Situation Definition:
Shattered Glass is about a young journalist named Stephen Glass who fabricated 27 of his 41 stories while working for the New Republic. Originally, Glass seemed like an uplifting figure, sharing the ins and outs of being a journalist with students, being a sociable and likeable peer and employee at work, and a dedicated journalist.
However, as the movie progressed it was clear that one of Glass’ stories was fabricated, and to make matters worse, he continued to back it up with several elaborate schemes and lies. Glass would eventually be outed as a fraud and his reputation as a journalist and person was tarnished. By examining the behavior of Glass and reflecting on his poor choices and ethical infractions I came across two issues that support Glass as ethically unfit, fabrication and immaturity or dishonesty. The several acts of fabrication in Glass’ pieces are highly unethical but the dishonesty he showed his coworkers and immaturity towards his boss were equally unethical.
Analysis:
Glass’ first unethical issue arises from his fabrication of his stories. Fabrication is the action creating something fiction or falsified, in terms of journalism fabrication pertains to making up their articles and having non-verified sources. Stephen Glass fabricated his stories for the sole purpose of entertainment. He wanted to create entertaining stories because that’s what people liked. In terms of ethics, these stories are fiction and created purely out of fascination and in attempt to reach the audience, not on fact-based reporting, which is what journalism is based on. Glass was working for a well reputable newspaper that prided themselves on producing compelling and authentic stories. Fabrication can have poor impacts on the reputation of both yourself and your colleagues. “It underscores the press’s centrality in American life, in particular the notion that self-regulation of the press works.” (Ehrlich, 2005)
In this situation, I recommend telling the truth, though the staff didn’t exactly have full support in their new editor, it isn’t an excuse to continue fabrication and then lie about it several times to your boss. Had Glass been honest, then perhaps this situation wouldn’t have blown up the way it ultimately did. But Glass has proven he only cared about what people thought of his work, he was willing to lie about stories to get the attention and approval he craved.
Glass’ second unethical issue is a result of his immaturity and dishonesty to his editor and co-workers. As evident from the reason he was writing his stories in the first place, Glass wanted positive attention and he wanted the approval of his peers. I think Glass blatantly lied to his colleagues because he wanted people on his side, he thought if enough people supported him, no one would catch onto his lies. Ethically speaking this was a huge breach of trust as he played these people for years as he wrote fabricated articles, begging them to review each and every one and then overreacted after every little mistake to make everyone feel bad for him. “I was deeply unsettled, like I’d woken up in the wrong room. I wondered whether Steve had lied to me about personal things, too.” (Rosin, 2014)
If I was a co-worker of Stephen Glass, I would be annoyed and feel disrespected. After analyzing the quotes its clear he was immature and always wanted attention. As his peer, I would’ve felt like a babysitter and all for nothing because Glass wasn’t a genuine person. However, there isn’t much I would be able to do from a responsibility standpoint, with the exception of a newfound chip on my shoulder and a better awareness to prevent it in the future.
Conclusion:
After analyzing Stephen Glass’ ethical infractions through Shattered Glass and examining sources and articles regarding these ethical offenses I have learned that it’s important to not cut corners and be a truthful person. Often times lying can progress and lead to big problems that can affect people’s careers and lives. I would resolve the dilemma by owning up to lying and attempting to make things right to all of those impacted by this fabrication. It’s easier to own up to your mistakes and try to move on and learn from them than bury them and try to run away from your problems. Glass saw the consequences first hand as he chose to hide from the truth and as a result his reputation was ruined, if he had been upfront he could’ve at least been able to do damage control.
References:
Ehrlich, M. C. (2005, April 1). Shattered Glass, Movies, and the Free Press Myth. Journal of Communication Inquiry. Retrieved September 20, 2018, from http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0196859904272741
Rosin, H. (2005, April 1). Hello, My Name is Stephen Glass, and I’m Sorry. The New Republic. Retrieved September 20, 2018, from http://ubc-emotionlab.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Stephen-Glass-NR-article-smaller.pdf