Margaret Sullivan

Washington, D.C.

Media columnist Education: Georgetown University; Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism Margaret Sullivan is the media columnist for The Washington Post. Before joining The Post, she was the New York Times public editor, and previously the chief editor of the Buffalo News, her hometown paper, where she started as a summer intern. She is a graduate of Georgetown University and Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. She was a member of the Pulitzer Prize board from 2011 to 2012, and was twice elected as a director of the American Society of Newspaper Editors, where she led the First Amendment committee. While living in Manhattan, Sullivan taught in the graduate schools of journalism at Columbia University and the City University of New York.

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Latest from Margaret Sullivan

Media
Perspective

Chris Cuomo’s ratings soared when he interviewed his brother last spring. Now that’s off-limits.

The CNN prime-time host created viral moments nightly when Gov. Cuomo appeared on his show. It’s a different story now as the elder Cuomo faces sexual harassment claims.

Mar 2, 2021

Media
Perspective

Some journalists are debating when it’s okay to use the n-word. But this one should be easy.

A Times reporter’s resignation and a podcaster’s suspension bring pushback on what should have been a long-settled discussion.

Feb 25, 2021

Media
Perspective

Defector.com’s journalistic experiment began with a staff walkout. It might actually be working.

The employee-owned site is self-sustaining and successful in its early stages.

Feb 21, 2021

Media
Perspective

The ‘audacious lie’ behind a hedge fund’s promise to sustain local journalism

Alden Global’s likely purchase of major newspapers in Chicago, Hartford, New York City and Orlando is dreadful news for those communities.

Feb 17, 2021

Media
Perspective

‘A moment of truth’? After years of Trump’s lies, amplified by MAGA media, that proved impossible for most Republicans

Despite overwhelming evidence, a pervasive culture of lying made it politically untenable for so many Republican senators to vote guilty.

Feb 14, 2021

Media
Perspective

The Jan. 6 images were already disturbing. The impeachment-trial video makes them terrifying.

By simply arranging clips of rage and violence in chronological order, the impeachment managers laid bare Trump’s culpability.

Feb 10, 2021

Media
Perspective

They may be at odds now. But Trump and CNN’s Jeff Zucker have always had one thing in common.

The impeachment trial starting Tuesday brings high stakes for two men with an interwoven history and a mutual obsession.

Feb 7, 2021

Media
Perspective

These local newspapers say Facebook and Google are killing them. Now they’re fighting back.

Could a David-and-Goliath battle getting underway in West Virginia offer a path for the entire media industry?

Feb 4, 2021

Media
Perspective

So you’re being held accountable? That’s not ‘cancel culture.’

Facing consequences for trying to overturn an election is not an assault on free speech.

Jan 31, 2021

Media
Perspective

Fox News is a hazard to our democracy. It’s time to take the fight to the Murdochs. Here’s how.

The company has forfeited its responsibilities to society. It’s time to push back, speaking the only language the owners understand.

Jan 24, 2021

About Margaret Sullivan

Margaret Sullivan is the media columnist for The Washington Post. Before joining The Post, she was the New York Times public editor, and previously the chief editor of the Buffalo News, her hometown paper, where she started as a summer intern. She is a graduate of Georgetown University and Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. She was a member of the Pulitzer Prize board from 2011 to 2012, and was twice elected as a director of the American Society of Newspaper Editors, where she led the First Amendment committee. While living in Manhattan, Sullivan taught in the graduate schools of journalism at Columbia University and the City University of New York.