Margaret Sullivan (journalist)

Margaret Sullivan (born January 15, 1957) is an American journalist and author. She is best known for her roles as a public editor and media columnist.

Sullivan served as the fifth public editor of The New York Times from September 2012 to August 2016. In this role, she acted as the readers' representative, investigating and responding to concerns about the newspaper's journalism, ethics, and accuracy. Her columns addressed issues ranging from coverage of political campaigns to the use of anonymous sources.

Following her tenure at The New York Times, Sullivan became a media columnist for The Washington Post in 2016, a position she held until 2022. In this role, she wrote extensively about the media landscape, including the rise of disinformation, the challenges facing local news, and the role of journalism in a polarized society.

Before joining The New York Times, Sullivan was the editor and vice president of The Buffalo News from 1999 to 2012, making her the first woman to hold that position. During her time there, the newspaper won a Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting. She began her career at the same newspaper as a summer intern and held various reporting and editing positions.

Sullivan has authored several books, including Ghosting the News: Local Journalism and the Crisis of American Democracy (2020) and Newsroom Confidential: Lessons (and Worries) from an Ink-Stained Life (2022). These works explore the evolving media industry and the challenges facing journalists in the 21st century.

Sullivan's work is characterized by its critical analysis of media practices and its advocacy for ethical and responsible journalism. She has received numerous awards and recognition for her contributions to the field.