How Jon Stewart’s ‘Daily Show’ Exit Will Deal Big Blow to TV News

"The Daily Show's" "Blow Me" Blow Up

In 1997, then-host Craig Kilborn told Esquire in an interview that co-creator Lizz Winstead found him attractive, asserting: "If I wanted her to blow me, she would." He was suspended and she quit some time later.

Also Read: Craig Kilborn: Grilled on His Comeback, the Late-Night Wars

The New Republic's Shattered Glass

Stephen Glass, formerly a journalist for The New Republic, was discovered to have fabricated almost half of his articles. In 1998, it was revealed that he had invented events, quotes and sources for a number of publications.

Also Read: Jonah Lehrer Compared to Stephen Glass, Jayson Blair by Journalism Professors

NY Times' Faulty Coverage of Iraq's Weapons Program

Judith Miller of the New York Times was discovered to have reported on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction in 2002 using inaccurate information from unreliable sources. At the time, her articles were used to push the U.S. case for war with Iraq.

Also Read: Jon Stewart Rips Apart Judith Miller Over Iraq Reporting: You Pushed Us Into ‘Devastating’ Mistake

The New York Times' Trail of Plagiarism

Jayson Blair worked as a journalist for the New York Times before resigning in May 2003 when his editor questioned him about similarities between his work and that of other journalists. Blair later told "Talk of the Nation" that his bad habit started when he grabbed a quote from a press conference that he had not attended.

Also Read: Jayson Blair to Give Speech to Journalism Ethics Institute

CBS News' Rathergate Affair

Dan Rather, then a correspondent on "60 Minutes," produced a flawed CBS News story in September 2004 that challenged President George W. Bush's National Guard service. Rather used fake documents to show Bush had received special treatment. Once the scandal made news, several CBS producers were fired.

Also Read: Cannes: Sony Classics Buys ‘Truth,’ Robert Redford/Cate Blanchett Film About Dan Rather

Don Imus' "Nappy-Headed Hoes" Slur

CBS fired Don Imus in April 2007 for using racial slurs on his radio program, during which he referred to the Rutgers women's basketball team as "nappy-headed hoes." Opponents protested the show, sponsors pulled advertising and the show was canceled a week later.

Sue Simmons F-Bomb Outburst

WNBC New York news anchor Sue Simmons dropped a serious gaffe in a teaser for the 11 p.m. news in July 2008, yelling "What the f-ck are you doing?" on-air. Simmons was subsequently fired, but loyal fans fueled a #SaveSueSimmons hashtag and encouraged WNBC to bring her back.

Also Read: Sue Simmons, Anchor in F-Word Flap, Leaving New York’s WNBC (Report)

Ed Schultz's "Right Wing Slut" Remark

MSNBC host Ed Schultz called rival pundit Laura Ingraham a "right wing slut" in May 2011, resulting in his suspension and later replacement. The slur was in response to Ingraham’s criticism of President Obama’s Ireland trip while tornadoes were devastating the United States.

Also Read: MSNBC’s Ed Schultz Explodes at Caller: ‘Get The F— Out of Here!’ (Audio)

News Corp.'s Phone Hacking Scandal

Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation was busted for hacking the phones of celebrities, government officials and members of the British Royal Family on several occasions. The issue became a huge topic after the Guardian reported in July 2011 that the voicemail of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler had been hacked by News Corp., leading to the arrests of a number of top company editors.

Also Read: How Rupert Murdoch’s Son James Pulled Off Comeback After NewsCorp’s Hacking Scandal

New York Post's Falsely Portrayed "Bag Men"

Salaheddin Barhoum and Yassine Zaimi were misidentified as the Boston Marathon bombers by the New York Post in April 2013. The publication printed a photo of the men on its front page with the damning headline "Bag Men." They later sued for libel, invasion of privacy and emotional distress.

CBS' Discredited "60 Minutes" on Benghazi

"60 Minutes" correspondent Lara Logan and her producer were asked to take a leave of absence after it was revealed her October 2013 report on Benghazi was flawed. Her eyewitness volunteered information to "60 Minutes" about an attack that differed from the version he told the FBI. She returned six months later.

Also Read: CBS News’ Lara Logan Back in Hospital

CNN Reporter's Contact High

Reporter Randi Kaye looked a bit under the influence while on air with Anderson Cooper in January 2014. In the "Gone to Pot" segment, Kaye is seen swaying back and forth and giggling while covering the legalization of recreational marijuana in Colorado.

Also Read: 5 Biggest Whoppers From Donald Trump’s Anderson Cooper Interview

BuzzFeed's 41 Instances of Plagiarism

In July 2014, Twitter users began noticing familiar phrases between BuzzFeed writer Benny Johnson's articles and those of other websites. BuzzFeed found 41 times when he had plagiarized someone else's work or improperly attributed. He was fired and BuzzFeed issued a statement.

Also Read: BuzzFeed Reporter Sexual Harassment Claims: ‘Mad Men’ Actor’s Rep Disputes; Lawyer Dissects (Exclusive)

ESPN's Truth or Dare

Bill Simmons was suspended by ESPN for three weeks in September 2014 for his criticism of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's handling of the Ray Rice scandal. He dared ESPN to fire him for speaking out, stating he'd go public about Goodell if anyone punished him. In 2015 Simmons' contract was not renewed.

Also Read: 5 Potential Destinations for Bill Simmons After ESPN Divorce

Rolling Stone's Erroneous "A Rape on Campus" Story

Sabrina Rubin Erdely published a story in the Dec. 2014 issue of Rolling Stone that claimed several fraternity members at the University of Virginia raped a woman named "Jackie" during a chapter house party. The story was discredited after other journalists noticed discrepancies in Jackie's story, and Rolling Stone retracted it in Apr. 2015.

New Republic's Unwarranted Facelift

Known as the man who bought and subsequently ruined the New Republic, Chris Hughes was blasted in Dec. 2014 by the journalism community for drastically changing the publication. Approximately 50 of the magazine's staffers resigned in protest.

Also Read: The New Republic Owner Chris Hughes on Purchase of Magazine: ‘I F–cked Up’

ESPN's Very Own Goes to War Over Penn State's THON

Keith Olbermann's sharp tongue has gotten him into trouble a few times, including his Twitter war with Penn State students in Feb. 2015 over their annual THON fundraiser. Olbermann mocked the university, which two years earlier had been penalized by the NCAA over the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal. ESPN suspended him.

Also Read: Keith Olbermann Jokes His Next Job Will Be as ‘Donald Trump’s Campaign Manager’ (Video)

Brian Williams' Exaggerated Iraq Experience

"NBC Nightly News" anchor Brian Williams Tells Matt Lauer Suspension Was ‘Torture,’ But ‘Absolutely Necessary’ (Video)" href="https://www.thewrap.com/brian-williams-tells-matt-lauer-suspension-was-torture-video/">Brian Williams admitted in Feb. 2015 that he exaggerated his experience aboard a helicopter that was struck by RPG fire during the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Williams was suspended by the network and will return as Brian Williams Demoted to MSNBC Breaking News Anchor" href="https://www.thewrap.com/brian-williams-demoted-to-msnbc-breaking-news-anchor/">a breaking news anchor for MSNBC in August.

Also Read: Insiders: Brian Williams Stumps MSNBC as Executives Debate Anchor’s Role (Exclusive)

ESPN Reporter's Run-In with Towing Company

ESPN reporter Britt McHenry was suspended for a week in Apr. 2015 after a video in which she berates a towing company employee went viral and received heavy public backlash.

Gawker Outs Condé Nast Executive

For the first time in its history, Gawker removed a controversial post in July 2015 that outted Condé Nast's chief financial officer for soliciting a gay porn star. Gawker's executive editor Tommy Craggs and editor-in-chief Max Read both resigned several days later.

Also Read: Is Gawker Still Gawker After Pulling Story About Condé Nast CFO and Gay Porn Star?