presentation at Seattle, 2012

1. W h a t is p la g ia r is m ?
Candace Perkins Bowen
Kent State University
JEA/NSPA, Spring 12

2. F ir s t , s o m e
d e f in it io n s
 “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

3.  “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

4. L e v e ls o f
p la g ia r is m :
D o e s o n e s iz e f it a ll?
 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

5. Is t h is a b ig
p Penn b l esupplies students and faculty

r o State m ?
with Plagiarism Prevention Resources
 Plagiarism Tutorials for Students Student
tutorial on plagiarism, inappropriate
paraphrase, citations and academic honesty
 Plagiarism Detection and Prevention: An Instructor
Instructor guide to strategies for detecting
and preventing plagiarism in the classroom
 Plagiarism Links Links to plagiarism policy
pages, guides, quizzes, citation guidelines,
basic copyright
http://www.tlt.psu.edu/plagiarism

6. H ig h e r s t a n d a r d
f o r m e d ia ?
 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

7. W h a t d o jo u r n a lis t s
s a y?
 Two things have changed when it comes to
new media technologies and plagiarism:
Plagiarism is much easier to commit. And
plagiarism is much easier to detect. I believe
that all news organization should randomly
filter the stories of staffers through the
plagiarism detection software. Kind of like
urine tests for texts. .
Is Plagiarism More Likely in the Internet Age?
Roy Peter Clark Talks About
How to Avoid Plagiarism in an Online World
By Tony Rogers, About.com Guide

8. W h a t a b o u t c o lle g e
m e d ia ?
Plagiarism
When you plagiarize, you violate two of the most important
standards we uphold as journalists: honesty and accuracy. This
document is to help you understand the Cronkite School’s
standard on plagiarism and what is expected of you as a Cronkite
student.
Plagiarism consists of using someone else’s words, phrases,
sentences or ideas without giving credit. This is true whether you
do it intentionally or inadvertently.
Students most often get into trouble when they cut and paste
information from the Internet. There are two main ways to avoid
this and other kinds of plagiarism:
– Quote and attribute. Use the exact words in quotation marks and include
who said it or wrote it.
– Paraphrase and attribute: Use your own words, but still include who said it
or wrote it.
ASU
Walter Cronkite School of JMC

9. Wha t a b o ut the
pros ?
Jerry Ceppos, former vice president for news
of Knight Ridder and now dean at LSU:
– 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

10.  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

11. ‘You can quote me on that….’
 Advice on attribution for journalists, by
Steve Buttry, Oct. 31, 2011
– MiddletownPress.com article from Patch
 “Attribution is one of journalism’s most
serious issues. Plagiarism is
inexcusable.”
– “How do you know that? Attribution is a key
ingredient in any story’s credibility.”

12. “When should we attribute?
 Attribute any time that attribution strengthens
the credibility of a story.
 Attribute any time you are using someone
else’s words.
 Attribute when you are reporting information
gathered by other journalists.
 Attribute when you are not certain of facts.
 Attribute statements of opinion.
 When you wonder whether you should attribute,
you probably should attribute in some fashion.”
Steve Buttry
‘You can quote me on that….’

13. W h a t c a n YO U d o
a b o u t it ?
 Make expectations clear to staffers
 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
http://www.slideshare.net/candaceperkinsbowen/plagiarism-jea12