Scammers appropriate website of defunct Oregon paper to publish AI slop

The proliferation of AI-generated fake news websites is threatening local journalism, as demonstrated by scammers who hijacked the defunct Ashland Daily Tidings’ digital presence to create a fraudulent news operation.

The takeover scheme: A group of scammers appropriated the website of the Ashland Daily Tidings, a historic Oregon newspaper that closed in 2023 after operating since 1876, to create a deceptive news operation.

• The fraudulent website claimed to employ eight reporters, but investigation revealed these were either fictional personas or stolen identities
• Content was primarily AI-generated, consisting of plagiarized local news stories that were automatically rewritten
• The operation aimed to generate advertising revenue through clickbait and false content

Technical manipulation: The scammers employed sophisticated digital tactics to create an appearance of legitimacy while maximizing profit.

• AI technology was used to mass-produce articles by rewriting existing local news content
• The operation successfully attracted advertising from major companies, including Google
• After being alerted to the fraud, Google took steps to address the situation, though the specific actions weren’t detailed

Industry context: This incident occurs against a backdrop of declining local journalism across Oregon and the United States.

• Many local newspapers are closing or significantly reducing staff
• The vacuum left by shuttered news outlets creates opportunities for bad actors to exploit community trust
• Local nonprofit news organizations, like Ashland.news, are working to maintain legitimate journalism through community engagement

Economic implications: The financial model of local journalism faces increasing pressure from technological manipulation.

• Scammers can generate revenue through automated content creation and ad placement
• Legitimate news organizations must compete with fraudulent sites for advertising dollars
• The cost efficiency of AI-generated content poses challenges for human-produced local journalism

Emerging threats: The Ashland Daily Tidings case reveals evolving challenges at the intersection of journalism, technology, and trust.

• The sophistication of AI tools makes detecting fraudulent content increasingly difficult
• Community newspapers are particularly vulnerable to digital impersonation after closure
• The incident demonstrates how easily established news brands can be co-opted for deceptive purposes

Looking ahead: As AI technology becomes more sophisticated, the challenge of maintaining authentic local journalism while combating fraudulent news operations will likely intensify, requiring new strategies for verification and community trust-building.