Seymour Hersh

Who / What

Seymour Myron Hers — born April 8 1937— is an American investigative journalist and political writer.

He is best known for exposing government wrongdoing and bringing hidden facts to public attention.

Background & History

Hers originates from an early passion for uncovering truth.

In 1969 he broke the story of the My Lai massacre and its subsequent cover‑up during the Vietnam War, earning nationwide recognition.

During the 1970s he reported for **The New York Times** on Watergate and documented the covert CIA domestic spying program and the secret U.S. bombing of Cambodia.

These assignments cemented his reputation as a fearless chronicler of U.S. political scandals.

Why Notable

His 1969 revealing of the My Lai massacre was pivotal in shattering the myth of an unblemished war effort.

For this work he received the 1970 Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting.

Hers’ continued scrutiny of government secrecy has kept him at the forefront of investigative journalism, shaping public discourse on accountability and transparency.

In the News

Hers remains a prominent voice on issues of whistleblowing and democratic oversight.

His commentary is frequently cited in contemporary discussions about state secrecy and the role of independent media.

Key Facts

**Type:** person

**Also known as:** Seymour Hers, Seymour Myron Hersh

**Born:** 1937 (April 8) in the United States

**Key dates:**

- 1969: Exposes My Lai massacre and cover‑up

- 1970: Wins Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting

- 1970s: Covers Watergate & CIA domestic spying; reports on covert Cambodia bombings

**Geography:** United States

**Affiliation:** Investigative journalism, political writing, The New York Times

Links

[Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seymour_Hersh)

Sources

• 🔗 Wikipedia

Seymour Myron Hersh (born April 8, 1937) is an American investigative journalist and political writer. He gained recognition in 1969 for exposing the My Lai massacre and its cover-up during the Vietnam War, for which he received the 1970 Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting. During the 1970s, Hersh covered the Watergate scandal for The New York Times, also reporting on the secret U.S. bombing of Cambodia and the Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA) program of domestic spying.