Tim Ryan Fired for Plagiarism

The Honolulu Star-Bulletin's Tim Ryan, Hawaii's top entertainment reporter, was fired for plagiarism yesterday. Six of Ryan's stories dating back to 2001 were cited to contain phrases lifted from elsewhere, including Wikipedia (whose editors first discovered the malfeasance) and NPR. In a letter to Star-Bulletin readers today, editor Frank Bridgewater explained, "The stories contained phrases or sentences that appeared elsewhere before being included, un-attributed, in stories that ran in the Star-Bulletin. The stories did not include inaccurate information or any fabrications."

While plagiarism is an extremely serious offense in journalism, it is nevertheless unfortunate to lose Ryan, a 21-year veteran of the Star-Bulletin, as a regular voice in the local press. Mistakes aside, he has a knack for getting the scoop and is unafraid to dig up dirt--traits that much of the local press corps lacks.

>> Inquiry prompts reporter's dismissal [Hnl Star-Bulletin, 1/13/06]
>> Plagiarism at the Honolulu Star-Bulletin [Regret the Error, 1/11/06]

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