Lauren Ashburn

49 POSTS
Lauren Ashburn is a weekly television columnist for Barrett Media, and the founder of Ashburn Media Company. She is a television veteran who has anchored and executive produced network and cable news programs, and served as a contributor to Fox News, the Daily Beast and PBS NewsHour. Her written work has been published by The Washington Post and Wall Street Journal, and she appears on television talking about media and politics. Ashburn has interviewed US Presidents, members of Congress, high-profile celebrities, and covered political conventions and debates. She has even reported on the Iraq War from the front lines, covered 9/11 from the Pentagon, and anchored from the US/Mexico border. You can find her on X at @LaurenAshburn. A graduate of Columbia Journalism School’s master’s program, Ashburn was also Managing Editor of Gannett Broadcasting and USA Today Live and Managing Editor and Anchor of the evening news on EWTN. She is the founder of Ashburn Media Company and has been married to Howard Kurtz since 2020.

How President Donald Trump Plays the Media Game From Punching Bag to Pal

When I interviewed him in the White House during his first term, he didn't attack. He acknowledged my questions and bobbed and weaved, quickly pivoting to another topic without giving me a clear answer.

ABC’s ‘The Bachelorette’ Scandal Exposes What’s Rotten in Network TV

Some networks don't seem to be vetting characters responsibly and may well be normalizing a troubling new standard.

How Censors on All Sides Are Shaping What TV News Viewers See From Iran

Unlike other armed conflicts where journalists were embedded with U.S. troops and brought in to document casualties and atrocities, censorship is ruling the day even in democratic countries. And it's outrageous.

UFOs, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump: How Aliens Became America’s Latest Media Obsession

It’s the perfect media frenzy, since it will never be proven or disproven in our lifetimes.

Why the Epstein Files Remain a Focal Point For TV News Brands

The larger story has become a fixation for cable news and Sunday shows, all aimed at the mystery of why these members of the elite establishment would aid this despicable child molester years after his 2008 guilty plea.

Breaking

How Radio Lost the Hustle to Local Campaigns

"Don’t expect people who don’t already know your radio station to simply stumble across it.

Why Laz Diaz’s Retirement Provides a Powerful Lesson for Sports Radio Veterans

"The people who helped build sports radio have every right to be proud of what they accomplished. But they also have an opportunity — and a responsibility — to explain to the next generation why it was worth doing in the first place."

Jenny Matthews, Jagger Take KC’s 106.5 The Wolf To New York 

“I’m not gonna lie, I was terrified because I truly was a person who always said I don’t like country! But I quickly realized I actually love country music. I just didn’t realize it.”

Should Nielsen Create a Low-Cost Ratings Service for Small Radio Markets?

I'm not privy to anything Nielsen may be planning, but is it time for the company to consider a low-cost option for small markets?