Columbia University on What Went Wrong with Rolling Stone Rape Story

Before it was retracted by Rolling Stone magazine, the story "A Rape on Campus" generated 2.7 million page views — more than any story it's ever run that wasn't about a celebrity. Reporter Sabrina Rubin Erdely, described a nightmarish, multiple attack on a freshman called "Jackie" during a fraternity party at the University of Virginia. Rolling Stone retracted the story after police found no evidence that any such party occurred, although they said something terrible might have happened to "Jackie." Editors are now responding to a scathing assessment by the Columbia Journalism Review, which reported last night on the failure to corroborate details she — and only she — had provided. Erik Wemple is media columnist for the Washington Post, which first reported inconsistencies in the Rolling Stone story.