The controversy over Cooks Source magazine’s unapologetic act of plagiarism awoke a righteous anger somewhere deep in the Internet. Mostly those muscles get flexed on less deserving subjects, like partisan diet tips from Rush Limbaugh. Now the “newspaper-type magazine” is doing what one does after rousing a sleeping giant: Walk backward slowly with your head bowed, make as little noise as possible, and hope no one fixates on all the other publications and writers you reprinted without permission or compensation. Today Cooks Source replaced its website homepage with a nine-paragraph apology that explains why it’s probably never returning to Facebook (hackers), who this controversy hurt (everybody), and what they’re going to change about their editorial policies (something about asking for consent).
Last month an article, “American as Apple Pie — Isn’t,” was placed in error in Cooks Source, without the approval of the writer, Monica Gaudio. We sincerely wish to apologize to her for this error, it was an oversight of a small, overworked staff. We have made a donation at her request, to her chosen institution, the Columbia School of Journalism. In addition, a donation to the Western New England Food Bank, is being made in her name. It should be noted that Monica was given a clear credit for using her article within the publication, and has been paid in the way that she has requested to be paid.
Since it’s not mentioned directly, we think this means Judith Griggs stays on the masthead. A victory for passive-aggressive e-mail writers everywhere!
Statement [Official site]
Since it’s not mentioned directly, we think this means Judith Griggs stays on the masthead. A victory for passive-aggressive e-mail writers everywhere!
Statement [Official site]
