Michael Kelly (editor)
Encyclopedia
Michael Thomas Kelly was an American journalist, a columnist for The Washington Post
, and an editor at The New Republic
, National Journal
, and The Atlantic. He came to prominence via his reporting on the first Gulf War
, but suffered professional embarrassment for his role in the Stephen Glass scandal at The New Republic. He died in 2003 while covering the invasion of Iraq
.
in 1991 for The New Republic; this served as the basis for his book Martyrs' Day: Chronicles of a Small War (1993).
In 1996 he became the editor of The New Republic
, where his protectiveness of his staffers—along with the criticisms he leveled against the publisher's friend, Al Gore—created friction with the magazine's management.
Writer Stephen Glass had been a major contributor under Kelly's editorship; Glass was later shown to have fabricated numerous stories, and falsified his notes and other backup materials; this was publicly apologized for by The New Republic after an investigation by Kelly's successor, Charles Lane
—which in turn was sparked by an expose of Glass in Forbes Online. Kelly, however, was Glass's editor before Forbes exposed the latter's falsehoods, and he was largely supportive of Glass. He even sent scathing letters to those who challenged the veracity of Glass's stories.
After losing his job at The New Republic, Kelly was hired by David G. Bradley
to run the National Journal
. Bradley was so pleased with Kelly's work that he hired Kelly to run The Atlantic Monthly
after Bradley purchased it in 1999.
and George W. Bush
's administration. Kelly was soft-spoken in his personal life, but alternately sharp-witted and fiery in his writing.
He was an outspoken critic of the anti-Iraq war
movement. He coined the term "fusion paranoia" to refer to a political convergence of left-wing and right-wing activists around anti-war issues and civil liberties
, which he claimed were motivated by a shared belief in conspiracism or anti-government views.
In September 2002, Kelly sharply criticized former vice president Al Gore
for a speech that condemned the Bush administration's efforts to generate support for the coming invasion of Iraq. In a column in The Washington Post
, Kelly said the speech was "wretched. It was vile. It was contemptible." He said Gore's speech "was one no decent politician could have delivered" and was "bereft of anything other than taunts and jibes and embarrassingly obvious lies."
, Kelly was travelling in a Humvee vehicle with a soldier from the 3rd Infantry Division when the vehicle was fired upon by Iraqi soldiers. The vehicle carrying Kelly and Army Staff Sergeant Wilbert Davis veered off an embankment and into a canal below. Both men died in the accident. Kelly was the first American reporter officially killed in action in Iraq.
.
in the 2003 film Shattered Glass.
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
, and an editor at The New Republic
The New Republic
The magazine has also published two articles concerning income inequality, largely criticizing conservative economists for their attempts to deny the existence or negative effect increasing income inequality is having on the United States...
, National Journal
National Journal
National Journal is a nonpartisan American weekly magazine that reports on the current political environment and emerging political and policy trends. National Journal was first published in 1969. Times Mirror owned the magazine from 1986 to 1997, when it was purchased by David G. Bradley...
, and The Atlantic. He came to prominence via his reporting on the first Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
, but suffered professional embarrassment for his role in the Stephen Glass scandal at The New Republic. He died in 2003 while covering the invasion of Iraq
2003 invasion of Iraq
The 2003 invasion of Iraq , was the start of the conflict known as the Iraq War, or Operation Iraqi Freedom, in which a combined force of troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland invaded Iraq and toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein in 21 days of major combat operations...
.
Career
Kelly reported on the Persian Gulf WarGulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
in 1991 for The New Republic; this served as the basis for his book Martyrs' Day: Chronicles of a Small War (1993).
In 1996 he became the editor of The New Republic
The New Republic
The magazine has also published two articles concerning income inequality, largely criticizing conservative economists for their attempts to deny the existence or negative effect increasing income inequality is having on the United States...
, where his protectiveness of his staffers—along with the criticisms he leveled against the publisher's friend, Al Gore—created friction with the magazine's management.
Writer Stephen Glass had been a major contributor under Kelly's editorship; Glass was later shown to have fabricated numerous stories, and falsified his notes and other backup materials; this was publicly apologized for by The New Republic after an investigation by Kelly's successor, Charles Lane
Charles Lane (journalist)
Charles "Chuck" Lane is an American journalist and editor who is a staff writer for The Washington Post. His articles are concerned chiefly with the activities and cases of the Supreme Court of the United States and judicial system. He was the lead editor of The New Republic from 1997 to 1999...
—which in turn was sparked by an expose of Glass in Forbes Online. Kelly, however, was Glass's editor before Forbes exposed the latter's falsehoods, and he was largely supportive of Glass. He even sent scathing letters to those who challenged the veracity of Glass's stories.
After losing his job at The New Republic, Kelly was hired by David G. Bradley
David G. Bradley
David G. Bradley is the owner of the Atlantic Media Company, which publishes several prominent news magazines and services including The Atlantic Monthly, National Journal, The Hotline and Government Executive...
to run the National Journal
National Journal
National Journal is a nonpartisan American weekly magazine that reports on the current political environment and emerging political and policy trends. National Journal was first published in 1969. Times Mirror owned the magazine from 1986 to 1997, when it was purchased by David G. Bradley...
. Bradley was so pleased with Kelly's work that he hired Kelly to run The Atlantic Monthly
The Atlantic Monthly
The Atlantic is an American magazine founded in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1857. It was created as a literary and cultural commentary magazine. It quickly achieved a national reputation, which it held for more than a century. It was important for recognizing and publishing new writers and poets,...
after Bradley purchased it in 1999.
Views
Kelly was very critical of the political establishment in both political parties, as well as of the power structure in Hollywood. He authored, for instance, a devastating critique of Ted Kennedy that ran in GQ in 1990 and was reprinted by that magazine upon Kennedy's death; he skewered Al Gore numerous times over the years. Kelly was a supporter of U.S. military intervention during both the Clinton AdministrationPresidency of Bill Clinton
The United States Presidency of Bill Clinton, also known as the Clinton Administration, was the executive branch of the federal government of the United States from January 20, 1993 to January 20, 2001. Clinton was the first Democratic president since Franklin D. Roosevelt to win a second full term...
and George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
's administration. Kelly was soft-spoken in his personal life, but alternately sharp-witted and fiery in his writing.
He was an outspoken critic of the anti-Iraq war
Opposition to the Iraq War
Significant opposition to the Iraq War occurred worldwide, both before and during the initial 2003 invasion of Iraq by the United States, United Kingdom, and smaller contingents from other nations, and throughout the subsequent occupation...
movement. He coined the term "fusion paranoia" to refer to a political convergence of left-wing and right-wing activists around anti-war issues and civil liberties
Civil liberties
Civil liberties are rights and freedoms that provide an individual specific rights such as the freedom from slavery and forced labour, freedom from torture and death, the right to liberty and security, right to a fair trial, the right to defend one's self, the right to own and bear arms, the right...
, which he claimed were motivated by a shared belief in conspiracism or anti-government views.
In September 2002, Kelly sharply criticized former vice president Al Gore
Al Gore
Albert Arnold "Al" Gore, Jr. served as the 45th Vice President of the United States , under President Bill Clinton. He was the Democratic Party's nominee for President in the 2000 U.S. presidential election....
for a speech that condemned the Bush administration's efforts to generate support for the coming invasion of Iraq. In a column in The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
, Kelly said the speech was "wretched. It was vile. It was contemptible." He said Gore's speech "was one no decent politician could have delivered" and was "bereft of anything other than taunts and jibes and embarrassingly obvious lies."
Death
On April 3, 2003, just a few weeks following the 2003 invasion of Iraq2003 invasion of Iraq
The 2003 invasion of Iraq , was the start of the conflict known as the Iraq War, or Operation Iraqi Freedom, in which a combined force of troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland invaded Iraq and toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein in 21 days of major combat operations...
, Kelly was travelling in a Humvee vehicle with a soldier from the 3rd Infantry Division when the vehicle was fired upon by Iraqi soldiers. The vehicle carrying Kelly and Army Staff Sergeant Wilbert Davis veered off an embankment and into a canal below. Both men died in the accident. Kelly was the first American reporter officially killed in action in Iraq.
The Michael Kelly Award
The Michael Kelly Award is for "The Fearless Pursuit and Expression of Truth"; the prize is $25,000 for the winner and $3,000 for the 3 (previously 4) runners-up. It is sponsored by the Atlantic Media CompanyAtlantic Media Company
Atlantic Media Company is a print and online media company owned by David G. Bradley and based in the Watergate in Washington, D.C. The company publishes several prominent news magazines and services including The Atlantic and Government Executive and those belonging to its National Journal Group...
.
| Year | Winner | Finalists |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Anthony Shadid Anthony Shadid Anthony Shadid is a foreign correspondent for The New York Times based in Baghdad and Beirut. He has won the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting twice, in 2004 and 2010.-Career:... |
Dan Christensen; Tom Junod Tom Junod Tom Junod is an American journalist. He is the recipient of two National Magazine Awards from the American Society of Magazine Editors.-Background and education:... ; John Lantigua; George Packer George Packer George Packer is an American journalist, novelist and playwright.-Biography:Packer's parents, Nancy Packer and Herbert Packer, were both academics at Stanford University; his maternal grandfather was George Huddleston, a congressman from Alabama. His sister, Ann Packer, is also a writer... |
| 2005 | Nicholas D. Kristof Nicholas D. Kristof Nicholas Donabet Kristof is an American journalist, author, op-ed columnist, and a winner of two Pulitzer Prizes. He has written an op-ed column for The New York Times since November 2001 and is known for bringing to light human rights abuses in Asia and Africa, such as human trafficking and the... |
David Grann David Grann David Grann is an American literary journalist and best-selling author. He has written about a range of subjects, from New York City's antiquated water supply system to the hunt for giant squid to the U.S... ; Kim Murphy; Maximillian Potter; Elizabeth Rubin |
| 2006 | Sharon LaFraniere Sharon LaFraniere Sharon Veronica LaFraniere is an American journalist who has covered southern Africa and China for The New York Times.LaFraniere previously wrote for The Washington Post from Moscow.... |
Kurt Eichenwald Kurt Eichenwald Kurt Alexander Eichenwald , an American writer and investigative reporter formerly with The New York Times and later with Condé Nast's business magazine, Portfolio... ; James Risen James Risen James Risen is a Pulitzer Prize-winning American journalist for The New York Times who previously worked for the Los Angeles Times. He has written or co-written many articles concerning U.S... ; Eric Lichtblau Eric Lichtblau Eric Lichtblau is an American journalist and Washington bureau reporter for The New York Times.-Life:Lichtblau joined The Times in September 2002 as a correspondent covering the Justice Department. Previously, Lichtblau worked at the Los Angeles Times for 15 years, where he also covered the Justice... ; Chris Rose Chris Rose (journalist) Chris Rose is a New Orleans, Louisiana, writer. For years best known for light-hearted writing in the Times-Picayune, he gained greater attention for his chronicles of the effect of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans since 2005. He left the paper in late 2009, and joined the New Orleans alternative... ; Cam Simpson Cam Simpson Cam Simpson is a reporter for the Wall Street Journal.He was a foreign correspondent for the Chicago Tribune.-Awards:*2003 George Polk Award, National Reporting*2005 George Polk Award, International Reporting *2010 Michael Kelly Award finalist... |
| 2007 | C. J. Chivers C. J. Chivers Christopher John Chivers is an American journalist and author who reports for The New York Times. In the summer of 2007, he was named the newspaper's Moscow bureau chief, replacing Steven Lee Myers. He won a Pulitzer Prize in 2009 as part of a team of New York Times reporters and photographers... |
Rukmini Maria Callimachi Rukmini Maria Callimachi Rukmini Maria Callimachi is a Romanian-American journalist and poet.-Life:She left Romania during the communist regime with her mother, father and grandmother, for Switzerland and then the United States.... ; Jesse Hamilton; William Langewiesche William Langewiesche William Langewiesche is an American author and journalist, and was a professional airplane pilot for many years. Since 2006 he has been the international correspondent for Vanity Fair magazine.-Career:... ; Charles Forelle Charles Forelle Charles Forelle is an American business journalist for the Wall Street Journal.He graduated from Phillips Academy, and from Yale University in 2002, and he was managing editor of the Yale Daily News.... , James Bandler, and Mark Maremont; Steve Stecklow |
| 2008 | Loretta Tofani Loretta Tofani Loretta Tofani is a Pulitzer Prize-winning American journalist.-Life:Tofani earned a bachelor’s degree from Fordham University in 1975 and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of California, Berkeley... |
Kelly Kennedy; Joshua Kors Joshua Kors Joshua Kors is an investigative reporter for The Nation. He covers military and veterans' issues.-Life:Kors is from Walnut Creek, California, where he attended Las Lomas High School... ; Tom Vanden Brook; Peter Eisler; Blake Morrison Blake Morrison Philip Blake Morrison is a British poet and author who has published in a wide range of fiction and non-fiction genres. His greatest success came with the publication of his memoirs And When Did You Last See Your Father? which won the J. R. Ackerley Prize for Autobiography. He has also written a... |
| 2009 | Barry Bearak Barry Bearak Barry Leon Bearak is a Pulitzer Prize winning American journalist and professor of journalism who has worked as a reporter and correspondent for The Miami Herald, The Los Angeles Times, and The New York Times. He also taught journalism as a visiting professor at the Columbia University Graduate... ; Celia W. Dugger; Richard Behar Richard Behar Richard Behar is an award-winning American investigative journalist who has written on the staffs of leading magazines including Forbes, Time and Fortune over a 22-year period from 1982-2004. His work has also appeared on CNN and PBS... ; Peter Godwin |
|
| 2010 | David S. Rohde David S. Rohde David Stephenson Rohde is an American author and investigative journalist for Thomson Reuters. While a reporter for The Christian Science Monitor, he won the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting in 1996 for his coverage of the Srebrenica massacre. From July 2002 until December 2004, he was... |
Ken Bensinger and Ralph Vartabedian; Sheri Fink Sheri Fink Dr. Sheri Fink is an American journalist and a reporter on subjects covering health, medicine and science. Her articles appeared in a number of high profiled publications such as the New York Times, Discover and Scientific American.-Life:... ; Jeffrey Gettleman Jeffrey Gettleman Jeffrey A. Gettleman is an American journalist who has been the East Africa bureau chief for The New York Times, based in Nairobi, Kenya, since 2006.-Early Life:... |
| 2011 | Mandy Locke and Joseph Neff | Emily Bazelon Emily Bazelon Emily Bazelon is an American journalist, senior editor for online magazine Slate, and a senior research fellow at Yale Law School. Her work as a writer focuses on law, abortion, and family issues.-Journalism career:... ; John Bowe John Bowe (author) John Bowe is the author and editor of three books: ; ; and Gig: Americans Talk About Their Jobs. He is a contributing writer for the New York Times. He has also written for The New Yorker, The American Prospect, GQ, McSweeney’s and This American Life... ; Jonathan M. Katz |
Popular culture
Kelly was portrayed by actor Hank AzariaHank Azaria
Henry Albert "Hank" Azaria is an American film, television and stage actor, director, voice actor, and comedian. He is noted for being one of the principal voice actors on the animated television series The Simpsons , on which he performs the voices of Moe Szyslak, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, Chief...
in the 2003 film Shattered Glass.
External links
- List of Kelly columns 1999–2003 at Jewish World ReviewJewish World ReviewJewish World Review is a free, online magazine updated Monday through Friday , which seeks to appeal to "people of faith and those interested in learning more about contemporary Judaism from Jews who take their religion seriously."It carries informational articles related to Judaism, dozens of...