Oliphant was one of three editors who managed The Globe's coverage of school desegregation in Boston, work which won a 1975 Pulitzer Prize, and he was a finalist in 1980 in the category of Editorial Writing.

[1] His last appearance on Jim Lehrer's program was on Wednesday, August 26, 2009, when he discussed the legacy of Ted Kennedy.

[6] In April 2007, Oliphant became involved in controversy arising from some vulgar remarks that talk radio host Don Imus made regarding African American players on the Rutgers University women's basketball team.

On April 9, 2007, Oliphant was a guest on the Imus' morning radio show in the midst of the developing controversy.

"[7] On that evening's NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, Oliphant was critical of Imus' remarks, calling them "inexcusably horrible", but said "I don't think he should be fired.