Byline Blunders
From Pulitzer-winning frauds to network anchors caught in lies, the world of journalism has seen its share of shocking scandals. Dive into the stories behind the headlines, where reporters became the reported. Explore the fall from grace of media's biggest names and the ripple effects that shook the foundations of trust in news.
Bill O'Reilly: Fox News' $32 Million Problem Highlights Network's Costly Misconduct Settlement
Uncover the shocking $32 million sexual harassment settlement paid by former Fox News host Bill O'Reilly in 2017. Learn how this record-breaking case exposed Fox News' costly misconduct issues and sparked industry-wide discussions on workplace harassment in media.
Lara Logan: 60 Minutes' Benghazi Blunder Shakes CBS News Credibility
Explore the 2013 CBS News crisis sparked by Lara Logan's flawed '60 Minutes' Benghazi report. Learn how factual errors and a discredited source led to Logan's suspension and damaged the credibility of one of TV's most respected news programs.
Matt Lauer: NBC's $40 Million Man Toppled by #MeToo
Explore the shocking fall of Matt Lauer, NBC's highest-paid news anchor, amid sexual misconduct allegations in 2017. Discover how the #MeToo movement brought down this TV icon, reshaping workplace culture in media and beyond.
Jimmy Breslin: When a Legendary Columnist's Words Backfired
Explore the career of Jimmy Breslin, the iconic New York columnist known for his gritty storytelling and sharp wit. Learn about the controversial article that sparked outrage, tarnishing his legendary status and highlighting the fine line between provocative journalism and offensive content.
Geraldo Rivera: Sensationalism's Poster Child
Explore Geraldo Rivera's polarizing career in journalism, from provocative reporting to his infamous talk show. Discover how his penchant for sensationalism and theatrical presentation shaped his image, making him both a household name and a controversial figure in American media.
Brian Williams: When Embellishment Costs Credibility
Explore the downfall of Brian Williams, the NBC News anchor who lost credibility after admitting to embellishing his Iraq War experiences. Discover how this cautionary tale of journalistic integrity led to his suspension in 2015, reshaping discussions on truth and trust in news media.
Janet Cooke: The Pulitzer Prize That Had to Be Returned
Uncover the shocking story of Janet Cooke, the Washington Post reporter who returned her Pulitzer Prize after her winning story was exposed as fiction. Learn how her fabricated tale of an 8-year-old heroin addict shook the journalism world in 1981, raising critical questions about fact-checking and editorial oversight.
Charlie Rose: The Fall of CBS's Longtime Interviewer
Explore the shocking fall of Charlie Rose, the renowned CBS and PBS anchor, amid sexual harassment allegations in 2017. Discover how multiple accusations led to the swift dismissal of this journalistic icon, ending decades of acclaimed interviews and reshaping the landscape of American broadcasting.
Stephen Glass: The Fabricator Who Shook The New Republic
Delve into the shocking story of Stephen Glass, the young journalist who fabricated numerous articles for The New Republic. Learn how his elaborate deceptions were exposed in 1998, rocking the journalism world and raising critical questions about fact-checking and editorial oversight in media.
Jayson Blair: The New York Times' Plagiarism Nightmare Shakes Journalism's Core
Explore the shocking Jayson Blair plagiarism scandal that shook The New York Times in 2003. Discover how Blair's extensive journalistic fraud, including plagiarism and fabrication, sparked a national debate on media integrity and forced one of America's most respected newspapers to confront a major credibility crisis.
Judith Miller: The Reporter at the Center of the Valerie Plame Affair
Explore the controversial role of journalist Judith Miller in the Valerie Plame CIA leak scandal. Discover how her refusal to reveal sources led to 85 days in jail, igniting debates on journalistic ethics, press freedom, and the collision between media and national security interests.
Clare Rewcastle Brown: The Journalist Who Exposed Malaysia's 1MDB Scandal
Discover how British journalist Clare Rewcastle Brown uncovered Malaysia's massive 1MDB corruption scandal. Learn about her relentless investigation through Sarawak Report, exposing billions in misappropriated funds and implicating high-ranking officials, including former PM Najib Razak.
Ida Tarbell: How America's Original Muckraker Became the Story
Discover the story of Ida Tarbell, America's original muckraker and pioneering investigative journalist. Learn how this Progressive Era icon's exposés of corporate monopolies, particularly Standard Oil, revolutionized journalism and paved the way for modern corporate accountability.
Dan Rather's Fall: The Bush Controversy That Ended a Career
Explore the controversial 2004 report that ended Dan Rather's CBS News career. Learn how questionable documents about President George W. Bush's military service led to a media firestorm, resulting in Rather's departure from the network after decades as a respected anchor.
Jake Tapper: From Reporting Scandals to Becoming a Political Lightning Rod
Explore Jake Tapper's journey from reporter to CNN's chief Washington correspondent. Discover how his tough interviews and fact-checking have made him a respected yet controversial figure in political journalism, covering major scandals and becoming a lightning rod in American politics.