Major Legacy Media Outlet Accused of AI Plagiarism

The New York Times cuts ties with freelance writer who used AI to generate book review content.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 5:35pm

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The New York Times has severed ties with freelance writer Alex Preston after he admitted to using AI to generate content for a book review, which included unattributed passages lifted from another publication's review of the same book. This incident highlights the growing challenges legacy media outlets face in maintaining editorial integrity as AI technology becomes more advanced and accessible.

Why it matters

The use of AI to generate content for news articles raises serious ethical concerns around plagiarism, transparency, and public trust in journalism. As AI capabilities continue to evolve, media organizations must establish clear policies and safeguards to ensure the authenticity and originality of their reporting.

The details

When a reader alerted the New York Times that Preston's review of the book 'Watching Over Her' by Jean-Baptiste Andrea bore striking similarities to a review of the same book published in The Guardian, the Times confronted Preston. He admitted to using AI to assist in writing the review and acknowledged that the AI had incorporated unattributed passages from The Guardian's review. The Times said Preston's actions violated their standards, and they have since cut ties with him.

  • On April 1, 2026, the New York Times confirmed that they had severed their relationship with freelance writer Alex Preston.
  • In August 2025, Christobel Kent published a review of 'Watching Over Her' in The Guardian.

The players

The New York Times

A major legacy media outlet that has been at the forefront of journalism for decades, known for its high standards and commitment to factual reporting.

Alex Preston

A freelance writer who previously contributed to publications such as The Observer, The Financial Times, The Guardian, and The Economist, and has authored six books, including the recent release 'A Stranger in Corfu.'

Christobel Kent

A writer who published a review of the book 'Watching Over Her' in The Guardian in August 2025.

The Guardian

A prominent British newspaper that publishes high-quality journalism and book reviews.

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What’s next

The New York Times has stated that they will be reviewing their policies and procedures to ensure that similar incidents of AI-generated content and plagiarism do not occur in the future.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the growing challenges that legacy media outlets face in maintaining editorial integrity and public trust as AI technology becomes more advanced and accessible. It underscores the need for clear policies, robust fact-checking, and a commitment to transparency to ensure the authenticity and originality of journalistic content.