• Business Insider (BI) reported on allegations of plagiarism against Neri Oxman, the wife of billionaire Bill Ackman.
  • BI, owned by Axel Springer, alleged Oxman plagiarized her doctoral dissertation.
  • Ackman, known for his anti-antisemitism activism and push to oust a Harvard president over plagiarism, reacted strongly against BI’s reports, suggesting hypocrisy.
  • Following this, Axel Springer announced a review of BI’s reporting process, which generated controversy and division within its ranks and raised questions about journalistic independence in the face of wealthy influence.

Who are these people/companies?

  • Axel Springer: A German publishing company that owns Business Insider, currently reviewing BI’s reporting processes.
  • Business Insider (BI): A financial-focused US outlet that reported on the plagiarism allegations against Neri Oxman.
  • Bill Ackman: Billionaire hedge fund manager, husband of Neri Oxman, who led campaigns against plagiarism and antisemitism on college campuses.
  • Neri Oxman: An Israeli-American designer, scientist, and former MIT professor accused of plagiarism in her doctoral dissertation.
  • Claudine Gay: Former Harvard University president ousted over plagiarism accusations, initially pressured by Bill Ackman.
  • MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology): Renowned academic institution where Neri Oxman was a professor.

Consensus:

  • BI reported Neri Oxman plagiarized parts of her dissertation.
  • Axel Springer announced a review of BI’s reporting after Bill Ackman’s outcry.
  • Some Axel Springer leaders questioned if reporting on Oxman was fair and worried about potential antisemitic interpretations.
  • Oxman admitted to citation errors and apologized.
  • There is division and concern among BI staff and the broader journalism community about the impact of wealth on media independence.

Contested Claims:

  • Accuracy of Plagiarism Accusations: BI claims Oxman committed extensive plagiarism; Oxman and Ackman claim most allegations are not accurate. They noted errors but disputed the extent and nature of claimed plagiarism. (CNN, The Guardian)
  • Antisemitism: Some Axel Springer leaders fear the report may seem antisemitic; others say this is not a valid concern. (Semafor, The Guardian, Ynet News)

Claims by a single publication:

  • Ackman’s call for review of journalists’ work appears retaliatory (Mediaite).
  • Ackman cited private equity firm KKR’s link to Axel Springer ownership to question BI’s ethics (Mediaite).
  • Ackman’s actions described as an attack on the freedom of press (The Guardian).

Sources:

  • Twitter [English]
  • Semafor [English]
  • Ynetnews [English]
  • CNN [English]
  • The Guardian [English]
  • Mediaite [English]

Links to sources:

https://www.semafor.com/article/01/07/2024/business-insiders-owners-clash-over-plagiarism-story
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h100pwwuua
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/01/08/media/business-insider-bill-ackman-reliable-sources/index.html
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/jan/09/bill-ackman-wife-plagiarism-media
https://www.mediaite.com/news/how-billionaires-flex-their-power-business-insiders-review-of-story-on-bill-ackmans-wife-sparks-fierce-backlash/