Author of Rolling Stone's fake rape story apologizes to "victims of sexual assault," but not to her victims of false accusations. She and her editors and fact checkers keep their jobs. Publisher says there will be no policy changes at Rolling Stone.

DJeasyline · 2015-04-06T13:34:45+00:00

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falloutboy14 · 2015-04-06T13:47:47+00:00

This is not okay. A kotakuinaction style boycott should be started against Rollingstone and anyone who advertises with them. #reportingliesisnotokay.

canadianvw · 2015-04-06T14:31:13+00:00

Some people on this subreddit called it correctly: apologies to rape victims but not to the targets of the accusations.

Bravely_Default · 2015-04-06T14:29:12+00:00

This author is still writing for the Ny times, how she has a job anywhere in journalism is astounding to me. UVA and the fraternity should sue for defamation and slander.

dungone · 2015-04-06T13:55:41+00:00

I hate to say it, but Rolling Stone magazine has gone from the heady days of Hunter Thompson to its current back-water, bullshit infested tome. It's tried to stay edgy to remain relevant in a digital world, but let's be honest: the people who started reading Rolling Stone when they were young are pushing 60 and no one under 30 even remembers it.

This was a hatchet job intended to bring in huge numbers. A cover story that was going to cause non-buyers to pick-up an issue and read, voraciously, the 9,000-word treatise on rape & college.

The only victim is a young man accused of rape. In an era when campuses are digital, I doubt this person had much anonymity, or hope of a balanced life. Rolling Stone should be made to compensate this individual and publish an article speaking to his character-- a person who was vilified unnecessarily by a callous reporter and a magazine hell-bent on making a splash.

Electroverted · 2015-04-06T14:30:17+00:00

I knew it would be a Sorry Not Sorry. Media agencies have zero acountability, and much like law enforcement, it's a loss of face if they admit to hurting anyone innocent.

InBaggingArea · 2015-04-06T13:02:31+00:00

This all goes to show that, in the long run, you only weaken your case when you exaggerate.

These people should lose their jobs.

darkstout · 2015-04-06T17:13:10+00:00

What is amazing is how many people were involved in the story: multiple editors, a fact checker, and in-house lawyers. Hard-working people with decades of combined experience.

Sean Woods, the primary editor has a humbling quote:

"I've learned that even the most trusted and experienced people – including, and maybe especially, myself – can make grave errors in judgment."

Sabrina Erdely, the journalist, actually places blame on her editor:

"In retrospect, I wish somebody had pushed me harder ... I guess maybe I was surprised that nobody said, 'Why haven't you called them?'"

Yet apparently he did push her harder:

Woods remembered the sequence differently. After he read the first draft, he said, "I asked Sabrina to go reach the three friends. She said she couldn't.'"

So internally someone is lying about how the actual story was investigated!

warspite88 · 2015-04-06T17:50:22+00:00

thats because men do not matter... its been that way for ...forever..feminism sure didnt change that, no they made it much worse. nice equality feminism

blueoak9 · 2015-04-06T21:32:47+00:00

She apologizes to everyone except the people she actually wronged because they and what she did to them just don't matter to her.

Sociopath.

SimCity8000 · 2015-04-06T18:29:09+00:00

Leaving the frat out of the apology may have been a logistical move, considering the frat is pursuing a lawsuit.

Noze_Zelle · 2015-04-06T14:35:21+00:00

Rolling Stone is a magazine, not a reputable news source. The people who believed the story are just as much at fault. It's not journalism, it's blogging.

2015-04-06T16:37:42+00:00

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