2008 Woodie Awards
Jayson Blair, fired for fabrication, to give ethics lecture
Jonathan Sumler & Staff contributors
Issue date: 4/8/04 Section: News
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Jayson Blair, the former New York Times reporter who plagiarized and fabricated dozens of stories before resigning from the newspaper last spring will be on campus on April 13 to talk about the scandal that rocked the world of journalism, and forced the top two editors at the New York Times to resign.
Jamal Watson, a professor in the communications department, originally invited Blair to speak to just his Communication Ethics class. He decided to open up Blair's talk to the entire Marist community after several professors and students expressed an interest in listening to the 27-year-old former journalist.
"Certainly, Jayson Blair disgraced journalism and brought shame on the profession," said Watson. "But as communication practioners, we need to understand why he did what he did, and work hard to prevent another Jayson Blair from emerging."
Watson said that Blair, who is not being paid to appear at Marist, agreed to speak at the college because he wants to "come clean" about the misleading stories he printed.
Last month, Blair released his book Burning Down My Masters' House: My Life at The New York Times . In the book, he divulges the reasoning behind his deception of the public, ranging from mental illness to race relations.
"I lied and I lied and then I lied some more," Blair writes in the 298 page book. "I lied about where I had been, I lied about where I had found information, I lied about how I write the story. And these were no everyday little white lies-they were complete fantasies, embellished down to the tinest made-up detail.
Marist students seem divided over Blair's appearance. Josh Crescenzi, a communications sophomore said that he welcomes Blair's visit.
"I think it would be interesting to hear what Jayson Blair has to say," said Crescenzi. "Perhaps Blair is just attempting to sell his book, but who knows for sure."
Sean Shortell, a sophomore political science major, said that Blair should not be able to publicize his lies at Marist. "I think it's great that Marist is attracting guest speakers, but Mr. Blair is known for what he did wrong," said Shortell.
Jamal Watson, a professor in the communications department, originally invited Blair to speak to just his Communication Ethics class. He decided to open up Blair's talk to the entire Marist community after several professors and students expressed an interest in listening to the 27-year-old former journalist.
"Certainly, Jayson Blair disgraced journalism and brought shame on the profession," said Watson. "But as communication practioners, we need to understand why he did what he did, and work hard to prevent another Jayson Blair from emerging."
Watson said that Blair, who is not being paid to appear at Marist, agreed to speak at the college because he wants to "come clean" about the misleading stories he printed.
Last month, Blair released his book Burning Down My Masters' House: My Life at The New York Times . In the book, he divulges the reasoning behind his deception of the public, ranging from mental illness to race relations.
"I lied and I lied and then I lied some more," Blair writes in the 298 page book. "I lied about where I had been, I lied about where I had found information, I lied about how I write the story. And these were no everyday little white lies-they were complete fantasies, embellished down to the tinest made-up detail.
Marist students seem divided over Blair's appearance. Josh Crescenzi, a communications sophomore said that he welcomes Blair's visit.
"I think it would be interesting to hear what Jayson Blair has to say," said Crescenzi. "Perhaps Blair is just attempting to sell his book, but who knows for sure."
Sean Shortell, a sophomore political science major, said that Blair should not be able to publicize his lies at Marist. "I think it's great that Marist is attracting guest speakers, but Mr. Blair is known for what he did wrong," said Shortell.