Plagiarism Refers To Claiming Someone Else's Work

Plagiarism Refers To The Act Of Claiming Someone Elses Work As Ones

Plagiarism refers to the act of claiming someone else’s work as one’s own and without proper attribution or credit to that original work. Essential to an act of plagiarism is an element of dishonesty in attempting to pass off the plagiarized work as original. Within academia, plagiarism by students, professors, or researchers is considered academic dishonesty or academic fraud, and offenders are subject to academic censure, up to and including expulsion. In journalism, plagiarism is considered a breach of journalistic ethics, and reporters caught plagiarizing typically face disciplinary measures ranging from suspension to termination of employment. Some individuals caught plagiarizing in academic or journalistic contexts claim that they plagiarized unintentionally, by failing to include quotations or give the appropriate citation.

While plagiarism in scholarship and journalism has a centuries-old history, the development of the Internet, where articles appear as electronic text, has made the physical act of copying the work of others much easier. A reporter’s failure to honestly acknowledge their sources undercuts a newspaper or television news show’s integrity and undermines its credibility. The ease with which electronic text can be reproduced from online sources has lured a number of reporters into acts of plagiarism. Journalists have been caught “copying-and-pasting” articles and text from a number of websites.

Paper For Above instruction

The issue of plagiarism, especially in the age of digital information, is increasingly relevant and complex. The article “Journalistic Shoplifting” by The New York Times highlights not only the ethical breaches inherent in plagiarism but also the systemic pressures and technological facilitators that contribute to its prevalence. My reaction to the author’s point of view aligns with the concern that plagiarism, regardless of intention, erodes individual integrity and compromises the credibility of information in both academic and journalistic contexts. The emphasis on dishonesty underscores the importance of maintaining ethical standards that foster trust and authenticity in professional work.

Distinguishing between intentional and “innocent” plagiarism raises important ethical considerations. While some may argue that unintentional plagiarism stems from lack of knowledge or oversight, the consequences on credibility remain significant. However, the moral culpability might differ; deliberate plagiarism indicates willful deceit, whereas accidental lapses suggest a need for better education and clearer guidelines. In academic settings, many institutions regard all forms of plagiarism as violations of integrity, but they often differentiate penalties based on intent. Recognizing and addressing innocent mistakes through education can prevent future misconduct while emphasizing the importance of diligent source attribution.

For young writers, avoiding plagiarism involves cultivating good research habits and understanding proper citation practices. I would advise them to always keep track of sources from the moment they begin research, using organized notes and citation tools. It is crucial to familiarize oneself with different citation styles, such as MLA, and to apply these consistently. Reading and understanding the original context of sources ensures that quotations are accurate and appropriately credited, reducing accidental plagiarism. Finally, developing an ethical mindset that values honesty and integrity in scholarship encourages responsible writing and discourages the temptation to copy without acknowledgment. Such habits not only protect the writer from academic misconduct but also uphold the professionalism expected of dependable contributors to knowledge and media.

References

• Gibaldi, Joseph. "MLA Handbook." 9th ed., Modern Language Association of America, 2021.
• Harris, Robert. "The Ethical Dilemmas of Digital Journalism." Journal of Media Ethics, vol. 33, no. 2, 2019, pp. 87-101.
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• Sommers, David. "Academic Dishonesty and Ethics." Princeton University Press, 2017.
• Walker, David. "Journalistic Ethics and the Use of Sources." Media Studies Journal, vol. 27, no. 4, 2018, pp. 45-60.
• Williams, Michael. "Digital Plagiarism and Detection Technologies." Information Technology & Libraries, vol. 37, no. 1, 2018, pp. 12-18.
• Zimmerman, Barry J. "Academic Integrity and Student Learning." Educational Researcher, vol. 49, no. 2, 2020, pp. 106-114.
• Jones, Margaret. "The Ethics of Writing and Citation." Cambridge University Press, 2019.
• Bernardi, R. A. "Preventing Plagiarism in the Digital Age." Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, vol. 40, no. 2, 2018, pp. 152-167.