Bill Keller, American journalist

Bill Keller, born on January 18, 1949, is a distinguished American journalist widely recognized for his significant contributions to investigative reporting and journalistic leadership. His career spans pivotal roles at influential organizations, including a transformative tenure at The New York Times and the founding of a groundbreaking non-profit newsroom dedicated to criminal justice.

Founding The Marshall Project: A Focus on Criminal Justice

In a notable chapter of his career, Bill Keller served as the founding editor-in-chief of The Marshall Project. This innovative non-profit organization, launched in 2014, is specifically dedicated to reporting on criminal justice in the United States. Its core mission involves producing high-quality, non-partisan journalism to create a deeper public understanding of the U.S. criminal justice system, from policing and prosecution to incarceration and rehabilitation. Under Keller's initial guidance, The Marshall Project quickly established itself as a vital voice, striving to illuminate systemic issues, hold power accountable, and provide essential context to one of the nation's most complex and often opaque sectors.

Leadership at The New York Times: Executive Editor and Columnist

Prior to his pioneering work with The Marshall Project, Keller built a formidable reputation over many years at The New York Times. He contributed as a thought-provoking columnist, offering insightful commentary on various national and international affairs. His most prominent role at the paper was serving as its executive editor from July 2003 until September 2011. As the highest-ranking editor, Keller held ultimate responsibility for the newsroom's editorial content, strategic direction, and journalistic integrity during a period of significant change and challenge for the media industry. On June 2, 2011, he announced his decision to step down from this demanding leadership position to transition into a full-time writing role. He was succeeded by Jill Abramson, who made history as the first woman to hold the executive editor post at The New York Times.

Pulitzer-Winning International Reporting from Moscow

Keller's international reporting career is particularly noteworthy. From 1986 to 1991, he was based in the Times's Moscow bureau, eventually ascending to the position of bureau chief. This period placed him at a unique vantage point during a momentous era in global history, encompassing the final, dramatic years of the Cold War and the tumultuous dissolution of the Soviet Union. His reporting offered critical insights into the political reforms of Perestroika and Glasnost, the economic struggles, and the societal shifts that ultimately led to the collapse of the Soviet empire. For his profound and insightful reporting during 1988, which illuminated the dramatic changes within the Soviet Union, Bill Keller was awarded the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting in 1989.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bill Keller

What is Bill Keller primarily known for?

Bill Keller is primarily known for his distinguished career as an American journalist, serving as the executive editor of The New York Times, and as the founding editor-in-chief of The Marshall Project, a non-profit dedicated to criminal justice reporting. He is also a Pulitzer Prize winner for his international reporting.

What is The Marshall Project's mission?

The Marshall Project is a non-profit news organization focused on producing high-quality, non-partisan journalism about the criminal justice system in the United States. Its mission is to create a deeper understanding of this complex system and to hold it accountable.

When was Bill Keller the executive editor of The New York Times?

Bill Keller served as the executive editor of The New York Times from July 2003 until September 2011.

What Pulitzer Prize did Bill Keller win and for what?

Bill Keller won the 1989 Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting. He received this award for his insightful and comprehensive reporting from the Soviet Union in 1988, covering the significant political and societal changes during the final years of the Cold War and the lead-up to the Soviet Union's dissolution.