Unless it's something increibly long form, a genuine investigative piece, this nearly always means that variations (or sometimes the exact same) mostly pre-written 'pitch' was delivered to the email inbox of multiple client 'journalists'. But they all want the byline for the credibility for ~~more bootlicking press releases~~ continued access and editorial staff can't say only one or two people get the credit because they all got the same email.

Source: knowing former and current hacks, people who have been in NewsCorp staff meetings