The Public Editor

Margaret Sullivan is the fifth public editor appointed by The New York Times. The public editor works outside of the reporting and editing structure of the newspaper and receives and answers questions or comments from readers and the public, principally about news and other coverage in The Times. Her opinions and conclusions are her own. Read More >

Public Editors' Columns and Blog Posts

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Should The Times Have Been a Tougher Watchdog in Flint?

By MARGARET SULLIVAN

The Times wrote early about the problems, but then dropped the subject for many months

January 27, 2016, Wednesday

Facts, Fairness, and the Election

By MARGARET SULLIVAN

As voters prepare to cast their first ballots, a look at how The Times is covering the race.

January 24, 2016, Sunday

Perfectly Reasonable Question: Why Use an Old Photo?

By MARGARET SULLIVAN

An editor explains the reason behind publishing a 2002 photo with a news story about a recent Jakarta bombing.

January 21, 2016, Thursday

Perfectly Reasonable Question: What Happened to Syndicated Cartoons?

By MARGARET SULLIVAN

The Times prefers to focus on original work, the top opinion editor says.

January 20, 2016, Wednesday

Lopping Off Stars for Per Se: The Back Story

By MARGARET SULLIVAN

Readers feel “populist schadenfreude” after a top restaurant was downgraded by The Times’s restaurant critic.

January 15, 2016, Friday

A Media Columnist Who Will Name Names

By MARGARET SULLIVAN

Jim Rutenberg is a strong choice to succeed David Carr.

January 13, 2016, Wednesday

Story Approval by Drug Lord? Times Editors Discuss Rolling Stone Case

By MARGARET SULLIVAN

Sean Penn’s interview with the drug kingpin El Chapo was a “great get” of a story, but Times editors would have walked away from the interview, they say.