The principles of journalism under threat: the cases of Georgia and Mississippi

Recent events in Georgia and Mississippi show that the principles of journalism are under attack by people whose efforts, if not intentions, undermine the free press – a cornerstone of our democracy and the only profession enshrined and protected by the U.S. Constitution.

In Mississippi, the nonprofit newsroom Mississippi Today, known for its Pulitzer Prize-winning reporting, is facing a costly defamation lawsuit filed by a former governor. It demands access to confidential sources and notes, threatening the financial stability of the editorial team and the trust between journalists and their sources.

Phil Bryant’s lawsuit aims to stifle investigative journalism by undermining financial and human resources and intimidating journalists. If newsrooms are forced to spend money on legal defense, they will ultimately produce less thoughtful work that holds the powerful to account and informs the public.

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In Georgia, the media are also facing difficult situations. The University of Georgia Law Clinic, known for its advocacy for open government and open records, as well as its support of small newsrooms, including ours, recently ended some of its efforts due to alleged political pressure.

Locally, our colleagues at Appen Media Group in Alpharetta have been embroiled in a lengthy legal battle with the city of Sandy Springs over the state’s Open Records Act, calling into question the city’s transparency, particularly when it comes to routine police records. In December, a judge ruled against Appen, but wrote that the company “may be correct in its assertion that (Sandy Springs’) practice violates the spirit of the Open Records Act.”

Appen is attractive.

These legal battles illustrate how government agencies can use the courts to obfuscate and delay due process, eroding the media’s trust and ability to serve as a public watchdog.

These are just two examples of a worrying trend that will almost certainly be exacerbated by the challenges posed by AI and deepfakes, particularly as we approach election season. Independent, credible journalism is our best defense against misinformation and manipulated media.

We are growing

Keen readers will notice that we have expanded our coverage to a fifth community in this month’s issues of the Reporter. I am pleased to announce that we have hired Cathy Cobbs as a full-time staff writer who will cover Dunwoody and Tucker, two of DeKalb County’s most dynamic cities.

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