Boyd Shares Blame for Jayson Blair Fiasco

By: Renee C. Lee, Associated Press Writer (AP) In his first public comments since resigning over the Jayson Blair scandal, former New York Times Managing Editor Gerald Boyd told journalists Thursday it was time to take a hard look at why the scandal happened and "what lessons we can learn from it."

Boyd, addressing the National Association of Black Journalists national convention in Dallas, received a standing ovation as he stepped to the podium. Some chanted, "Boyd! Boyd!" The group named him Journalist of the Year in 2001.

Boyd resigned under pressure two months ago after the Times discovered Blair had plagiarized material, invented quotes, and wrote stories using datelines of places he had never been. The scandal -- which exposed a deeply discontented staff that had lost confidence in newsroom leadership -- also led to the resignation of Executive Editor Howell Raines.

Boyd said his resignation was a mutual decision with the newspaper. He shared the blame and responsibility for Blair's downfall but said management didn't realize how deeply troubled Blair was until it was too late.

Had management known, "Jayson Blair simply would not have been writing for The New York Times," Boyd said. He dismissed as "absolutely untrue" criticism that Blair had been promoted and his problems overlooked because the reporter was black.

Boyd, who also is black, said he was dismayed that race became part of the story.

"I would be lying if I didn't say that I can't help wonder why after all these years of struggling to establish our work and credibility in the newsroom -- to be seen as top-notch journalists -- as soon as controversy arises, an African-American reporter and an African-American senior editor are automatically viewed as suspect," he said.

Boyd said he had little direct contact with Blair and that Blair received substantial management attention from people who worked much more closely with him. He said he knew about some of Blair's faults and that he should have shared more information about things he knew as Blair moved to different assignments.

"There is a lesson here that we should all well heed. ... We should never lose sight to take time to make sure we're communicating with each other," he said.

Because of the demands of the news, management never came together to re-evaluate Blair's situation, he said.

"I want you all to know I will spend the rest of my career ... doing everything I can to make sure we all grow and learn from this," he said.

Boyd said he was thinking about teaching but hasn't made any firm decisions. He said his true passion will always be journalism. "Nothing has happened to diminish my love and passion for journalism," he said.