Although Sedaris has claimed that the account is true, there are different versions, and fact-checking by
This American Life and others in the wake of the
Mike Daisey Foxconn controversy has clouded the issue. In 2007, writing for
The New Republic,
Alexander S. Heard fact-checked various aspects of Sedaris's stories, including
Santaland Diaries, and found that several aspects were exaggerated and manufactured, although Sedaris did work in Macy's during the time period represented. Although some defended Sedaris by stating that his intention was to entertain, not provide accurate information as in the case of Daisey, NPR's executive editor of news programming has stated that a reader alert is warranted. ==References==