Fraudulent AI-generated content appears on defunct Oregon newspaper’s website

A website impersonating the defunct Ashland Daily Tidings newspaper has been publishing AI-generated content while stealing identities of real journalists, according to an investigation by Ryan Haas of Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB). The website emerged after the legitimate newspaper ceased operations in 2023, featuring eight purported reporters who were either nonexistent or had their identities stolen from other publications. Among them was UK-based journalist Joe Minihane, who confirmed he had never written for the outlet.

The fraudulent operation appears to generate revenue through online advertising, using AI to rewrite stories from legitimate news sources while maintaining a facade of local journalism. Google has taken action by removing advertisements from pages that violated its policies, though ads continue to appear on the site’s main page. Former Ashland Daily Tidings owner Steve Saslow told OPB that attempts to pursue legal action against the operators proved futile, as they are likely based outside the United States.

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