New York magazine has placed its prominent Washington correspondent, Olivia Nuzzi, on leave following her disclosure of a personal relationship with a former reporting subject. This development, occurring approximately one year ago, has raised ethical concerns and prompted an internal review of the journalist's work.
The publication, founded in 1968 and recipient of 48 National Magazine Awards, stated that the relationship violates its standards. While the magazine has not confirmed the identity of the other party involved, sources cited by Status newsletter and The New York Times have identified Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the son of former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and a controversial figure known for his anti-vaccine activism.
New York magazine, which attracts over 29 million unique visitors monthly to its website, emphasized in a statement:
"We regret this violation of our readers' trust."
The magazine has initiated a thorough third-party review of Nuzzi's work, although an initial internal assessment found no inaccuracies or evidence of bias. This situation has cast a shadow over Nuzzi's recent high-profile work, including a cover story featuring an interview with former President Donald Trump.
Nuzzi, who began her career as a political reporter for The Daily Beast in 2014 and has been named to Forbes' 30 Under 30 list in the media category, provided a statement to Status newsletter. She acknowledged that in early 2024, communication with a former reporting subject turned personal. Nuzzi asserted that during this period, she did not directly report on or use the subject as a source. She expressed regret for not immediately disclosing the situation to prevent the appearance of a conflict.
The timeline of events raises questions about Nuzzi's previous reporting on Kennedy. In November 2023, she authored a piece titled "The Mind-Bending Politics of RFK Jr.'s Spoiler Campaign," which included a detailed account of an interview with Kennedy. Subsequently, in March 2024, Nuzzi participated in a New York Times discussion about the state of the presidential campaign, where she mentioned Kennedy's polling performance.
A representative for Kennedy, who is married to actress Cheryl Hines of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" fame, stated that he had only met Nuzzi once for an interview. This claim contrasts with the implications of a more extensive relationship.
As this situation unfolds, it highlights the critical importance of journalistic integrity and transparency in maintaining reader trust. New York magazine, which has expanded into digital verticals like Vulture and The Strategist, now faces the challenge of addressing this ethical breach while preserving its reputation for quality journalism.