The New York Times has posted their investigation into Jayson Blair's reporting and concludes "The widespread fabrication and plagiarism represent a profound betrayal of trust and a low point in the 152-year history of the newspaper." Blair resigned after his deceptions came to light. There is much on the story at Romenesko.

While some (such as Slate blogger Mickey Kaus have been quick to blame affirmative action, they seem to forget that white guys fuck up too. Stephen Glass is back in the news with a novel based on his experience fictionalizing magazine stories and a movie. Newsweek has a story and Kurtz has one in the Washington Post. He'll also be on 60 Minutes Sunday.

The Times is to be admired for conducting such an extensive investigation (which I'll wait to read completely until I get it in Sunday's paper) though they should have investigated his mistakes and deceptions thoroughly earlier. There were many warning signs as the story notes:

His mistakes became so routine, his behavior so unprofessional, that by April 2002, Jonathan Landman, the metropolitan editor, dashed off a two-sentence e-mail message to newsroom administrators that read: "We have to stop Jayson from writing for the Times. Right now."

After taking a leave for personal problems and being sternly warned, both orally and in writing, that his job was in peril, Mr. Blair improved his performance. By last October, the newspaper's top two editors — who said they believed that Mr. Blair had turned his life and work around — had guided him to the understaffed national desk...

"The Times is asking readers to report any additional falsehoods in Mr. Blair's work; the e-mail address is retrace@nytimes.com."

Jack Shafer wrote about Blair, Glass and his own experience with Jay Forman.

The major lesson to be learned from this is that all media should be looked at critically (as should any deregulation of media ownership that might push the quest for profits over journalism even further).