attention for what he or she has done.
Blair told CNN reporters, "So many people get themselves into trouble, and they take their shame and run and hide ... I think it would be a disservice to not give people the opportunity to learn from this."
What a pity that, as people "learn" by picking up copies of his book, Blair will be laughing all the way to the bank. Furthermore, what a pity it is to be living in a world where this sort of tradeoff has suddenly become acceptable.
Write to Gail at glkoch@bsu.edu
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