Lies

Kevin sent over this article about the recently discredited USA Today reporter, Jack Kelley — the latest in a string of journalists who’ve been exposed as liars, fabulists, purveyors of fiction in the name of fact. And, as Kevin points out, if you’ve been around journalism as long as we have, you remember Janet Cooke, who surrendered her Pulitzer when it was discovered that she made up most of her winning series of articles.

What makes Jack Kelley different is that his lies created stereotypes that fed people’s worst suspicions about their fellow human beings. And he did it in the name of Christ. Here’s an excerpt from the article (you’ll have to get a Salon day pass to read the whole thing):

As it turned out, Jack Kelley's forgeries fit snugly into the preexisting grooves of people all over the world looking for coverage of evil Jews, or cute Muslim boys who turn out to be devils.

Kelley was recently listed on the faculty of the World Journalism Institute, which trains Christians to be journalists. Its purpose: "The need to be faithful to the Christian example of accurately reporting (e.g., being reliable eyewitnesses) the work of God in today's world." And he's said of his work: "I feel God's pleasure when I write and report. It isn't because of the glory, but because God has called me to proclaim truth, and to worship him and serve through other people."

Kelley didn’t just bring shame on his profession — a profession where hard-working and mostly underpaid reporters strive to stay true to their ethical standard, even at great cost to themselves. Kelley brought shame to the Lord he claims to follow, and he brings scorn to the concept of truth. With reporters like him, is it any wonder non-believers question the written accounts of eyewitnesses such as Matthew, Mark, Luke and John?