The Morningside Post, a news and opinion website covering Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, published a story of a girl who was robbed on her way to stats class and then subsequently pleaded with her assailants to take anything, just not her homework. The only problem: the story is completely fictitious. So much for journalistic integrity and standards. Gawker picked up the story, and despite questioning its validity, linked to the article as if it were fact. The Morningside Post’s editors have now added a note at the top of the article to provide some damage control, but they still remain cheeky regarding the matter: “We thought we’d have a little bit of fun with this one.” Yikes. As for Gawker, stick to covering Northwestern. Our stories are not only ridiculous, they’re true.
[Gawker]
On that last point, the Flipside begs to differ.