Los Angeles Times Fires Writer for 'substandard' Reporting

The Associated Press ^ | Apr 19, 2005 | Anon

[Pharmboy]

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The Los Angeles Times dismissed a reporter after an investigation found that his story about the death of a fraternity pledge at a state university "fell far short" of standards, the newspaper said Tuesday. An editor's note in the Times said the March 29 story by Eric Slater had numerous inaccuracies and carried quotations from two named and other unnamed sources that could not be verified. Among the errors, the paper said the story erroneously reported that the victim was alone at the time of his death.

"Beyond the specific errors, the newspaper's inquiry found that the methods used in reporting the story were substandard," the editor's note said. "The article fell far short of Times standards."

The 1,400-word report centered on partying at California State University, Chico, and student Matthew Carrington, 21, who died after allegedly being forced to drink gallons of water in a fraternity hazing ritual.

The Times outlined flaws in the story in a March 31 correction that said the story mistakenly said a pledge to a fraternity at nearby Butte Community College died of alcohol poisoning. He did not die but was hospitalized. Among other problems, the story quoted university President Paul Zingg, but he did not speak with the newspaper, the correction said.

Slater told The Associated Press on Tuesday that he has never made up a source and can verify the people he talked to for the fraternity story.

"I will release any and all versions of the story and provide any documentation," Slater said. "The story I tell will be considerably different than the one the Los Angeles Times tells."

Slater joined the Times in 1994 and formerly served as the paper's Chicago bureau chief. He shared an Overseas Press Club award for reporting on the U.S. intervention in Afghanistan.

[Pharmboy]

This is standard, not "substandard."

[USMC Veteran]

The Los Angeles Times dismissed a reporter after an investigation found that his story about the death of a fraternity pledge at a state university "fell far short" of standards,

That's what happens when you tell the truth. The LAT fires you.

[Half Vast Conspiracy]

Amen. Inaccuracies are the news print standard. The only thing that routinely get right are the sports scores--because they really are important.

[swilhelm73]

Yet *another* case of the MSM getting caught engaged in shoddy journalism.

I understand the MSM is the weapon of choice of the Left, but the incompetent way they wield it is frankly insulting.

[martin_fierro]

Eric's got pictures online:

(she's got MAN HANDS, baby!)

[Pharmboy]

I wonder how they found out he was full of it? The blogosphere?

[Paul Atreides]

"fell far short" of standards,

In other words, he didn't blame Bush in the article.

[Pharmboy]

Those hands ARE pretty big...I bet she buys her gloves in the men's department. She also prolly wears a size 11 shoe...

[Ole Okie]

The Los Angeles Times dismissed a reporter after an investigation found that his story about the death of a fraternity pledge at a state university "fell far short" of standards, the newspaper said

Slater failed to blame Bush for it all.

Irredeemable error.

[ReadyNow]

Who is lying here, the reporter or the newspaper? Usually guys like this lie in concert, rather than against one another. Cool.

[Hank Rearden]

She'll never win the Manhands Olympics, though. Too much competition:

[Ciexyz]

btt

[CFC__VRWC]

I'm assuming he was one of the Times' token "conservatives" - if he had been a liberal, he'd have gotten a raise and a larger office.

[Intolerant in NJ]

Los Angeles Times Fires Writer for 'substandard' Reporting...how would they know the difference?....

[Moorings]

I wonder if this is a propaganda piece to let everybody know that they do indeed have standards. Otherwise why should somebody getting fired for a small time article make the news.

[LibertarianInExile]

Error in headline, should have been:

Los Angeles Times Fires All Its Writers for 'substandard' Reporting

Okay, maybe that's just wishful thinking.

[longtermmemmory]

pot calling the kettle black.

[AnnaZ]

Interesting.... because of all the writers at Al Jazeera West, this is one of the few that I know personally. I did a quick interview with him during the recall hoopla at a McClintock rally that ended up being a part of a very balanced front-page McClintock article.

I'm popping corn for this one.

P.S. "Substandard"? HAHAHAHAHA!

[RichInOC]

Question for my fellow Southern Californians: How do you get fired from the Times for sloppy reporting? That's like getting fired from King-Drew for malpractice. In both cases, you have to be hideously bad for that to happen.

[Joe Boucher]

If the L.S. Times was worried about standards they would have to fire nearly every writer they have on staff.
A bunch of anti Christian anti United States anti Republican
shills for the democrat and gay agenda.