Awards
2025
Sigma Delta Chi Awards (National Society of Professional Journalists)
Best Cultural Criticisim: Melanie McFarland, for “’The Boys’ gives us a grim warning of Trumpism’s endgame“; “25 years later, ‘Office Space’ explains the Gen X worker’s deflated spirit“; “‘Stupid is as stupid does’: The Gumpification of America, 30 years later“; “’Wicked’ reminds us we’d all better be ready to defy gravity. Especially Black women“; and “We need to talk about Andy: The best ‘Alien: Romulus’ character has glitches”
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Dateline Awards
FINALIST: Best Editorial/Opinion Writing, Online, for Columns from Washington by Brian Karem
FINALIST: Best Commentary/Criticism Writing, Online, for “‘We almost died for these greens’: A journey through my food desert” and “I thought I had partied at Freaknik” by D. Watkins
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2024
National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards
Best TV Critic: Melanie McFarland for “In 2023, nobody knows how to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In 2013, Anthony Bourdain did“; “Lessons in Chemistry” understands the assignment: Never forget that cooking is vital work“; and “Use your voice, Luke: How Mark Hamill’s anti-Jedi mind tricks gave him career longevity”
Best Film Feature, Actor-Related, Online Division for “Connected through inyeon”: Teo Yoo reflects on the fate that guided his career and to “Past Lives” by Hanh Nguyen
Best Humor Writing, Arts/Entertainment for “I thought I had partied at Freaknik” by D. Watkins (first place)
Best Obituary/In Appreciation, Music and Other Arts Personalities for “The gospel according to Sinéad O’Connor: She was right all along” by Amanda Marcotte
Second Place, Obituary/In Appreciation, Film Personalities for “Through Pee-wee Herman, Paul Reubens reminded Gen X to stay true to our immature inner children” by Melanie McFarland
Second Place, Story on Diversity in the TV/Streaming Industry, Online Division for “Actor “Sympathizer” Soldier Spy: How Australia’s Hoa Xuande became the ultimate double agent” by Hanh Nguyen
Second Place, Best Celebrity Feature, Online Division for “Taylor Swift gets it: Cats are better than (some) men” by Amanda Marcotte
Second Place, Commentary/Analysis/Trend Story on Other Arts for “Why King Charles’ portrait is so grotesque. Hint: It’s not just the color” by Mary Elizabeth Williams
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Sigma Delta Chi Awards — National Society for Professional Journalists
Best Cultural Criticism, for “A dude and a desk: Why Women Really Don’t Get to Host Late Night TV,” “The late night rise of ‘Gutfeld!’ is telling us something. It isn’t funny, but that doesn’t matter” and “Tripping up the King’s Jester: How is Hasan Minhaj still in the running to host ‘The Daily Show‘?” by Melanie McFarland
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Morgan State University School of Global Journalism and Communication
Vernon Jarrett Medal for Journalistic Excellence for “We Used to Win Here” and “Navigating the New Sober Boom, Where a Person’s Sobriety Is as Unique as Their Fingerprint” by D. Watkins
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James Beard Media Awards
James Beard Foundation Journalism Award for Beverage Writing for “Navigating the New Sober Boom, Where a Person’s Sobriety Is as Unique as Their Fingerprint” by D. Watkins
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Dateline Awards
Best Editorial/Opinion Writing, Online, for Columns from Washington by Brian Karem
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Association of Health Care Journalists Awards
Third Place, Consumer/Feature for “The Online Baby Sleep Boom” by Nicole Karlis
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Mirror Awards
Finalist, Best Commentary for “A Dude and a Desk: Why Women Really Don’t Get to Host Late Night TV” by Melanie McFarland
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2023
Cultural Criticism (Melanie McFarland, first place) | Sigma Delta Chi Awards
Commentary and Criticism, Online (D. Watkins, first place) | Dateline Awards
2017
Scripted/Unscripted Video Series (honoree): Salon Talks Live | Best Of Web MIN Awards
2014
Best Writing (honoree) | Webby Awards
2012
Best Commentary in Digital Media (Rebecca Traister) | Mirror Award
Best Online Commentary (Mary Elizabeth Williams, finalist) | Online Journalism Awards
Best Explanatory Reporting (Andrew Leonard, finalist) | Online Journalism Awards
2011
Sidney Award for investigative work that nurtures social and economic consciousness (Irin Carmon) | Sidney Awards
2010
Online Commentary/Blogging, Medium Site (Glenn Greenwald) | Online Journalism Awards
2007
People’s Voice Winner for Best Online Magazine | Webby Awards
Outstanding Digital Journalism Article (“The Glass Closet,” Alex Koppelman) | GLAAD
2006
Outstanding Digital Journalism Article (“Turning Off Gays,” Mark Benjamin) | GLAAD
2004
Outstanding Digital Journalism Article | GLAAD
Outstanding Journalist (David Talbot) | Carr Van Anda Award
2003
Top 100 Classics (News & Entertainment categories) | PC Magazine
Feature Journalism — Independent | Online Journalism Awards
2002
Best Print and Zine | Webby Awards
Best 50 Web Sites | Time Magazine
Best of the Web | Book Clubs | Forbes
Outstanding Digital Journalism Overall Coverage | GLAAD
2001
Best Online Magazine | Yahoo Internet Life
Top 100 Websites | PC Magazine
Outstanding Digital Journalism Article | GLAAD
Best Independent Enterprise Journalism | Online Journalism Awards
2000
General Excellence | Online Journalism Awards
Enterprise Journalism | Online Journalism Awards
Best Technology Site and Best Parenting Site | Forbes
Best of the Web — Media, Politics | Brill’s Content
Best Online Magazine | Boston Phoenix
Outstanding Digital Journalism Article | GLAAD
1999
David Talbot, 20 Stars of the New News | Newsweek
Best Online Magazine | Webby Awards
Top of the Net | Yahoo Internet Life
1998
Best Online Magazine | Webby Awards
Best of Multimedia | Entertainment Weekly
Top of the Net | Yahoo Internet Life
1997
Best Online Magazine | Webby Awards
Cool Site of the Year | U.S. News & World Report
Best of the Web | Business Week
Best Website | Entertainment Weekly
Best Online Magazine of the Year | Advertising Age
Top of the Net | Yahoo Internet Life
1996
Web Site of the Year | Time Magazine
Cool Web Designers of the Year | Cool Site of the Day