Asne Seierstad Quotes

While the government can tell you that I am an innocent man, the government's letter cannot give me back my good name or my reputation.

At the end of the day, it is about the album and book and also about setting the record straight, because 'American Idol' has done a great job of defaming my name and throwing a lot of mud at me for the past two years. So that set up a lot of roadblocks for me.

I will say again that I have never, and would never, harm a child. It sickens me that people have written untrue things about me.

I know my brother. Michael, he's not that kind of person. He doesn't do that. That's all a lie on him.

The fact that a man is a newspaper reporter is evidence of some flaw in character.

Truth is generally the best vindication against slander.

I've had to take a lot of stick down the years but the one thing that really got to me was when someone questioned my integrity. It's the one thing that really grates with you.

The judgment means a lot. As a journalist being accused of invading someone's privacy, there is always a risk that it will stick to your name.

In my opinion, the only real asset one has is one's reputation, right? I mean, any company and institution can go belly up at any time. But if you have a good reputation, you know, you can usually find somebody who can - who thinks they can use what you have to offer.

Accuracy to a newspaper is what virtue is to a lady; but a newspaper can always print a retraction.

I've long since stopped worrying about how I'm portrayed in the press because ultimately it's not that important. Everyone who knows me knows I do what I do with the greatest integrity.

I dish the dirt out, and I can take it. But why should my mother and children have to take it? In 20 years, I have taken any number of stories, most of which are not true, without a murmur of complaint. But some stories you have to draw the line and say No.

I can't help but laugh at all of you writing fake stories about me. I was not in any hit and runs. I don't drink so the DUI is false.

I am sure Mr Heath thinks he is honest but I wish he didn't have to have his friends say it so often.

I've been a reporter for 20 years, and I don't ever get things wrong. That's important in terms of my professional status.

I have been in the film industry for 35 years, and everyone, including the spot-boys, will vouch for my character.

Reputation is a timely subject, now that nobody has one.

I know me, and those close to me know me. But sadly, the outside world thinks I'm some kind of a crook.

You convey something that the public either trusts or it does not trust, and it has to do with the content and how you handle the news, but it also just has something to do with your persona.

My integrity had been called into question; I was being called a liar, and I am not a liar. And I just think it is time that we stop viewing public figures as fair game.

Malice scorned, puts out itself; but argued, give a kind of credit to a false accusation.

I've met some great people that deal with me in the press. I've also met some people that were very dishonorable, frankly.

Be thou as chaste as ice, as pure as snow, thou shalt not escape calumny.

As a journalist, I know what it is like to incur the self-righteous wrath of people who denounce you for things you didn't say or didn't mean.

It takes a career, a lifetime, to build up a reputation, and only one misstep for it all to crumble away.