Johann Hari suspended from the Independent over plagiarism claims

Interviewer and columnist has been suspended for two months pending outcome of internal investigation Johann Hari, the Independent interviewer and columnist accused of plagiarism , has been suspended. Hari was suspended on Tuesday for two months pending the outcome of an internal investigation by former Independent editor Andreas Whittam-Smith. He seemed to have survived the initial plagiarism allegations last month, but is now facing separate claims of “sock puppetry” – that he used an online comment alias to hit back at fellow journalists who had criticised his work. It is understood both allegations will be considered by Whittam-Smith. Chris Blackhurst, who replaced Simon Kelner as editor of the Independent earlier this month , said: “Johann Hari has been suspended for two months pending the outcome of an internal enquiry. We have no further comment to make.” More details soon… • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email editor@mediaguardian.co.uk or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly “for publication”. • To get the latest media news to your desktop or mobile, follow MediaGuardian on Twitter and Facebook The Independent Independent News & Media Newspapers & magazines National newspapers Newspapers Jason Deans guardian.co.uk

Posted by on July 12, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.