In Tribute to Eric Boehlert

And the loss of a fearless journalist

Eric Boehlert, fearless journalist who authored the Substack newsletter PressRun Media, died on Monday in a bike accident in Montclair, New Jersey, where he was struck by a New Jersey transit train. He was 57.

Beyond following each other on Twitter during my previous stint as a journalist and the occasional interactions online, I didn’t know Eric Boehlert, but I can say unequivocally that he was the greatest influence on my work, from the very beginning, when he was publishing on Media Matters during the Bush years, and I was just trying to find my voice writing Letters to the Editor to my local newspaper. He is the reason I became a journalist.

He inspired me to be fearless and start this newsletter, no matter how terrifying going off on my own was, no matter that nobody knew who the hell Owls Molloy was, and despite not having the credentials for even the hope of a large audience, because even the smallest voice was necessary. He gave me the courage to speak my mind and tell the truth as I saw it, even when I knew it would be costly to both my personal and professional relationships.

But I think the greatest gift he gave me, that he gave to all of journalism, was the ability to recognize and decipher propaganda and disinformation, and to hold the perpetrators accountable, especially in the media. Eric called them out on their bullshit in the most genius way possible, by laying out the facts.

I will miss his thrice-weekly newsletter waiting in my inbox. I will miss the lively and intelligent PressRun community with the intellectual debates, where I was always surrounded by people way smarter than me. I will miss his music playlist.

He was one of the good guys.

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For his fearless approach to journalism that turned facts into a formidable weapon, and for holding the media accountable for their incessant coddling of rightwing propaganda and disinformation, I am giving Eric Boehlert all the warm loaves of fresh bread he wants. He earned every last one of them.

Dear Eric,

Wherever you are, I hope this makes you smile.

Here’s your song:

“Beautiful Day” by U2