Leonard Downie Jr.

Leonard Downie Jr. is the Weil Family Professor of Journalism at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Arizona State University (ASU). He previously served as Executive Editor of The Washington Post (1991–2008), overseeing its award-winning coverage, including 25 Pulitzer Prizes during his tenure. His career spans 44 years at The Post, where he held roles such as investigative reporter, managing editor, and London correspondent. He played a key role in supervising the Watergate coverage as Deputy Metro Editor.

Education: Downie holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in journalism from The Ohio State University, alongside an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the same institution.

Research & Interests: His work focuses on journalism ethics, media’s societal role, and democratic accountability. He authored seven books, including *The New Muckrakers* and *The News About the News*, exploring investigative reporting and media challenges. He also contributed special reports on the Obama and Trump administrations’ press relations.

Teaching: At ASU, he teaches courses like 'Accountability in Journalism' (MCO 544/JMC 444), emphasizing journalistic responsibility and media scrutiny of power. He maintains a presence in Washington, D.C., while contributing to academic discourse on media evolution.

Labs/Teams: Active in the Cronkite School’s initiatives, though specific lab affiliations are not detailed. He chairs the board of advisers for Kaiser Health News and co-founded Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE).