Friday, May 27, 2016

This isn't the news

Unlike the Sun, for instance, the Guardian is no stranger to sheepish apologies, though these are usually for unfortunate but minor typos rather for publishing a number of articles containing unsubstantiated facts and fabricated interviews. Presumably the freelancer in question, Joseph Mayton, saw Shattered Glass and the fifth and final season of The Wire but saw both as inspirational rather than cautionary tales.

It's embarrassing to have been duped, and the paper has taken down or edited the offending pieces and promised to review and tighten its procedures when taking on freelancers - but it does go to show how much comes down to the simple matter of trust.

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