[Traster]

I don't know if it's different in the US, but in the UK "Took responsibilty" meant resigned (or used to). Like if something really bad happens and you're the one taking responsibily- you're the one falling on your sword. It doesn't actually have to be your fault even, something could happen that you thought was below your pay grade, but that's why you're paid - to take responsibility. The reporter taking responsibility is... whining about COVID? Ok and next week is he going to fabricate quotes because he was hungover? or tired? Why didn't he resign? Since he didn't resign, why wasn't he fired? It's almost like he was doing what he was meant to be doing, but wasn't meant to be caught.

I actually disagree with Shambaugh. I think Ars is already breaking the way our media is meant to work, they know the steps to go through and so they cynically go through them in the full knowledge they haven't actually put in place any mechanisms to stop it happening again. It's a theoretical risk that Ars' reputation suffers, but it's a financial risk this week if they get fewer page views by publishing fewer higher quality articles and Conde Nast isn't in the business of making smart long term decisions about digital media.