New York Magazine Reviews Writer’s Work Amid Plagiarism Allegations
New York magazine is reviewing the past work of contract writer Ross Barkan after accusations of plagiarism. At least three of his articles contain passages similar to other published works.
Key Incidents
An article on Ben Shapiro published this week copied opening paragraphs from a Washington Post piece by Drew Harwell. After this was noted on social media, the magazine updated the article to credit Harwell.
NPR identified two additional instances where Barkan partially copied paragraphs from articles in The Intercept and Compact Magazine. The similar sections include identical sequences of about 30 words or near-identical passages with minor word changes.
Statements
New York magazine spokesperson Lauren Starke stated: "We are conducting a review of the writer's prior work."
Compact Magazine editor Matthew Schmitz posted on X condemning what he called Barkan's "heavily plagiarized" article and called on the magazine to address the issue.
Barkan did not deny using other writers' work. He argued that hyperlinking to the original pieces or naming the author constituted sufficient credit. On X, he wrote about writer Juan David Rojas: "I am allowed, as a columnist building on his reporting, to cite facts. Especially when he's credited."
Edward Wasserman, professor of journalism at UC Berkeley, said using large portions of someone else's writing word-for-word without quotation marks is generally considered plagiarism. He added: "This kind of laziness is a real embarrassment to the publication."
In an emailed statement, Barkan called the allegations "quite ridiculous," adding: "I have written hundreds upon hundreds of columns, essays, and pieces of journalism in my career. I stand by my record."
Background
- Barkan, 36, ran for a New York state senate seat in 2018 and lost the Democratic primary.
- He contributes to New York magazine, Crain's New York, The New York Times, and other publications.
- In 2023, he published two books: a novel and a book on political disorder.
- A book on New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani is scheduled for release in October.