Ben Bradlee
Ben Bradlee
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Benjamin Charles Bradlee was a renowned American journalist and editor.
Birth and Death Dates
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Bradlee was born on August 26, 1921, in Boston, Massachusetts. He passed away on October 16, 2014, at the age of 93.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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American; Journalist, Editor
Ben Bradlee's illustrious career spanned over six decades, during which he worked as a journalist, editor, and publisher for several prominent newspapers. He is most famously known for his role as the executive editor of The Washington Post from 1968 to 1991.
Early Life and Background
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Bradlee was born into a wealthy family in Boston's Beacon Hill neighborhood. His father, Frederick Josiah Bradlee III, was a prominent lawyer and politician who served as the president of the Massachusetts State Senate. Ben's mother, Josephine 'Josie' Anne (née) Paine, came from a socially prominent family.
Bradlee attended Harvard University, where he studied history and literature. However, due to his poor eyesight, he dropped out after two years. During World War II, Bradlee enlisted in the U.S. Navy, eventually serving on the USS _Bunker Hill_ during the Battle of Okinawa.
Major Accomplishments
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Bradlee's journalistic career was marked by several notable achievements:
He began his reporting career at The Washington Post in 1948 and worked under legendary editor Philip Graham.
Bradlee played a crucial role in exposing the Pentagon Papers, a secret study about the Vietnam War. This exposé, published in 1971, significantly contributed to the country's growing anti-war sentiment.
Under his leadership as executive editor of The Washington Post from 1968 to 1991, the newspaper won four Pulitzer Prizes for its coverage of the Watergate scandal.Notable Works or Actions
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Some notable works and actions by Bradlee include:
Publishing the Pentagon Papers: In 1971, Bradlee approved the publication of a series based on secret documents about U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.
Breaking the Watergate Story: In 1972 and 1973, The Washington Post published several articles detailing President Richard Nixon's administration's involvement in the Watergate scandal.Impact and Legacy
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Ben Bradlee's impact on journalism is undeniable:
He played a pivotal role in shaping public opinion about the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal.
His leadership at The Washington Post during this period cemented its reputation as one of America's most respected newspapers.
Bradlee's legacy extends beyond his achievements as a journalist; he also mentored many notable journalists, including Bob Woodward.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Ben Bradlee is widely remembered and quoted for several reasons:
Integrity in Journalism: He embodied the spirit of investigative journalism and remained committed to uncovering the truth.
Courage in Publishing Controversial Stories: Bradlee's decision to publish the Pentagon Papers and Watergate scandal stories set a high standard for journalists and media outlets around the world.
Ben Bradlee's remarkable life, marked by integrity, courage, and dedication to journalistic excellence, serves as an enduring testament to his impact on American journalism. His contributions continue to inspire generations of journalists and remain an essential part of U.S. history.
Quotes by Ben Bradlee
Cherchez la femme” is good advice for investigative reporters. “Follow the money” is even better advice.
But journalists thrive on not knowing exactly what the future holds. That’s part of the excitement. Something interesting, something important, will happen somewhere, as sure as God made sour apples, and a good aggressive newspaper will become part of that something.
I don’t want to disappoint too many people, but the number of interesting political, historical conversations we had, you could stick in your ear, it wasn’t that many. We talked about friends, family and of course girls.
Everybody who talks to a newspaper has a motive. That’s just a given. And good reporters always, repeat always, probe to find out what that motive is.
Maybe some of today’s papers have too many ‘feel-good’ features, but there is a lot of good news out there.
It’s very hard to stand up to the government which is saying that publication will threaten national security. People don’t seem to realize that reporters and editors know something about national security and care deeply about it.
If an investigative reporter finds out that someone has been robbing the store, that may be ‘gotcha’ journalism, but it’s also good journalism.
To hell with news! I’m no longer interested in news. I’m interested in causes. We don’t print the truth. We don’t pretend to print the truth. We print what people tell us. It’s up to the public to decide what’s true.
I do worry about how newspapers respond to falling circulation figures. I’m not sure that the answer is for newspapers to try to cater to whatever seems to be the fad of the day.
Sometimes I am convinced there is nothing wrong with this country that couldn’t be cured by the magical implantation of ethical standards on us all – leaders and followers. Until that becomes doable, the Center for Public Integrity is just about the best thing we have going for us.