Erik Wemple

Washington, D.C.

Media critic with a focus on the ups and downs and downs of the cable-news industry

Education: Hamilton College, BA in Government; Georgetown University, MS in Foreign Service

Erik Wemple has been doing journalism for and about Washington for more than two decades. He started out covering export controls, with an emphasis on the Commerce Department’s long-since-renamed Bureau of Export Administration. But then he took a liking to local affairs, which turned into a position as the Loose Lips columnist for Washington City Paper. Then came a stint covering Washington for a New York-based, media-obsessed product of the Internet bubble (Inside.com, now defunct). After eight years as editor of City Paper and another year as editor of TBD.com, he landed at The Washington P
Latest from Erik Wemple

Erik Wemple answers your questions on the media

Erik's chat with readers is at 12 p.m. ET on Monday, August 21. Submit your questions.

August 21, 2023

Is The New York Times’ elimination of its sports department part of a trend? I answered your questions on the media.

Erik's Q&A with readers was at 12 p.m. ET on Monday, July 10. Read the transcript.

July 10, 2023

What it takes to rupture Fox News’s wall of silence

Fox News paid $12 million to settle a former producer's lawsuit. The case shows what it takes for network employees to speak out.

July 6, 2023

As Fox News gears up for the 2024 election, 2020 still haunts it

Host presses former president Donald Trump on his legal troubles. Meanwhile, don't forget his less glorious past.

June 22, 2023

A second look at the attacks on the New York Times’s trans coverage

Coverage of trans issues by the New York Times has stirred protests. Here's a closer look.

June 15, 2023

Can we stop with the Trump coverage? Erik Wemple answered your questions on the media.

Erik's Q&A with readers was at 12 p.m. ET on Monday, June 12. Read the transcript.

June 12, 2023

Chris Licht is out, and so is CNN’s centrist folly

Licht attempted to recalibrate CNN's political sensibilities, a disaster that played out in plain sight.

June 7, 2023

Donald Trump steamrolls CNN’s town hall

But what is the journalistic response to the former president?

May 10, 2023

Even Tucker Carlson knew Tucker Carlson was out of control

An admission in a text message that reportedly played a role in the former Fox News host's ouster speaks to his drift to the fringes of political discourse.

May 3, 2023

What’s next for Fox News? Erik Wemple answered questions on the media.

Erik's Q&A with readers was at 12 p.m. ET on Monday. Read the transcript.

May 1, 2023