An award-winning German journalist working in Der Spiegel –the most popular investigative and political magazine based in Hamburg- has been sacked for fabricating news stories.
Claas Relotius has been found to have used several fake and imaginary quotes in at least fourteen stories he has written for the magazine. It is alleged that in some of these stories he has even created imaginary characters.
It is a colleague who has worked with him recently has raised suspicion about the way he collects quotes.
Though initially refused, he has later admitted of wrong doing. It is him who has informed his bosses that he has used fake quotes in at least twenty stories.
The magazine has sought apology. In a statement written for the readers, the magazine authorities have claimed that they were shocked by the revelation made by the writer.
So far, the tainted writer has written at least sixty stories for the magazine. In the recent past, he has been felicitated several times in recognition of his work.
At this moment, it remains unclear whether the writer has used such illicit methods in any of the stories which have made him appropriate for any of the awards he has received for his work.
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