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Rolling Stone asks journalism school to investigate UVA rape story

By Danielle Haynes

NEW YORK, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Rolling Stone magazine asked the Columbia Journalism School to review its handling of a story about a University of Virginia student who says she was gang raped, the accuracy of which has come into question.

Earlier this month the magazine admitted it made serious errors of judgement in its reporting of the story in which an anonymous victim, "Jackie," reported she was raped by several young men during a fraternity party three years ago, underscoring the school's lack of action.

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"There now appear to be discrepancies in Jackie's account, and we have come to the conclusion that our trust in her was misplaced," a statement from Rolling Stone's managing editor Will Dana said Dec. 5 in response to the discrepancies that were found in the article.

Now the school is looking for an external review by Columbia Journalism School into how it handled the original story, which was published Nov. 19.

Rolling Stone Editor and Publisher Jann S. Wenner published a statement in the upcoming issue of the magazine to that effect.

"In RS 1223, Sabrina Rubin Erdely wrote about a brutal gang rape of a young woman named Jackie at a party in a University of Virginia frat house ["A Rape on Campus"]. Upon its publication, the article generated worldwide attention and praise for shining a light on the way the University of Virginia and many other colleges and universities across the nation have tried to sweep the issue of sexual assault on campus under the rug. Then, two weeks later, The Washington Post and other news outlets began to question Jackie's account of the evening and the accuracy of Erdely's reporting. Immediately, we posted a note on our website, disclosing the concerns. We have asked the Columbia Journalism School to conduct an independent review -- headed by Dean Steve Coll and Dean of Academic Affairs Sheila Coronel -- of the editorial process that led to the publication of this story. As soon as they are finished, we will publish their report."

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Coronel told the Washington Post the review began a few days ago and they don't yet have a deadline. She said the magazine handed over "a lot of files."

"They've given us the interviews, the e-mail, a lot of other things," Coronel said. "We have a lot."

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