We’re Introductory Journalism students at Kean University in Union, New Jersey.
Now that we’ve learned the logistics of journalism, we’ve launched into the real deal. Our blog is all ours. We’ll bring you newsworthy topics of interest to college students in New Jersey.
So we’ve planted this journalistic seed — help it to grow. Give us a read. And we want your feedback. Post thoughts in the comments below.
By Sibel Yilmaz
World renowned businessman, Henry Kravis, once said, “If you don’t have integrity, you have nothing. You can’t buy it. You can have all the money in the world, but if you are not a moral and ethical person, you really have nothing.”
Ex-journalist, Stephen Glass, was once America’s most promising journalists as his articles were featured on The New Republic, Rolling Stone, and George. However, things went haywire when Stephen’s shiny glass shattered in a million pieces as an editor from the Forbes Digital Tool discovered that most of his articles were fabricated. As a result, Glass instantly became blacklisted from the world of journalism and was painted as a complete disgrace for his lack of morals and dishonestly towards his pieces.
Stephen Glass then took a complete 180 turn on his career and went on to earn a law degree at Georgetown University Law Center. Although Glass endeavor to come out with a fresh start with a new career, his past still followed him wherever he went. He struggled to become a licensed attorney in both New York and California as both states decided he was morally unfit to become a lawyer due to his plagiarisms in the past.
This raises a questions in our heads: is this punishment too harsh? Yes, everyone is allowed to make mistakes in their life and learn from them. However, I personally do not think this punishment is harsh at all. Stephen Glass was one of the top journalists that young writers hoped and aspired to be one day. And in the world of journalism, plagiarism and fabrication are deeply frowned upon.
In an interview, Stephen Gillers, a law professor at New York University, said in an interview, “The question is, Are we prepared to say as lawyers that a man who is no longer considered moral enough to be a journalist is moral enough to be a lawyer? If people flame out in journalism because of dishonesty, is the law open to them? I think the answer is no.”
Personally, I would not want a lawyer to defend me with such a bad reputation like Stephen Glass’. In the court of law, honesty is an absolute must, and I feel as though Mr. Glass is clearly not fit for that role.
By: Kelly Contreras
The art of journalism provides people with several different kinds of articles with one thing in common; the truth. Stephen Glass, 45, an ex-journalist who had his right to professionally publish his writings were taken away. According to the New York Times, Glass became well known in his mid-20s for his larger-than-life features in The New Republic, George and Rolling Stone. It was 1988 when it was discovered that his articles provided false information, if not completely fabricated stories.
Glass quickly became notorious for his actions, he could never be a writer again. Not only that but he has recently been denied to practice law as well; due to his crimes. It was ruled by the California Supreme Court that Glass “does not have the moral character critical to the practice of law.”
The main news articles referring to Glass were in regards to his payments to any places he has published any false or fabricated articles. It has been argued whether it is fair or not for Glass to be denied his right to not only publishing articles but that he cannot even work as a lawyer.
The Times article also stated that Glass has sent a letter of apology to the publisher of Harper’s, John R. MacArthur, and requested if he could vouch for him as a “candidate for admission to the California bar” but it was denied.
But, how credible can a deceitful ex-journalist really be? Personally, I would not like to be defended by a man who does not hesitate to create his own story which could possibly backfire on my behalf. Even if he is intellectual and experienced.
Not only will it be a personal concern, but let’s think about how the opposing team would use Glass’s history against him. In several cases today, people tend to bring up past information which will only give the jury probably cause to doubt any of Glass’s arguments.
If anything, rejecting Glass’s right to practice law would be beneficial to him. Even if it may be disappointing. It is still a punishment but on the positive side, they are saving Glass from possible embarrassment. He is not credible. Especially after lying to his Editor at The New Republic and dragging on his lie to the extent of creating a phony website and telephone number for “Jukt Micronics.”
Glass was well aware of the wrongs he did. He clearly regrets what has been done, but if he did not get caught, would he still be publishing fabricated stories?
by Joe San Agustin
Stephen Glass, 15 years after getting fired from the New Republic due to countless amounts of fabricated stories, has recently been banned from practicing law in the state of California due to not having “the moral character critical to the practice of law,” so reports the New York Times.
For 10 years since graduating from Georgetown Law School,Glass has been trying to practice law. However, after a court hearing, he was no longer allowed to practice law, most likely due to his fabrications in the past, and the judged ruled him as not having a strong moral character.
Also, according to the Chronicle, Glass had “repaid $200,000 to the New Republic and other magazines that published his work.” Which, in itself, is probably a good thing.
So, Glass’s shattered reputation has been put on the back burner ever since. He now works at a law firm in Iowa (except he doesn’t practice law), according to an article from the Des Moines Register. The article cites another article stating, “Glass spoke about his work in a 2014 article by journalist Hanna Rosin, explaining that he develops relationships with clients to better understand their life circumstances and stories. The work helps attorneys better prepare for trials and anticipate issues that might come up during litigation, he told Rosin.”
Now, I honestly don’t care. While the news about him working in Iowa was from an article from 2017 and him repaying $200,000 to everyone was from 2016, the court hearing denying him from practicing law was from 2014. While it was a few years ago, it still sounds like old news to me. Cool, he’s not allowed to practice law. Good. I wouldn’t want him as my lawyer anyway after what he did to his journalism career. He knew exactly what he was doing when he fibbed those stories, and for what reason? No one really knows. Imagine the things he could do as a lawyer. Probably nothing different from other terrible lawyers, but it’s still a good thing he’s not a lawyer.
Despite this, the article that the Des Moines article did have a part in the interview that did say that he was trying to look for forgiveness after all of this.
“It’s not manipulation; it’s caring,” Glass said. “I don’t coach the clients; I help them discover their story. … It makes me anxious to do this. But I work from facts that are indisputably true. Maybe the anxiety comes from being afraid to be accused of lying again.”
So maybe he’s looking for redemption, but Glass’s shattered reputation is still Shattered Glass (wink, wink), so it’s going to take him a long time to pick up those broken pieces.
By:Jovan Patterson
This man Steven Glass worked so hard to become what he was. He went to law school to become a lawyer and to know that it was shut down is a total shame, so lets give a sarcastic applause to the California Supreme Court for crushing down a mans dream. Yes it is understandable that he had a disgraceful career of being a journalist, but nobody is perfect. The Chronicle had every right to fire him because of what he did, even though he made apologies for what he did. He sent money to people for what he did is that not enough? I am pretty sure that the money that he gave is just enough as a punishment.
I realized that he always asked his boss if he was in trouble just knowing that he had this type of attitude made it seem that he is having difficulties as a worker at the Chronicle. He seemed like he had a personality difficulties as a journalist. His ego was like he had a narcissistic personality which made him look very needy. He did his best in what he did,I would give him the benefit of the doubt another chance to make him a journalist I would do it in a heartbeat. With a man like this his talents could be used for more creative news script writing or anything in writing as another journalist would do him well. As an American man he should have the right to become a lawyer because he is older, he is more wiser now Im not completely sure but I know he is ready to do better. With all that happened to him he seems to be ready to turn his life around. He always made deadlines , and he was always involved at the Chronicle.This type of punishment is very harsh he is trying to make a career from what he fell back on. This man was great he has a movie about him. Chances should be given to people who make mistakes because they learn from it. This man has made his apology the fabricated work on the magazines was very wrong but he has the ability to entertain the audience. He is more of a creative writer. All of those fabricated magazines were very entertaining, as well as useful to the Chronicle.
By: Dan Papa
Stephen Glass was a young journalist that worked for The New Republic. Apparently, Mr. Glass had never heard of the phrase, “Journalistic Integrity.” In his time spent working there, he had actually managed to fabricate either some of or completely all of almost fifty stories he had written. As a journalist, it is your duty to report honestly and accurately on the stories you write about. Why Glass chose to wrap himself up in this web of lies, I will never understand. Over the years, he has paid off journalistic companies for many of his outlandish claims he has made in his previously submitted work.
Did the punishment fit the crime? Absolutely. Millions of people around the world flock to their favorite news sources to learn new information about what is going on in the world these days. The New Republic was a very popular and credible news source at one point. Cue Stephen Glass coming in and mucking up the works with his lies. He caused damage to the reputation to both the company and himself for future endeavors. Glass had actually studied law in school and managed to pass the bar exam. However, when he actually applied to become a lawyer, the Supreme Court rejected his application. These days, Glass works at a law office, but not as an attorney because well, he is simply not allowed. As an apology to the journalistic companies Glass submitted fabricated work to, he repaid hundreds of thousands of dollars that he had received from the companies at the time of writing the works.
Stephen Glass should never be able to practice law. He has demonstrated an almost complete inability to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth and therein lies the problem. Based on his past reputation, he simply can not be trusted.
By: Aaron Brown
All children were told to never tell a lie, well apparently Stephen Glass missed that lesson. “I lied to the staff of Harper’s,” is what Glass stated in his published letter in 1998. Glass was accused of fabricating 27 out of 41 stories, that he wrote as a journalist for New Public Magazine. Now Glass wants to move on with his life but others beg to differ. Glass told over a dozen of lies but that shouldn’t be the end for him.
Glass has done things in the past, but now is looking towards what could be a bright future. According to the New York Times, in 2014, A California Supreme Court judge, stated that Glass “does not have the moral character critical to the practice of law.” Even though Glass graduated from Georgetown Law School in 2000, and passed the bar exams in both New York and California. This judge is basing his thoughts on Glass’s past and critiquing him for the future.
Glass wants to become a lawyer, which should not be a problem. His past problems should not affect his future. In fact, there are lawyers that lie to keep their clients out of jail. Glass has tried to clear his name with past companies. In 2015, The New York Times reported that Glass sent Harper’s Magazine a check for $10,000. A year later, he sent The Chronicle, a check for $20,000.
Some may feel that “once a liar, always a liar,” however in the minds of defense attorney’s a lie may be the way to get someone out of trouble or put someone in trouble. Glass could make a great defensive attorney. They are required to still defend a client even if they know that they are guilty. For those that feel that this punishment on Glass is minor, should ask themselves, have they ever done anything wrong and needed forgiveness to move forward in life.
Glass has asked people too speak on his behalf, and they have refused. Since 1998, Glass has had to go through many different obstacles, to clear his name from the bottom of the journalist pile, and still hasn’t achieved that status. He is now equipped educationally to become a lawyer, and is being denied for past mishaps. Glass, like everyone else deserves a second chance in a new career. But like the good story, “The Boy That Cried Wolf,” once you lie once, its hard to gain trust back. Glass probably wishes that he had that lesson growing up, to never tell a lie.
By: Anais Canela
“I wanted them to love the story so they would love me,” words by Stephen Glass in a 2003 interview with 60 minutes. The 45 year old disgraced journalist, was ruled against being able to practice law after 10 years.
In January 2014, the California Supreme Court stated Glass, “does not have the moral character critical to the practice of law.” According to The New York Times, Glass sent a letter of apology to the publisher of Harper and asked John R. MacArthur to vouch for him as a “candidate for admission to the California bar.” His request was declined.
All injustices have consequences, and like everyone else who has lied, Glass must pay the consequences. Stephen Glass can’t be a lawyer. It is unethical for Glass to have the power to the defend the law of his client, if he wasn’t able to abide by the law himself.
Although it may be argued Glass has been remorseful and should be given a second chance, he already received a second chance by even being allowed to walk the streets freely. When a teacher is found guilty for sexual misconduct with an underage student they are sentenced to prison, their teaching certificate is stripped away,and they are not allowed to teach again.
Unfortunately for Glass, his need for love by his readers cost him his career and his credibility. There isn’t a price for credibility although Glass sent Harper’s magazine a check for $10,000 which was “repayment for a discredited article he had published there in 1998.” I’m sure their was great appreciation for his acknowledgment in his own wrong doing, but you can’t repair shattered glass.
He didn’t just fabricate stories and lie to his friends and family, he lied to the whole nation.
Stephen Glass allowed the country to fall in love with him and his words.
