Plagiarism in Wyoming? No way!
Plagiarism is something the folks at The Wyoming Net (TWN) had thought we would never see in Wyoming. Well, maybe with the infamous Main Street Media who like to wordsmith the dialog of conservatives to support their fake narratives. But to see a “conservative” publisher pilfer articles from another conservative publisher is truly alarming and can sadly undercut the long-term efforts of both publishers.
In January this year an article written by a contributing author (SP) for The Wyoming Net had his work stolen and published on a newly online digital “mobile news magazine”, Open Range Record (ORR), without SP’s permission nor the permission of The Wyoming Net. The article authored by SP, Mark Gordon: A Divide between His Statements and His Record, was published here at The Wyoming Net eight years ago on July 8, 2018:
SP’s article was published at ORR in its entirety, word for word. ORR added to the original title to read, 2018 Flashback: Mark Gordon: A Divide between His Statements and His Record. Then to add insult to injury, the ORR removed SP as the author and added an entirely different name – an additional contributing author for The Wyoming Net.
While one author’s article was being stolen by ORR, the author they swapped out for SP was unknowingly being implicated for plagiarism. Had SP discovered their article had been published by ORR under another author’s name could have caused quite a problem between both authors.
Whether it was intentional, a mistake, or someone was in too much of a hurry to do it the right way, you don’t just get to do that.
The Wyoming Net has had an obvious Copyright Notice since we went online sixteen years ago in 2008. At our site it is clearly stated:
The Wyoming Net (aka: thewyoming.net) © 2008-2026
All Rights Reserved
No part of this website or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied, modified or adapted, without the prior written consent of the author, unless otherwise indicated for stand-alone materials.
Someone at ORR also took the time to add images to SP’s article showing logos of various entities Gordon has been associated with:
Once TWN discovered the issue, an email was sent to David Iverson via his website at “Cowboy State Politics” using the website’s email form – no other email address was found. A copy of the email was also sent to Rebecca Bextel. Subsequently the plagiarized article was removed from the ORR the following day.
The gentleman whom ORR wrongfully inserted as the author of the afore mentioned article, notified TWN that Mr. Iverson contacted him and said the article was removed, however, no apology was given.
Interestedly enough, no one associated with ORR responded to TWN’s communication regarding ORR’s copyright infringement.
The Wyoming Net finds this whole affair quite disturbing to say the least. The folks at The Wyoming Net and its contributors believe in networking with other sources, but we give credit to the writers, do not reprint their work in entirety, and we always provide links back to original sources.
We are glad there are several conservative publications available online today for Wyomingites. TWN does not see this as competition, but rather as working together towards an educated conservative base. We believe good work should be shared, and the good works of others should be honored, not stolen.
When a publisher, online or in print, doesn’t honor contributors and sources by taking as their own, or using names of other people without their knowledge, a poor reputation can be created that will harm themselves and their own contributors. It is also a disservice to the trust of their own readers.
In closing, The Wyoming Net recognizes that there are many good and skillful writers in Wyoming – their hard work and research are valuable and needed in Wyoming. Sharing their work and networking can help their articles reach a larger audience, and in turn will educate more Wyomingites.
Increasing the numbers of educated Wyomingites is what we all want, isn’t it?
This rant is not intended to condemn, but rather to encourage everyone to be honest in their publications.
Notes: Types of Plagiarism ~Source
