At the Washington Post, Erik Wemple reports that Rolling Stone publisher Jann Wenner is seeking the aid of Columbia Journalism School to do an independent audit of their botched story about rape at the University of Virginia: Rolling Stone Farms Out Review of U-Va. Rape Story to Columbia Journalism School.

Rolling Stone magazine has decided to enlist the Columbia Journalism School to audit its handling of a discredited Nov. 19 story about rape on the campus of the University of Virginia, according to a just-released statement from Editor and Publisher Jann S. Wenner, which reads as follows:

In RS 1223, Sabrina Rubin Erdely wrote about a brutal gang rape of a young woman named Jackie at a party in a University of Virginia frat house [“A Rape on Campus”]. Upon its publication, the article generated worldwide attention and praise for shining a light on the way the University of Virginia and many other colleges and universities across the nation have tried to sweep the issue of sexual assault on campus under the rug. Then, two weeks later, The Washington Post and other news outlets began to question Jackie’s account of the evening and the accuracy of Erdely’s reporting. Immediately, we posted a note on our website, disclosing the concerns. We have asked the Columbia Journalism School to conduct an independent review - headed by Dean Steve Coll and Dean of Academic Affairs Sheila Coronel - of the editorial process that led to the publication of this story. As soon as they are finished, we will publish their report.

I noticed our stalker pal Chuck C. Johnson tweeting about this:

Pathetic. RT Rolling Stone farms out review of U-Va. rape story to Columbia Journalism School http://t.co/oivtxzKMkU #UVaHoax #jackieCoakley

— Charles C. Johnson (@ChuckCJohnson) December 23, 2014

OK. I don’t get it. Why is this supposed to be “pathetic?” It sounds like an excellent idea to have an independent review, and who better to do it than a renowned journalism academy? A teaching experience for all involved, if you will.

Seriously, why is this supposed to be a bad thing? It’s usually not difficult to see what wingnuts are getting at when they rant about something, but I’m drawing a blank on this one.