New York Magazine is conducting an investigation into writer Ross Barkan for plagiarism following allegations that he reproduced portions of his work from other journalists without proper attribution. The investigation comes after Washington Post reporter Drew Harwell publicly noted on social media that a lede paragraph in Barkan's article about The Daily Wire was nearly identical to one Harwell had published days earlier.

Barkan, who has written for both New York Magazine and The New York Times, ran unsuccessfully as a Democratic candidate for the New York State Senate in 2018. Following the initial plagiarism accusation, New York Magazine updated his story to credit Harwell's original work, according to NPR reporting.

What the Right Is Saying

Conservative outlets, including The Daily Wire whose coverage Barkan wrote about, have emphasized what they characterize as hypocrisy among liberal media figures who criticize conservative journalism while themselves facing plagiarism allegations. The publication that originally reported on this story frames Barkan's article as a "hit piece" against The Daily Wire.

Media commentators on the right note that the incident raises broader questions about standards in progressive media circles and whether political alignment should affect how plagiarism is evaluated or reported by other outlets.

What the Left Is Saying

Progressive commentators and media critics have largely condemned Barkan's actions regardless of political alignment. Some liberal journalists have argued that plagiarism accusations against a writer targeting conservative outlets complicate the discourse around media ethics. Critics note that Barkan himself has been vocal about journalistic standards in other contexts, making the allegations particularly notable.

Barkan defended his approach on social media platforms, stating he was "allowed, as a columnist building on his reporting, to cite facts" and arguing that crediting sources resolves attribution concerns. He told NPR in a statement: "I have written hundreds upon hundreds of columns, essays, and pieces of journalism in my career. I stand by my record."

What the Numbers Show

According to NPR reporting, New York Magazine spokesperson Lauren Starke stated the magazine is "conducting a review of the writer's prior work." In addition to the Washington Post lede comparison flagged by Harwell, NPR identified at least two additional instances where Barkan allegedly reproduced paragraphs from The Intercept and Compact Magazine. The Washington Post story referencing the initial similarity was posted on May 14, 2026.

Barkan has published hundreds of columns and essays across multiple major publications throughout his career, according to his own account in statements to NPR.

The Bottom Line

New York Magazine's investigation into Barkan remains ongoing, with no formal findings announced as of this reporting. The case highlights ongoing debates about journalistic sourcing practices and attribution standards in digital media. What happens next will likely depend on the outcome of New York Magazine's review of Barkan's previous work. Readers following this story should note that plagiarism allegations against a journalist do not inherently validate or invalidate the content of any specific article they have written.