Brian Karem

Brian J. Karem is an award-winning journalist, Emmy-nominated reporter and author of seven books.

Brian is a veteran White House correspondent and former senior correspondent for Playboy Magazine. He currently writes a weekly column on the White House for Salon.com and is also a regular contributor and columnist for The Washington Diplomat. He was the first guest on CNN's "Reliable Sources," 30 years ago with Bernard Kalb and the last guest on "Reliable Sources" with Brian Stelter on the last show. Brian appears frequently on the country's top-rated network news shows, as well as numerous radio shows throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe.

His podcast, “Just Ask the Question,” generates high ratings through topical interviews with engaging, knowledgeable guests, including veteran journalist Sam Donaldson, Emmy-nominated comedian and singer Randy Rainbow, Rep. Eric Swalwell, Alexander Vindman and Hollywood legend Carl Reiner, among others.

Karem is an accomplished First Amendment advocate and has testified before numerous state legislatures as well as Congress in support of free speech and a federal shield law for reporters. He is the founder of the “First Jailbirds Club,'' celebrating the accomplishments of reporters who have gone to jail to protect the First Amendment, and is a member of Investigative Reporters and Editors, the National Press Club and the White House Press Corps.

In addition, Karem is a recipient of numerous journalism awards, including the prestigious National Press Club Freedom of the Press Award and the Pieringer Award for Valor and Journalistic Excellence. Throughout his career, Karem has served on a number of volunteer boards. He is a former president of the Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia Press Association.

Karem has spoken, lectured and participated as a panelist at various college and university engagements as well as at many corporate and press events. He served as master of ceremonies for the Rene Moawad Foundation’s annual benefit gala and was a featured speaker at Detroit’s annual Images and Perceptions Diversity Conference. Karem has been the keynote speaker at several conferences, including Big Brothers Big Sisters in Louisville, Ky., and locally has moderated panel debates for candidates running for Congress, county executive and mayor, among others.