If I was a newspaper editor, I would have a fine line with a lying journalist. It's just not going to happen. If it was a small misquote or a mistake that was clearly innocent, I could be forgiving. It would be a firm warning that my paper is honest and that I don't want to see this kind of tempering with the truth. It's strict, it's humane, and hopefully it would keep a fabulous reputation for our paper.
Stephen Glass, however, makes me sick. My forgiveness ends far before an employee knows they have slipped miles from the truth and are now stressing to cover up their tracks. Stephen Glass' lying is insulting!
Below I have included his interview with CNN in 2003. If you want to see how easily it is for Glass to ignore any emotion for what he did, watch the video. It is cringe worthy. Every time he goes to explain the process of his lies, it is as if he is reporting on his own actions. I do not see any emotion of regret or sorry for what he did. In fact, two minutes into the interview he decides to promote his new book on why journalists lie. Really? The guy is now earning money off a movie and book on the lies he gave to all of us without hesitation. In the interview, it constantly feels like he wants to turn on his former self like it's a different person, analyzing a man that is a complete mystery to the "now perfect" Stephen Glass. He still wears a mask. I fear he may never take it off. The true face of Stephen Glass smiles devilishly behind that mask as he earns money on the media of his own giant lies. A con artist is looking like a better way to describe this pathological liar. I hope his book tanked.
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