Jayson Blair Apologizes, but for Many It Rings Hollow |
Written by {{Janell J. Lewis - Black College Wire}} | ||
Thursday, 23 September 2004 | ||
Jayson Blair, the fast-track New York Times reporter who resigned in disgrace after editors discovered that he had plagiarized and fabricated stories, told an audience of aspiring journalists at Winston-Salem State University that he owed them a debt. "As an African American and former journalist, I owe you all an apology," Blair said. But then, he added that he did not believe his actions had ruined the credibility of journalists, white or black. "Only a racist would judge an entire race by one man," he said. Blair%92s apology rang hollow for some students at the North Carolina school, who had come Sept. 15 hoping that he would shed more light on his motivations. Instead, he talked about having bipolar affective disorder, a mental condition also known as manic-depressive illness. Longtime broadcast journalist Jane Pauley recently acknowledged that she, too, suffers from the disorder, which causes dramatic mood swings and reportedly affects about 2 million people in the U.S. However, no medical link has been established to suggest that the condition necessarily leads to falsifying information and other unethical acts, a point that Blair did not address during his talk. "I appreciate the efforts of the School of Health and Sciences here at Winston-Salem State University," said Blair, who said he was diagnosed with the disorder within a year after the scandal. He added that he accepted responsibility for his actions and stressed that it was not pressure from %93higher-ups, drugs or alcohol%94 that prompted him to fabricate and plagiarize, although he acknowledged that he used drugs and alcohol as a form of self-medication. Instead, he said these factors combined to just make %93the wrong path much more attractive.%94 Blair%92s appearance at Winston-Salem State was arranged by Dr. Brian Blount, chairman of the Department of Mass Communications. "He represents the painful, dishonorable part of the journalism industry," Blount said. %93It is much larger than Jayson Blair.%94 The university paid Blair $3,000 for his appearance. Of that, $1,000 is to go to a mental health organization. Sociology major Marty Hogan said he expected Blair to show more remorse. "I believe, to some extent, he does regret what he was doing," he said. Diedra Lindsey, a freshman, said, %93When I heard the story about Jayson Blair and what he had done, I began to have doubts about the media as a whole. Some articles I didn%92t believe, [especially] in some . . . music magazines and, of course, tabloids and gossip magazines. But newspapers are the source for factual information, so basically, he messed that up for me.%94 She added that she didn%92t like Blair%92s lecture very much because he did not focus on what he had done. %93I also think he used his illness and his use of drugs as an excuse for his wrongdoing, even though he said they weren%92t [the reasons]. He is only apologizing because his actions became the front-page news story,%94 she said. Although he no longer works for a newspaper, Blair said he still loves writing and described journalism as a %93calling. Don%92t lose sight of that,%94 he said. "I loved and still love journalism," Blair said. "It provides the opportunity to serve." Because he is so proficient at fabricating the truth, Blair said he has considered writing fiction, but that he realizes there are some skills that even he does not yet possess to perfect that craft. So for now, he is publicizing his book, %93Burning Down My Master's House: My Life at the New York Times,%94 which he said he wrote to counteract any notions that affirmative action had anything to do with his hiring at the Times. %93I would have never been hired if I were not up to par,%94 he said. Blair is also earning money from speaking engagements like the one at Winston-Salem State, and he said he%92s even been approached about a movie deal. "It's about the now,%94 he said. %93It's about this moment." Posted Sept. 24, 2004 |
< Prev | Next > |
---|