By now you may have read my two latest columns on the death penalty and solar farms, and wondered where I’m coming from as the newest member of the opinion section at IndyStar.
Before I came to the newsroom, I worked for the Indiana Senate as a press secretary for the Republican caucus. Those reading that from the left or right might incorrectly assume that means I’m here to spout Republican talking points.
The truth is, my drive for moral consistency and fairness means I’m unafraid to take positions you might not expect.
I’m not here to make cheap shots, deliver hot takes or adopt stances that will leave any reader feeling complacent. Investigative and opinion journalism has played a vital role in expanding my worldview and challenging my thinking in the past, and I hope to provide a similar challenge to my readers, regardless of partisan leanings.
While I’m here, I hope to stay true to that goal and gain your trust.
Trust has never been so important at a time when the average person in our state probably feels abandoned by legacy media and disconnected from their community. Anyone can easily find a near-constant influx of doom-and-gloom, sensationalist punditry and incomplete narratives on social media, but long-term exposure can make them feel voiceless and weak.
Local media has an imperative to validate itself and provide people with a valuable connection to their local communities, where they have the greatest ability to make a difference.
Throughout my time in health care, education and public relations, I saw local media drive many important conversations this way. During my time as an investigative journalist, while managing a small news outlet, I was shocked by the outsized influence it had on the city and state.
When reporting and investigative work is complemented by thought-provoking commentary with a connection to the local community, a newsroom’s impact can stretch far beyond its readers. This is something IndyStar has been successful at for years, thanks to my boss, James Briggs, the other excellent people in our newsroom, and IndyStar’s parent company, Gannett, which continues to invest in our opinion section.
As IndyStar continues to evolve to make sure it represents and meets the needs of the city and state it serves, I’m excited to be a part of it and hit the ground running.
I hope my readers will reach out to let me know what issues matter most to them.
Contact Jacob Stewart at 317-444-4683 or jacob.stewart@indystar.com. Follow him on X and Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: I’m here to challenge you and hopefully earn your trust | Opinion
Reporting by Jacob Stewart, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
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