Donie O'Sullivan

Donie O'Sullivan is an Irish-American journalist recognized for his reporting on misinformation, conspiracy theories, and the intersection of technology and politics in American media. O'Sullivan holds a degree in history and politics from University College Dublin and a master's in political science from Queen's University Belfast. Before joining CNN, he worked for Storyful, a social media verification news agency, in New York and Dublin.

O'Sullivan joined CNN as a producer for the network's Social Discovery team, specializing in open-source intelligence (OSINT) and the verification of social media content from breaking news events worldwide. He later became a technology reporter with CNN Business, focusing on how social media companies address misinformation, hate, and extremism on their platforms. O'Sullivan collaborated with CNN's investigative unit to track and identify online disinformation campaigns targeting the American electorate and contributed to reporting that uncovered Russian government-linked social media campaigns aimed at influencing U.S. elections. His work was referenced by congressional investigators examining foreign interference in the electoral process. O'Sullivan also reported on the impact of conspiracy theories on voter attitudes and public response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

O'Sullivan provided live coverage from the U.S. Capitol during the January 6 attack, reporting for CNN as events unfolded. He works across multiple teams at CNN, including the documentary unit, producing specials that examine the influence of conspiracy theories in American society. O'Sullivan led reporting for three hour-long CNN specials titled "MisinfoNation," part of "The Whole Story With Anderson Cooper." He received a News & Documentary Emmy Award for Outstanding Recorded News Program for his work on the series and earned an Emmy nomination for outstanding science and technology coverage for reporting on the effects of social media platforms and conspiracy theories on American families.

O'Sullivan hosted the narrative podcast series "Persuadable," which explores why individuals are drawn to conspiracy theories. The series was nominated for an Ambie podcast award in the Best Reporting category. He also hosts the CNN series "Devoted with Donie O'Sullivan," which follows individuals on spiritual journeys as they seek new sources of meaning. O'Sullivan has spoken at national and international conferences, including the Council on Foreign Relations, the Aspen Institute, DEF CON, and the RSA Conference, sharing insights on cybersecurity, disinformation, and media integrity.

O'Sullivan has publicly discussed his experiences with depression and anxiety, emphasizing the importance of mental health awareness. He has spoken about the challenges of managing mental health while reporting on high-stress events, including the Capitol riots, and advocates for seeking support for mental health issues.