James Bennet

James Bennet. He is an American journalist and editor best known for his senior leadership roles at two of the nation's most prominent publications. Bennet served as the editorial page editor of The New York Times and later as the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic. His career, marked by significant editorial influence, was ultimately defined by a high-profile controversy during his tenure at the Times that led to his resignation.

Early life and education

Born in Boston, he is the son of former United States Senator Douglas Bennet and the nephew of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He attended the prestigious St. Albans School in Washington, D.C.. Bennet later earned his undergraduate degree from Yale University, where he was a member of the Yale Daily News. His early journalistic work included reporting for The New Republic and serving as a correspondent for The Economist in Jerusalem.

Career at The New York Times

Bennet joined The New York Times in 2001 as a correspondent in the Washington, D.C. bureau, later becoming the paper's Jerusalem bureau chief. He distinguished himself with coverage of the Second Intifada and Middle Eastern politics. In 2006, he was appointed editor of The New York Times Magazine, overseeing a period of significant redesign and high-profile features. His leadership there led to his promotion in 2016 to the powerful role of editorial page editor, succeeding Andrew Rosenthal. In this position, he oversaw the editorial board, the Op-Ed section, and the international edition, International New York Times.

Editorial leadership at The Atlantic

While still at the Times, Bennet was named editor-in-chief of The Atlantic in 2016, succeeding James Fallows. He officially assumed the role in 2017, leaving his position at the Times. At The Atlantic, he presided over a period of dramatic digital growth and journalistic acclaim, overseeing major investigations and expanding the magazine's political and cultural coverage. His tenure saw the publication of impactful work on the Trump administration, and he hired prominent writers like Caitlin Flanagan and Anne Applebaum. Under his leadership, the magazine won multiple National Magazine Awards and significantly increased its subscription revenue.

Controversies and resignation

Bennet's tenure as editorial page editor of The New York Times ended abruptly in June 2020 following intense internal and public backlash over the publication of an Op-Ed by United States Senator Tom Cotton. The controversial piece, titled "Send In the Troops," advocated for the use of the U.S. military to quell civil unrest. Staff members, including many within the Times newsroom, protested that the essay contained factual inaccuracies and put journalists at risk. An internal review concluded the editorial process was rushed and flawed. Following the controversy, Bennet resigned from the Times, and his departure was announced by publisher A. G. Sulzberger.

Post-resignation activities

Following his resignation, Bennet has maintained a lower public profile. He has participated in discussions on media ethics at institutions like the Harvard Kennedy School and the Poynter Institute. In 2022, he wrote a lengthy essay for The Economist reflecting on the Tom Cotton op-ed controversy and the state of institutional journalism. He has also served as a contributing editor for The New York Review of Books and has been involved with various nonprofit journalism initiatives focused on editorial standards and free expression.

Category:American journalists Category:The New York Times people Category:The Atlantic people