The episodes of “Caliphate” that presented Mr. Chaudhry’s claims did not meet our standards for accuracy.
…
In the absence of firmer evidence, “Caliphate” should have been substantially revised to exclude the material related to Mr. Chaudhry. The podcast as a whole should not have been produced with Mr. Chaudhry as a central narrative character.
đź“‘ A Riveting ISIS Story, Told in a Times Podcast, Falls Apart
A Canadian’s gruesome account as an Islamic State executioner in Syria, which was the subject of the “Caliphate” podcast by The New York Times, was fabricated, officials say. A Times review found no corroboration of his claim to have committed atrocities.
With the discovery that Abu Huzayfah account (whose real name is Shehroze Chaudhry) was a hoax, the New York Times made the following announcement about the Caliphate podcast: