What is plagiarism?

First, some definitions “The act of passing off as one’s own the ideas or writings of another.” Appendix to the Honor Council pamphlet, “Acknowledging the Work of Others,” Georgetown University “… Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, the knowing or intentional failure to attribute language or ideas to their original source, in the manner required by the academic discipline (such as … footnote citations …) or in the manner required by journalism practice (such as by quotation marks and attribution in a journalistic presentation)…” Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University, Policy of Academic Integrity

“The unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one’s own original work.” The Random House Dictionary

Levels of plagiarism: Does one size fit all? Turning in someone else’s work as yours Leaving out quotation marks for a quote Not indicating the source of information Changing words but leaving the structure the same Copying so much of the idea it is no longer the writer’s work

Is this a big problem? Four out of five college-bound high school students admitted to cheating on schoolwork. Who’s Who Among High School Students 1998 survey of more that 3,000 Ten percent of college students admitted to “cut and paste” plagiarism in 1999 and 40 percent in Center for Academic Integrity, 2002 survey of 50,000 undergraduates on 60 campuses

Higher standard for media? Seek Truth and Report It Journalists should be honest, fair and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information. Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics Professional electronic journalists should operate as trustees of the public, seek the truth, report it fairly and with integrity and independence, and stand accountable for their actions. Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, Radio-Television News Directors Association

What about the pros? Jerry Ceppos, former vice president for news of Knight Ridder: – Every American newspaper has a problem with plagiarism. – American journalism schools give ethics instruction short shrift. (Hynes study: Only half have an ethics course.) – Knight Ridder has a virtually zero-tolerance rule. “We decided -- and this happened at the highest levels -- that when someone is fired because of plagiarism, when a reference check comes in … we will say, “the guy was fired for plagiarism.” Interview with John McManus, GradeTheNews.com, Jan. 13, 2006

Grand Forks (N.D.) Herald – Plagiarism is one of journalism’s unforgivable sins — and, at this newspaper, a dismissible offense. Material taken from other newspapers and other media must be attributed. San Jose (Calif.) Mercury News – Plagiarism exists in many forms, from the wholesale lifting of someone else’s writing to the publication of a press release as news without attribution. The daily newspaper should be an original work. Do not borrow someone else’s words without attribution. Sioux Falls (S.D.) Leader – Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Beaumont (Texas) Enterprise – Plagiarism is the act of lifting the words and work of others and representing it as one’s own. It will be a firing offense at The Enterprise. Compiled by the Society of Professional Journalists

What can YOU do about it? Make expectations clear Use a high-tech method to combat? (i.e. Turnitin.com) Have clear consequences/policy – F on article? – F for the course? – Kicked off staff? Suspended temporarily? – Write and publish an apology