A Fragile Trust tells the shocking story of Jayson Blair, the most infamous serial plagiarist of our time, and how he unleashed a scandal that rocked The New York Times and the world of journalism. In 2003 Blair was caught plagiarizing the work of other reporters and supplementing his own reporting with fabricated details in dozens of different stories published in the Times. The ensuing media frenzy surrounding the “Blair Affair” served sordid details in a soap opera-style tale of deception, drug abuse, racism, mental illness, hierarchy, white guilt, and power struggles inside the hallowed halls of The New York Times. Featuring an exclusive interview with Blair, and unprecedented access to his notes, reflections, and private email account, A Fragile Trust is a compelling, character-driven narrative about an important chapter in the history of journalism, and a complex story about power, ethics, representation, race, and accountability in the mainstream media.
Director Samantha Grant in attendance for post-screening discussions.
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