The Onion's Ben Collins: Satire as a Tool Against Tyranny

Ben Collins, CEO of The Onion, emphasized the critical role of satire in addressing contemporary issues during a discussion at the Boston Globe Summit. Collins, who took over as CEO in 2024, has revitalized The Onion's print edition, which now reaches over 50 countries and aims to surpass The Washington Post in print subscriptions. He believes that humor can effectively combat tyranny and corruption, stating, “Criticizing the president is a very dangerous activity in this country right now... But [The Onion] can say … what’s rattling at the back of your head about what’s going on without having to cite every source.”

Boston.comBoston GlobeOnion CEO confirms The Onion is, in fact, ‘fake news’

Collins has implemented a strict no-AI policy at The Onion, arguing that artificial intelligence lacks the capacity for genuine humor. He remarked, “AI is just not funny... it is the synthesis of everything everyone’s ever written, and comedy is kind of the opposite of that.” This stance was reinforced by a backlash the publication faced after accidentally using an AI-generated image, which led to a formal apology and a surge in subscriptions. Collins criticized AI's impact on the creative arts, asserting that it exacerbates existing problems rather than alleviating them.

Boston.comBoston GlobeOnion CEO confirms The Onion is, in fact, ‘fake news’

Under Collins' leadership, The Onion aims to be a voice against the establishment, which he refers to as “The Man.” He highlighted the wealth disparity and corruption in politics, stating, “There are eight of the richest people in a gilded room behind the president bribing him.” This perspective shapes the publication's content, allowing it to tackle serious societal issues through satire. Collins expressed confidence in the future of The Onion, noting the abundance of material available for satire in the current political climate.

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Collins also voiced his disillusionment with mainstream media, suggesting that it often fails to address uncomfortable truths. He argued that satire provides a unique platform for expressing ideas that traditional journalism may shy away from. “We [at The Onion] can say the unsaid things in American life in a way that a lot of newspapers cannot say right now,” he stated.

Onion CEO confirms The Onion is, in fact, ‘fake news’

During the summit, Collins addressed journalism students from his alma mater, Emerson College, encouraging them to embrace boldness in their work. He criticized the college administration's handling of student protests, particularly referencing the arrest of pro-Palestine protesters. Collins urged students to continue fighting for their beliefs, asserting, “If you get kicked out of school for doing stuff like that, you’ll have a much better career.”

Onion CEO confirms The Onion is, in fact, ‘fake news’

• “But [The Onion] can say … what’s rattling at the back of your head about what’s going on without having to cite every source.” — Ben Collins, CEO of The Onion

Boston Globe

• “It is the synthesis of everything everyone’s ever written, and comedy is kind of the opposite of that.” — Ben Collins

Boston.com

• “There are eight of the richest people in a gilded room behind the president bribing him,” — Ben Collins

Boston Globe

• “We [at the Onion] can say the unsaid things in American life in a way that a lot of newspapers cannot say right now,” — Ben Collins

Onion CEO confirms The Onion is, in fact, ‘fake news’

• “If you get kicked out of school for doing stuff like that, you’ll have a much better career, and I’m much more likely to hire you,” — Ben Collins

Onion CEO confirms The Onion is, in fact, ‘fake news’

Ben Collins' leadership at The Onion reflects a commitment to using satire as a means of truth-telling in an increasingly complex media landscape. By rejecting artificial intelligence and advocating for bold expression, Collins aims to position The Onion as a vital voice against societal injustices.

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