Michael H. Keller

I’m a New York Times reporter who combines traditional reporting and computer programming to produce deeply researched pieces, often about how technology affects society and young people.

What I Cover

My reporting and data analysis seek to uncover information that would otherwise be hidden. I spent nearly two years in 2020-21 reporting with my colleagues on policing in America. The series we produced, which included stories about the power of police unions, fatal traffic stops and deaths in police custody, won the Pulitzer Prize in national reporting.

I gravitate toward topics that highlight people’s personal stories within the context of larger national or international issues. In 2019, I traveled to speak in person with young survivors of abuse for a series of stories that revealed the failure of technology companies and the U.S. government to curtail the online spread of child sexual abuse imagery. One of the main goals of my work is to elevate the voices of those who haven’t been heard.

My Background

I have been a journalist for about 15 years and have covered issues ranging from politics to the environment. While working my first newsroom jobs, I learned the then-novel skills of data visualization and computer programming. I found that careful data analysis could uncover things such as which misspelled words Apple’s iPhone refuses to correct, or how the flood maps that guide development and insurance markets in communities around the country are often outdated and unreliable. The first pieces I worked on at The Times examined the online market for manipulating YouTube view counts and the business of selling people’s location data, a practice that can reveal personal details about millions of Americans.

I think that access to high-quality information is key to a functioning society. I publish free software tools that make it easier for others to analyze and visualize data and I write guides to help people use these tools to conduct their own work. I also teach at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, where I was previously a student and research fellow. I grew up in California and graduated from Georgetown University with a degree in psychology and comparative literature.

Journalistic Ethics

Being fair and honest to people I interview or write about is a key value for me. The Times has an extensive set of ethical standards that inform every story I write. I often interview dozens of people for a single article to make sure I’ve heard as many perspectives as possible. I know that people I speak with trust me to reflect their point of view accurately and fairly. I take that responsibility seriously. I don’t participate in any political events or invest in individual stocks, and I make a personal choice not to belong to a political party.

When people agree to be interviewed on sensitive topics, they sometimes trust me with their safety. I go to great technical and personal lengths to ensure their security.

I welcome feedback (positive or negative) about anything I’ve written, as well as tips on ideas you think I should pursue. If you send a tip through The Times’s anonymous tip line, include my name and it will go directly to me.

• Email: [email protected]

• X: @mhkeller

• LinkedIn: Michael H. Keller

• Anonymous tips: nytimes.com/tips