[quote]
The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday said it had fired an intern who it says fabricated sources and quotes just three weeks into the job.</p>
<p>The paper wrote that it had removed an article by the intern, Liane Membis, that was published on June 17 because “many of the names contained in the article about the re-opening of the 103rd Street Pedestrian Bridge in Manhattan were fabricated” and “the quotes couldn’t be independently verified.” The note concluded: “Ms. Membis is no longer working at The Wall Street Journal.”</p>
<p>[edit for length–quotes contributed by her were also removed from other articles; see source]</p>
<p>**Ms. Membis’s experience at The Journal could create problems for other publications. A graduate of Yale University, she contributed more than three dozen articles to the Yale Daily News. The paper’s editor, Max de la Bruy</p>
<p>So, did she pretend to go “on the street” and interview people to get their input, but instead sit in Starbucks drinking frappuccinos making people/quotes up? </p>
<p>Frankly, I’ve often wondered how often that sort of thing happens. I always love the “people are saying…” or “people are concerned about…” mentions in articles. The vague “people” are likely just the journalist’s opinions.</p>
<p>I’d guess that she’s been doing this for a while and it worked before so why not do it again?</p>
<p>She sounds like an accomplished and productive person from what was written about her - so she’s not perfect everywhere.</p>
<p>The NYT (Blair, Kouwe) and Boston Globe (Barnacle) had some cases like this but Barnacle was well-established, well-known and mostly well-liked by his readers so it happens with new and old alike.</p>
<p>I am assuming that the lady in the OP article will bounce back from this - maybe she has to go outside journalism though.</p>
<p>MM2K, I always scratch my head when I hear of frauds like this. Talented person makes a greiviously and morally flawed decision. Why are people so afraid to fail in this day and age? Especially when the circumstances don’t involve harm to life or limb? Is it laziness or immorality?</p>
<p>There is no reason this young woman had to worry about failure. All she had to do was to interview some real people. Her writing is very good. It’s just that it’s made up.</p>
<p>I’d have to go with lack of moral compass. But I would not go so far as to say it is a failing of people “in this day and age” more than in the past. We have always had those willing to play with the truth to get ahead without wanting to put in the work.</p>
<p>I’d love to know how she was found out. (It’s not as if the non-existent commenters could come forward and challenge their quotes.) You’d think some pre-publication fact-checking would be appropriate for an article by an intern with only three weeks on the job, regardless of her credentials. I’m amazed she was able to contribute to five pieces in that short a time without anyone vetting her work</p>
<p>It sounds like they tried to verify her quotes…and couldn’t find the John or Jane Does that she was quoting. It’s one thing to not be able to locate one person, but if they couldn’t locate ANY, that may have been what tripped her up. </p>
<p>She sounds like an accomplished and productive person from what was written about her - so she’s not perfect everywhere.</p>
<p>I’m sorry, but I find that just funny.</p>
<p>Laziness or immorality?</p>
<p>I’d say definitely laziness with a lack of morality.</p>