Editor's Note

In our editor's note Monday, The Crimson retracted two editorial cartoons, published on Oct. 18 and Oct. 25, respectively, by Kathleen E. Breeden ‘09, because the cartoons drew inappropriately on cartoons published elsewhere. In our editors’ note published that day, we stated that we would continue our investigation of two additional cartoons drawn by Breeden, published on Sept. 22 and Oct. 11, respectively. After speaking further with Breeden and consulting with industry experts, we have determined that though the Oct. 18 and Oct. 25 cartoons were copied, both the Sept. 22 and Oct. 11 ones are Breeden’s original work.

In our further investigation, we also became aware of similarities between a cartoon by Breeden published March 9 depicting former director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Michael D. Brown and a cartoon drawn by Bob Englehart on Sept. 29, 2005, in the Hartford Courant. Both cartoons depict Brown with eight arms pointing in various directions. We have concluded that Breeden’s March 9 cartoon is also her original work.

We also announced that Breeden’s weekly editorial cartoon would be discontinued for the remainder of the semester. Breeden, however, will have the opportunity to continue to contribute to the Crimson as an illustrator for the editorial page. Both Breeden and Victoria Ilyinsky ‘07, whose biweekly opinion column was discontinued last week because of improper citation in her Oct. 16 opinion piece, will have the opportunity to reapply for semester-long cartoonist and columnist positions, respectively, when applications are considered in February.

In an effort to further ensure the integrity of the content that runs in our newspaper, The Crimson will now require all contributing columnists and cartoonists to take part in sourcing and citation seminars similar to the ones that Crimson staff writers currently must attend. Additionally, we have sharpened our enforcement of source citation requirements in the editing process of written pieces.

We take no satisfaction in having to deal with these complex situations. While we are committed to upholding the highest standards of honesty in the content of our newspaper, these were very difficult decisions for us to make.

- William C. Marra '07, Michael B. Broukhim '07, Matthew S. Meisel '07