[VIDEO] A conversation with Pulitzer Prize winner Ann Telnaes + ACTIONS
Ann Telnaes joined the Media and Democracy Project for an enlightening and inspiring conversation. Below are actions you can take in support of editorial cartoonists and a better-informed America.
Ann Telnaes Embodies the Power of Editorial Cartoonists for Democracy
On May 29, 2025 editorial cartoonist Ann Telnaes joined the Media and Democracy Project for a lively conversation. The event touched on aspects of her career including her start in editorial cartooning, recently winning her second Pulitzer Prize, her passionate advocacy for press freedom, her thoughts on AI (spoiler alert: it’s theft), her ongoing projects including the documentary film Democracy Under Siege and her powerful and courageous decision to leave the Washington Post on her terms after her cartoon that lampooned Post-owner Jeff Bezos was spiked by her editor.
The event heightened attendees’ appreciation of the power of political cartoonists in democracy under siege. The slides from the event are shared here and contain lots more of Ann’s work and a collection of the editorial cartoons made by her colleagues around the world in the #StandWithAnn campaign after her heroic—and professionally risky—decision to leave the Post after 16 years.
We believe Ann’s editorial cartoons, acts of courage, and patriotic statement on compromised press freedom at the Jeff Bezos-owned Washington Post are important to celebrate and amplify. Editorial cartoonists are powerful communicators of complex issues and essential critics of authoritarians and of the rich and powerful.
VIDEO from 5/29/2025
Inspired feedback from attendees:
“Freedom of the press is critical to our democracy. I hadn't thought too much about political cartoonists but always appreciated their work. Now I realize how important they are!” - SW
“I did donate. I value editorial cartoonists and their work. I enjoyed and felt buoyed by seeing the work of A. Telnaes and other editorial cartoonists” - RM
"It was a terrific interview. Ann Telnaes is such a genuine person, and so humble. I want to see her work everywhere! Thanks for that program." - RF
“It was wonderful to hear Ann talking about her experiences as a cartoonist. I really did not know what editorial cartoonists do. They are powerful journalists, too.” - YH
“It was an excellent presentation to show the power of political cartoons to reach people. It's a very effective way to communicate to the general public.” - EP
“Opened my eyes to the importance of supporting political cartoonists! Thank you!” -RB
“Appreciated the guest having been provided lots of time to answer a series of well-conceived questions. Seeing quite a few of the political cartoons was a treat. And it was simply a delight to see the [Zoom windows] "audience." Some looking into their cameras, others listening while doing something else… knitting (or was that crocheting), listening with eyes closed, at least one person who looked to be asleep, some smiles now and again… Finally, I appreciate that the schematics and chat notes will be sent round. Good stuff!” - MF
“Wonderful! I loved learning about Ann Telnaes and her work. I thought the interviewer did a great job—asking interesting questions and showing cartoons and other clips and providing information links and suggestions. So happy that I saw this! Thank you” - EF
This is the now globally-famous Telnaes cartoon that was rejected outright by Washington Post opinion editor and fellow Jeff Bezos employee David Shipley. The cartoon features Jeff Bezos, Sam Altman, Mark Zuckerberg, Patrick Soon-Shiong, and Mickey Mouse (employee of Disney-ABC).
“As an editorial cartoonist, my job is to hold powerful people and institutions accountable. For the first time, my editor prevented me from doing that critical job. So I have decided to leave the Post. I doubt my decision will cause much of a stir and that it will be dismissed because I’m just a cartoonist. But I will not stop holding truth to power through my cartooning, because as they say, “Democracy dies in darkness.” - Ann Telnaes.
Ann Telnaes won a 2025 and 2001 Pulitzer Prize. A timeless classic of her work from 2000.
Your action steps to show solidarity and support for Ms. Telnaes, editorial cartoonists and #PressFreedom!
Sign up for her blog “Open Windows”
to access and receive her powerful editorial cartoons to your INBOX (she keeps it free but become a *paying* subscriber if you can). Follow/amplify her on Bluesky here.Make a donation to CartoonistsRights.Org and follow/amplify them on Bluesky here. Cartoonists Rights helps cartoonists all over the world “with legal, financial, emotional and moral assistance so that they can do what they do best; advocate against the injustices of this world.”
JOIN US! Monday June 16 for our next “MAD Monday” with the Media and Democracy Project community. It is our monthly activist meeting via Zoom. We empower folks to engage in media activism. Sign up here.
Subscribe to at least ONE additional editorial cartoonist. Be a patron, amplifier, pollinator & share their work. Show your support and appreciation of the power of political cartoonists in democracy under siege. Per Ann, whenever you do share an editorial cartoon, take the extra step of looking up and tagging/highlighting or otherwise crediting the creator!
Write a thank you note/email to your newspaper or magazine that carries the work of editorial cartoonists. There are fewer and fewer news organizations courageous enough to carry (or pay) editorial cartoonists.
Follow / share our work:
Bluesky/MAD: https://bsky.app/profile/mediaanddemocracy.bsky.social
Blog: https://mediaanddemocracyproject.substack.com/
Website: http://MediaAndDemocracyProject.org
BONUS CONTENT.
Watch this short powerful animated cartoon by Ms. Telnaes from 2016 that captures why having billionaire-controlled media and news that depends heavily on corporate control - is a threat to #PressFreedom: the corporate “golden cage.” It’s another reason we advocate for people to subscribe and support local news outlets. Our 50-state searchable directory is here.