But they didn't fire the reporter, did they?

 

USA Today has removed 23 news stories from its website following an internal audit which found that a reporter who wrote them had misattributed quotes and may have made up interviews and sources.  
Gabriela Miranda who was the newspaper's 'breaking news reporter' has since resigned from her post. 
Meanwhile, USA Today has removed the almost two dozen stories that she wrote between spring 2021 and 2022. Users clicking on the links are greeted with the message: 'This story has been removed from our platforms because it does not meet our standards.'  

The company revealed that it had conducted an investigation into Miranda's reporting following an  'external correction request', but did not elaborate further. 

The audit was then widened to look at a broader stretch of her reporting with a focus on trending topics and viral stories.

'The audit revealed that some individuals quoted were not affiliated with the organizations claimed and appeared to be fabricated,' the newspaper explained in a statement. 'The existence of other individuals quoted could not be independently verified. In addition, some stories included quotes that should have been credited to others.'

USA Today found Miranda took steps to deceive investigators and produced false evidence of her news gathering, including recordings of interviews, reports the New York Times. 

Miranda's first story for USA Today was published in spring 2021, while her most recent piece was in April about a cargo ship stuck that became stuck in the Chesapeake Bay. That article has not has not been retracted. 

Articles that were removed include coverage related to Texas’ ban on abortion after six weeks, the reaction of women in Ukraine to the Russian invasion and a guide to sunscreen. 

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