A journalist’s job is to seek the truth. It isn’t always the most popular form of employment, but it leads to change — such as when reporting led to the discovery of fraudulent activity in the White House.

But it’s a profession that must constantly strive to be regarded higher than most would rank it. Reporters and photojournalists are considered vultures, seeking any news that may draw great attention. As the old saying goes, “If it bleeds, it leads.” Journalists rank barely above politicians, which are considered the scum of the earth.

Cases such as Jack Kelley, formerly of USA Today, and Jayson Blair, formerly of the New York Times, do not help dispel these feelings toward journalists. These gentlemen, along with others, ruined reporters’ reputations when they plagiarized and went as far as to create fictitious stories and sources.

However, there is hope for the future of these newspapers.

Just as editors at the New York Times stepped down during the Blair scandal, three editors have resigned from USA Today in the last week because of the fabrications woven into Kelley’s stories that no one caught. Not only did they not fact check these stories, they also outright ignored complaints and comments — from other USA Today reporters — about suspicious articles. Their irresponsibility allowed Kelley to write at least 20 fallacious stories and shame the entire newspaper world.

The Iowa State Daily is no stranger to the shame plagiarism can bring. At the Daily, a staff writer was fired, and an investigation is in progress after the discovery of multiple film reviews plagiarized from the Minneapolis Star Tribune. The Daily, unlike USA Today, acted immediately when a tip was provided by an alumna about phrases that were virtually the same as a review in the Star Tribune.

Because of USA Today’s embarrassment, the top editor, Karen Jurgensen, retired April 20 amidst the controversy, saying she wished Kelley’s deceit was caught sooner.

Two days later, senior editors Brian Gallagher and Hal Ritter announced they too would step down from their editing posts.

It is refreshing that at least those responsible are taking credit for the poor job they did in handling Kelley. An independent panel of journalists formed by USA Today concluded that “shoddy editing standards, fissures in newsroom communication and a ‘corrosive’ atmosphere” allowed for Kelley to make up stories unnoticed, according to a New York Times article.

Perhaps these ethical breaches, occurring in more than just USA Today, the New York Times and the Iowa State Daily, will be a catalyst for adapting the way newsrooms are run.