A top journalist for Germany’s Der Spiegel magazine has resigned after admitting that he made up interviews “on a grand scale.”
The reporter, Claas Relotius, was named CNN Journalist of the Year in 2014.
The 33-year-old staff writer resigned following an internal investigation by the magazine, according to Der Spiegel which reported that it had published about 60 of Relotius’ articles before the writer “admitted that, in several instances, he either invented stories or distorted facts.”
“Claas Relotius, a reporter and editor, falsified his articles on a grand scale and even invented characters, deceiving both readers and his colleagues. This has been uncovered as a result of tips, internal research and, ultimately, a comprehensive confession by the editor himself,” the publication revealed.
CNN’s 2014 Journalist of the Year just admitted to faking news stories for years https://t.co/jky0UeuiY6
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) December 19, 2018
To be clear, CNN praised this journalist’s work (which is typically left wing in perspective), but did not themselves employ him.
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) December 19, 2018
Suspicions were raised by a colleague working with Relotius a story along the US-Mexican border who questioned some of the details in the journalist’s reporting on the article which was published in November. Juan Moreno, who “grew distrustful” of his colleague, tracked down and questioned two of the alleged sources Relotius had quoted in his article only to find they had never met him.
Another investigation uncovered falsified reports about seeing a hand-painted sign that read “Mexicans keep out,” alleged prisoners in Guantanamo Bay and even a phone call with former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s parents.
Among the fake news produced by @DerSPIEGEL reporter #Relotius:
– a sign emblazoned with the words “Mexicans Keep Out” at the entrance to a town in Minnesota
– schoolchildren painting pictures of Donald Trump
– a phone call with Colin Kaepernick’s parentsAll of it fake.
— Philip Crowther (@PhilipinDC) December 19, 2018
“I am sick and I need to get help,” he reportedly told the magazine when finally admitting his actions.
Relotius, who first wrote as a freelancer for the magazine before being employed as an editor for the past year and a half, admitted to Der Spiegel that at least 14 of his articles were partially fabricated, though the publication wondered, “Is he to be believed? Could that figure actually be considerably higher?”
DER SPIEGEL would like to apologize to anyone and everyone who has appeared in the magazine or on our website with false quotations, made-up details about their lives, in fictitious places or in otherwise false contexts in articles by Claas Relotius. https://t.co/UnOiNYX4LR
— SPIEGEL ONLINE English (@SPIEGEL_English) December 20, 2018
Some of the articles under scrutiny have been nominated or have won journalism awards.
“Claas Relotius committed his deception intentionally, methodically and with criminal intent,” Der Spiegel noted, explaining how the writer never met the persons he quoted.
An incredible case of actual “fake news” from Germany: Renowned @DerSPIEGEL journalist Claas #Relotius invented sources, people, the whole thing, several times over. In German: https://t.co/hCYvZx9rcY
— Philip Crowther (@PhilipinDC) December 19, 2018
“He based the depictions on other media or video recordings. By doing so, he created composite characters of people who actually did exist but whose stories Relotius had fabricated. He also made up dialogue and quotes,” the publication stated, noting the scandal “marks a low point in the 70-year history of Der Spiegel.”
The online articles by Relotius will remain up until “the allegations have been sufficiently clarified,” Der Spiegel noted.
CNN strips Der Spiegel journalist Claas Relotius of his two Journalist of the Year awards; he’s also returned four awards from press association Reporter Forum (@tassilo_hummel / Reuters)https://t.co/P3sIWue2sFhttps://t.co/RDXXI8ttoj
— Mediagazer (@mediagazer) December 20, 2018
Though Relotius had never been hired by CNN, the fact that he won CNN’s Journalist of the Year award spurred many reactions on Twitter, including one from former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee who called “Karma!”
About right. World’s most celebrated Fake News journalist who just made crap up out of thin air, was CNN’s Journalist of the Year. Karma! https://t.co/zGvA0ZiZVT
— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) December 20, 2018
He’s got a future at CNN…
“Relotius had also lied about seeing a hand-painted sign that read ‘Mexicans keep out’, a subsequent investigation found.”
— TM61 (@TheMule999) December 19, 2018
Was @brianstelter on the committee at #FakeNews @CNN that selected this fraud as 2014 “Journalist” of the Year?
— ??#IAmTheNRA Rosenblum (@StevenRosenblum) December 20, 2018
Is it surprising that CNN thought highly of this journalist?
— finman (@finman2010) December 19, 2018
Guardians of Truth!!!
Or some shit like that.
— Paul Z (@PaulZWaDC) December 19, 2018
#CNN Journalist of the Year winner
Busted for reporting LITERALLY#FakeNewsShocked?
Not shockedhttps://t.co/mrFWOsSUDU— Jim Hanson (@Uncle_Jimbo) December 20, 2018
*awkward* CNN’s “Journalist Of The Year” Committed Journalistic Fraud “On A Grand Scale” At Der Spiegel ??♀️ Zero Hedge #FakeNews #DeepState https://t.co/PSI9KOUeeT
— Tamara Davis ?? (@warriors_mom) December 20, 2018
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