Sources say a book deal based on reporter Rukmini Callimachi’s New York Times podcast “Caliphate” could blow up over alleged reporting lapses in the series.
“She has a big book deal with Penguin Random House based on ‘Caliphate,’ which is now in serious jeopardy,” a publishing insider said. The book deal has not been announced.
The Washington Post reported that Callimachi’s hit audio series is now “under investigation from a team of Times journalists.” A Times media column on Sunday reported that Callimachi “now faces intense criticism from inside the Times and out.” Callimachi is a star writer on terrorism who has been criticized by some experts.
The latest controversy came last month, when the main subject and source of “Caliphate” — a purported ISIS soldier — was arrested by Canadian authorities for allegedly pulling a hoax.
Reps for the Times and Penguin Random House did not get back to us.