Lauren Ashburn

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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.

Tony Dokoupil’s CBS Evening News Debut Shows Just How Unforgiving the Anchor Chair Can Be

The mistakes always land on the face the audience sees.

Why the End-of-Year Rob Reiner Murder Dominated the Media’s Attention

"I’m disappointed that his son’s struggles with schizophrenia and addiction weren’t more of a teachable moment. The coverage wasn’t deep."

When Scandal Sells: Why the Epstein Files Photos Dominated the Cable News Cycle

It’s too juicy, too scandalous, and too politically charged for anyone to look away.

Why Paramount Used the Nuclear Option to Try to Stop the Netflix-Warner Bros. Discovery Deal

This merger is the kind regulators usually have to tackle with a hazmat suit.

The Good, Bad, and Ugly of the Rise of Bite-Sized TV on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube

We are all part of this newfangled way of watching TV, whether it’s good for us or not, and we might as well come out of the closet and admit it. 

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?