John L. Hess (December 27, 1917 – January 21, 2005) was a prominent American investigative journalist who worked for many years at The New York Times.
In 1974, he won a citation from the US Department of Health, Education and Welfare for an investigation into corrupt nursing home operators.
After his retirement, Hess contributed regularly to The Nation, CounterPunch and Extra!, among other publications, in addition to work in television and radio journalism.
He also served as media watchdog for WBAI, the New York City listener-sponsored radio station.
In addition to his memoirs, Hess also published several other books: Vanishing France, The Case for De Gaulle, and The Grand Acquisitors, about the business of art museums.