In January, the radio show This American Life had hosted an a performer called Mike Daisey to talk about his experience talking to Chinese laborers who assemble iPads, iPhones, and other Apple products. Apparently Daisey had straight-out lied to TAL fact-checkers about many encounters, according to Rob Schmitz, a writer for Marketplace who investigated his claims. Daisey had created a one-man show called "The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs" (PDF transcript) about his experiences. After being outed, he openly admitted that he's not a journalist and that he takes creative license with his work. Here's one excerpt that Daisey made up about one factory worker who had mangled his hand while on duty at Foxconn, and was trying out the iPad for the first time.
He's never actually seen one on, this thing that took his hand. I turn it on, unlock the screen, and pass it to him. He takes it. The icons flare into view, and he strokes the screen with his ruined hand, and the icons slide back and forth. And he says something to Cathy, and Cathy says, "he says it's a kind of magic."
Other parts of Daisey's commentary alleged that Apple is allowing under-age workers to be on the factory floor, which Apple has admitted to in their own audits, though they say it's much more rare than Daisey makes it out to be. While it's great to see stories from Nightline and the like uncover what working conditions are like in Chinese factories, particularly among Apple partners, it's very worrying to see reports like this get through the cracks and dramatize the situation on the pretense of being factual. Sure, things could stand to improve for folks at Foxconn, but lying about it certainly isn't going to help the cause; if anything, it discredits the efforts anyone making humanitarian efforts in the area.
This American Life has retracted the episode featuring Daisey, and issued a statement accepting responsibility for the whole mess. At least we can rest assured that this Daisey guy won't be particularly popular after this episode is done with.
Source: Marketplace, image credit
Reader comments
Huge parts of Mike Daisey's report on Foxconn factory conditions completely made up
"Other parts of Daisey’s commentary alleged that Apple is allowing under-age workers to be on the factory floor, which Apple has admitted to in their own audits, though they say it’s much more rare than Daisey makes it out to be."
Yes of course they use under age workers, but only the children that are born on the production line. LOL Seriously though...
...Admissions of this type where claims are that much of the original claims were either made up or dramatized simply make any other 'truthful' reports about this subject held in a similar light and now people will wonder how much has been simply made up for dramatic effect and for it to be an ends to a means which is exactly what Mike Daisey admitted.
As for NPR, they really should have done their homework before allowing such a piece to take place instead of taking defensive measures such as pulling the audio for the show and other damage limitation.
As most 'free lance' hit-piece purveyors, just out to make a few bucks to pay the mortgage... I guess in America today, LIES can pass as truth no matter what...... is this slime floating to the top??
He's not running for office this year is he??
Maybe they can hire him to work for MSNBC or CNN. He would fit right in.
Big Fat Liar.
Was he trained at FoxNews?
No, he was trained at ANY of the major news networks....
because to libs foxnews is a conservative freak show
and to conservatives, all other news agencies are liberal apologists.
the fact remains that ALL American media outlets (and most major news outlets in the world) are biased sacks of garbage that only become "honest" when they agree with the viewer's bias.
So whenever you say "Fox is biased" or "CNN is biased", that's because their owners happen to have a bias opposite your own. But your "honest" news source is a biased sack of crap too.
That's why I only beleive what Anonymous sources uncover. The rest only serve their rich masters.
Are you saying that iMore is a bias sack of crap too? I would like some clarity on that.
"Other pa rts of Daisey’s commentary alleged that Apple is allowing under-age workers to be on the factory floor, which Apple has admitted to in their own audits, though they say it’s much more rare than Daisey makes it out to be."
I dont know about you guys but any kids working there should be an outrage. It like saying i break the law but since it doesnt happen very often it is ok.
I'm really inspired along with your writing skills and also with the structure on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it's uncommon to see a great weblog like this one these days..