NY Reporter Olivia Nuzzi on Leave Amid Disclosure of Relationship \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ New York Magazine’s Washington correspondent Olivia Nuzzi has taken a leave of absence after disclosing a personal relationship with a former reporting subject, reportedly Robert F. Kennedy Jr., although Nuzzi has not confirmed his involvement. The relationship began after a November 2023 profile on Kennedy and ended in August 2024. While an internal review found no bias or inaccuracies in her work, New York Magazine is conducting a third-party investigation into the matter.
Olivia Nuzzi Takes Leave from New York Magazine: Quick Looks
- Relationship Disclosure: New York Magazine’s Olivia Nuzzi is on leave after revealing a personal relationship with a former reporting subject, reportedly Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- Timeline: Nuzzi’s relationship allegedly began after publishing a November 2023 profile on Kennedy and ended in August 2024.
- Magazine Response: New York Magazine stated the relationship, had they known, would have disqualified Nuzzi from reporting on the 2024 presidential campaign.
- No Bias Found: An internal review found no inaccuracies or evidence of bias in her reporting, but a third-party investigation is ongoing.
- Nuzzi’s Apology: Nuzzi expressed regret, stating the relationship, though not physical, should have been disclosed to avoid any appearance of conflict.
NY Reporter Olivia Nuzzi Deep Look:
Olivia Nuzzi, the highly regarded Washington correspondent for New York Magazine, has taken a leave of absence after disclosing a personal relationship with a former subject she had reported on. The magazine’s editor-in-chief, David Haskell, informed staff that Nuzzi revealed the relationship began in December 2023, after her November profile of the subject was published, and ended in August 2024. While the newsletter Status and The New York Times have cited unnamed sources identifying the subject as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Nuzzi has not confirmed this, and Kennedy himself said he had only met her once.
The situation has raised concerns about journalistic ethics and transparency at New York Magazine, which is now conducting a third-party review of Nuzzi’s work. Despite this, an internal investigation found no evidence of bias or inaccuracies in her reporting. Still, the magazine acknowledged the breach of trust, stating in a note that, had they known about the relationship, Nuzzi would not have been permitted to cover the 2024 presidential campaign.
Disclosure and Apology
In a statement to Status, Nuzzi explained that early in 2024, communication between herself and a former reporting subject became personal. She emphasized that during that time, she did not report on the individual or use them as a source. While the relationship was not physical, Nuzzi admitted that it should have been disclosed to prevent the appearance of a conflict of interest. “I deeply regret not doing so immediately,” she said, apologizing to her colleagues and readers for the oversight.
Haskell noted that New York Magazine’s editors learned about the personal nature of Nuzzi’s relationship just days before the disclosure. He also stated that the relationship ended in August 2024.
The Profile in Question
Nuzzi’s profile of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., titled “The Mind-Bending Politics of RFK Jr.’s Spoiler Campaign,” was published in November 2023. In the piece, she detailed an interview with Kennedy that included a tense car ride and hike with Kennedy and his dogs. The story painted a complex picture of Kennedy’s presidential campaign, which has drawn attention for its controversial stances and outsider appeal.
In a March 2024 piece for The New York Times, Nuzzi mentioned Kennedy while discussing the dynamics of the presidential race, noting that his polling numbers were competitive at the time. Despite this, a representative for Kennedy told Status that he had only met Nuzzi once for the interview that resulted in what he called a “hit piece.”
Fallout and Broader Impact
The fallout from the disclosure extends beyond New York Magazine. Ryan Lizza, a reporter for Politico and Nuzzi’s ex-fiancé, wrote in Politico’s Playbook newsletter that, due to his personal connection to Nuzzi, he would refrain from covering Kennedy in any capacity at Politico. Lizza’s decision underscores the potential conflicts of interest that can arise in the close-knit world of political journalism.
New York Magazine’s decision to place Nuzzi on leave comes at a critical time, as her recent coverage of the 2024 presidential campaign, including a profile of Donald Trump, has garnered significant attention. Haskell announced that online versions of Nuzzi’s Trump interview, as well as a piece on Joe Biden from earlier in the year, will include notes explaining the situation to readers.
The magazine’s decision to initiate a third-party review indicates its commitment to maintaining journalistic integrity, especially in a time of heightened scrutiny on the press. The situation has drawn attention from across the media landscape, further intensifying the conversation around ethics and transparency in political reporting.
Moving Forward
While Nuzzi remains on leave, New York Magazine is navigating how best to address the ethical breach and restore reader trust. As the third-party review progresses, the outcome could have lasting implications for Nuzzi’s career and the magazine’s reputation.
In a highly competitive media environment, this situation serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and ethics in journalism, particularly when covering high-stakes political campaigns. For now, the focus will remain on the results of the third-party review and any further developments related to Nuzzi’s work and the alleged relationship.
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