Vincent Browne has been a journalist since 1968 and founded Magill in 1977. In 1983 he revived The Sunday Tribune and edited the paper until 1994. Over the years he has also been a columnist for The Irish Times and hosted a late-night current affairs programme for RTÉ radio and a current affairs programme for TV3. He has also written a biography of Charles Haughey.

Originally from Broadford in Limerick, he has been married to Jean Learmond since 1973; they have two children and four grandchildren.