Here's a cautionary tale for everyone. As newspapers look to the web as their salvation, encouraging staffers to blog and file online-only content on topics both within their purview and without, how much direction are ink stained wretches getting from management. I wonder how many veteran ISWs truly understand that the same journalistic standards apply to blogs on newpaper websites as apply to their copy in the hand-held edition. Meanwhile, we chase "news" stories that surface as unfounded rumors in fan blogs.
Anyway, a pal heard about this termination in San Antonio and I checked it out. It is worth mentioning here as a warning to all in a time of buyouts and layoffs. Don't give 'em an excuse to cut payroll. Here is a piece from the Express-News Ombudsman blog. (If the poor sap in question had just put in a line like the preceding sentence, his 27-plus years on staff would not be over.)
Longtime Express-News sports staffer Harry Page was terminated Wednesday after editors confirmed he had plagiarized from other primary reporting sources at least five items from his bowling blog during the month of October.
The termination is effective immediately. Page's blog was removed from the MySA.com website Nov. 1. Page had worked in the Express-News Sports Department since April 19, 1970.
"It's a sad day when a newsroom colleague with so many, many years working at the Express-News has to leave under such a cloud, but the only way to deal with a plagiarist is with zero tolerance and an apology to readers," Express-News Editor Robert Rivard said.
Anyway, a pal heard about this termination in San Antonio and I checked it out. It is worth mentioning here as a warning to all in a time of buyouts and layoffs. Don't give 'em an excuse to cut payroll. Here is a piece from the Express-News Ombudsman blog. (If the poor sap in question had just put in a line like the preceding sentence, his 27-plus years on staff would not be over.)
Longtime Express-News sports staffer Harry Page was terminated Wednesday after editors confirmed he had plagiarized from other primary reporting sources at least five items from his bowling blog during the month of October.
The termination is effective immediately. Page's blog was removed from the MySA.com website Nov. 1. Page had worked in the Express-News Sports Department since April 19, 1970.
"It's a sad day when a newsroom colleague with so many, many years working at the Express-News has to leave under such a cloud, but the only way to deal with a plagiarist is with zero tolerance and an apology to readers," Express-News Editor Robert Rivard said.
