Fake Journalists, Real Newspapers: Iran- and Russia-Linked Networks Used AI to Sneak Propaganda Into the News
OpenAI says an Iran-origin network used seven fake "journalist" bylines to place almost 100 articles in real outlets, while a Russian operation ran a fake think tank in Latin America. In our view, every editor and reader should take note.
By Clara Hughes
ALTAS WORLD NEWS OPINION | By Clara Hughes, Chief Opinion Editor | October 10, 2026 | 6-min read Imagine reading a thoughtful article about the U.S.-Iran conflict, written by what looks like an experienced Western foreign affairs journalist. Now imagine that the journalist does not exist. That, OpenAI says, is what happened with almost 100 articles. In a report released Thursday, the company said an Iran-origin operation used its ChatGPT models to refine articles and pitches under seven fake bylines, while a separate Russian operation ran a fake "think tank" in Latin America staffed by people who apparently did not know who they were working for [1][2]. In our view, this is a warning every newsroom and every reader should take seriously. Key Takeaways OpenAI identified almost 100 articles published or syndicated under the Iran-origin operation's bylines across roughly a dozen online outlets [1]. The Russian operation used a fake persona named "Mia Clark" to control a self-described research platform called the Social Research Center [1]. OpenAI rated the Russian campaign a Category 5, the second-highest level on a researchers' scale of influence-operation impact, and