The Olivia Nuzzi-RFK Jr. Story Unfolds: New York Magazine Staff Wonders

• The Olivia Nuzzi-RFK Jr. scandal has sent shockwaves through New York magazine.
• The magazine put Nuzzi on leave after her relationship with RFK Jr. surfaced.
• Its parent company, Vox Media, is taking a hand in the matter, issuing a warning letter to staff.

The unfolding scandal involving Olivia Nuzzi and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has sent ripples through the media landscape. Over the past week, as more details emerged, those within New York magazine began to reckon with the potential repercussions.

Recently, the magazine announced that it had placed Nuzzi, its prominent Washington correspondent, on leave after her relationship with Kennedy, who previously ran for president, came to light while she was covering the presidential race. In an official note to readers, New York characterized the situation as a “violation of the magazine’s standards around conflicts of interest and disclosures.”

According to Oliver Darcy, who reported the story in his newsletter, Status, the relationship began after Nuzzi published a profile of Kennedy in November 2023. It’s noted that she continued her reporting on the presidential campaign following that, with her latest piece focusing on Donald Trump, published on September 9. Nuzzi later told The New York Times that the nature of her relationship with Kennedy was not physical. Neither she nor Kennedy immediately commented to Business Insider.

“Had the magazine been aware of this relationship, she would not have continued to cover the presidential campaign,” New York’s statement explained. “An internal review of her published work has found no inaccuracies or evidence of bias. She is currently on leave from the magazine, and the magazine is conducting a more thorough third-party review. We regret this violation of our readers’ trust.”

Details surrounding the third-party review, including who is conducting it and what it aims to uncover, remain unclear.

Within the New York magazine newsroom, many employees expressed shock and concern over Nuzzi’s situation. Several staff members questioned whether her career could withstand this scandal and expressed bewilderment as to why she was not immediately dismissed despite the stated violation of standards. While some colleagues expressed sympathy for Nuzzi, others condemned her choices. These employees requested anonymity due to fears of potential backlash, although their identities have been verified.

The atmosphere within the newsroom is tense, with many employees questioning if Nuzzi’s editors had let her transgress too many boundaries. Concerns were raised about how the entire situation could affect the magazine’s reputation. Some insiders said they understood the leadership’s reluctance to address these questions while an investigation is in progress, but noted that, as journalists, they craved transparency.

Employee discussions have been hampered by communication restrictions. Staff received a memo from Brian Leung, Vox Media’s general counsel, urging them not to engage in discussions about Nuzzi or to share any correspondence regarding the matter, indicating that the parent company is closely managing the situation.

Staff members are left in suspense, awaiting further communication from David Haskell, the magazine’s editor in chief, who postponed a scheduled all-hands meeting. This marks a crucial moment for Haskell, who has been with the magazine since 2007 and became editor in chief in 2019.

Nuzzi is a significant figure at the magazine, well-known and prominent. However, her reporting methods have often attracted scrutiny. For instance, she faced criticism previously for entering Corey Lewandowski’s home without permission. Furthermore, reactions to her personal life have raised concerns about sexism in coverage regarding her actions.

The situation unfolds against a backdrop of challenges faced by the US news industry, including growing public distrust, scrutiny during the Trump era, and financial struggles. Additionally, it comes at a time when New York magazine has been enjoying a relatively stable period, having garnered numerous awards and drawn attention with adaptations of its journalism into other media formats.

While New York expanded its fashion vertical earlier this year to meet advertiser demand, the incident involving Nuzzi casts a shadow over its previously steady reputation.

Source: Business Insider