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For the launch of its website on Wednesday, Radar published an exclusive about Fake Writer James Frey: rather than face a potentially pricey class-action lawsuit from Frey's emotionally wounded readers, Random House would offer a refund only to those who have a dated receipt from their original purchase of the book (so they'd probably have to pay off maybe three people, two of whom have been saving receipts since the Depression).

Today, Motoko Rich at the Times follows up on the story, confirming Radar's scoop and hashing out the details of the refund (readers must provide certain pages, etc.) — but Radar isn't credited. Granted, scoop-theft isn't unusual, especially when the story breaks online. But in this case, the Times' Frey-via-Radar coverage has been picked up by the Associated Press and, soon enough, every news outlet from here to Bumblefuck. And with their track record, the Radar team really could have used a namecheck in Bumblefuck.

We contacted Radar's esteemed offices, and they've been told by the Times that a correction is forthcoming — not that it does any good in regards to missing the AP boost. But then again, this karmic bitchslap certainly soothes the pain from that Mary Mapes fantasy item.

James Frey and His Publisher Settle Suit Over Lies [NYT]
A Million Little Settlements [Radar]
Earlier: 'Radar' Taking Popularity of Fake News a Little Too Seriously