One hundred fifty years ago this weekend, the Orlando Sentinel was born, entering the world as a tiny frontier newspaper in a tiny frontier town less than a year old.
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We were called the Orange County Reporter back then, with the first issue printed on a hand-operated press by Rufus Russell on June 6, 1876.
The Orlando Sentinel is the ultimate descendent of the Reporter and two other newspapers that started later — the South Florida Sentinel in 1885 and the Orlando Star in 1896.
Reporter. Star. Sentinel.
They are important names in our past, our present and our future. They define our mission and guiding principles, ones that have served us well for 150 years and hopefully for years to come.
Reporter
Our first name, Reporter, is synonymous with what people have come to expect from us every issue since 1876: Providing needed news and information.
Our reporting has evolved to reflect society’s priorities across 150 years. In the past it concerned farmers’ latest crops, the damage from natural or human-made disasters, the evolution of the local economy and efforts to enact (and then repeal) Prohibition.
Most recently, our reporting has included stories on our booming tourism economy, the rise of commercial space flights and our amazingly talented local entertainment community. It’s all done without favor or bias.
Perhaps more controversial have been stories lately on culture wars, the painting over rainbow-colored crosswalks and questionable shenanigans by elected leaders. Then and now, we always strive to base our reporting on fact-based news gathering.
If you disagree with that last part, it’s OK. Since the first issue of the Orange County Reporter was printed, some readers have always taken issue with our reporting – usually when it involves an issue they’re passionate about.
The mission of a good newspaper is to accurately report the news of the day, even if it exposes readers to uncomfortable truths through its news reporting. Have we been perfect in that mission since 1876? No, but seeking perfection in producing stories that stick to the facts to inform our readers has been and will always be our goal.
Star
Polaris, also known as the North Star, has been used for centuries as a means of navigation, helping ancient travelers reach the goal of their journeys.
Since 1876, we have also tried to be a guiding star for our readers through our editorials, commentary and guest opinions – offering suggestions to improve our community and our neighbors’ lives, confronting scandal when it arises or simply standing with our readers as they rejoice or mourn.
Over our long history, some readers have often conflated our news reporting with our editorials and commentary. They are distinctly different. We keep a hard line between our news gatherers and our opinion writers and editors.
Whereas news reporters and their stories strive to stick to the facts and never take a position, our opinion pages and our opinion columns are different. They exist to offer biased ideas (that’s right!) with decided points of view to convince readers to support a particular issue or stand.
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But not just our ideas. For 150 years, the Reporter, Star and Sentinel have offered everyone from the powerless to the powerful the opportunity to speak their mind on the issues of the day through guest commentaries or letters to the editor.
Being exposed to differing viewpoints is a good thing, especially to help our readers determine what path of action they want to follow – with decisions illuminated by views offered on our opinion pages. If you see at least one opinion on our page that makes you nod in agreement and one that makes you see red, that’s a good day.
We encourage you – we want you! – to share your thoughts with us on our opinion pages. You can always email them to us at [email protected]. If you think we won’t publish your work, give us a shot. All we ask is that you are truthful and accurate, sticking to issues and refraining from personal attacks.
Sentinel
A sentinel is described as a guardian, a custodian or sentry. Those are roles we have fulfilled since our first issue was published in 1876. We accept our obligation to protect our community and alert it about important topics,
There’s a simple reason for that. This is our home, too. We live here alongside our readers.
More than a century ago, when Orlando needed to clean up its outhouses and cesspools to improve the health of the community, we explained why it was needed and supported the effort.
When former editor and publisher Martin Anderson lobbied for the construction or improvement of area roads so we could become the tourism mecca we are today, we explained why it was important and worthy of funding.
And today, when government officials frivolously spend tax dollars without oversight or accountability, we report and explain why it’s an issue that needs attention.
When lawmakers or businesses try to intimidate us to stop our reporting, it only strengthens our resolve to focus more resources on bringing attention to whatever we’re investigating.
It’s our duty. It’s our responsibility. It’s what you have depended on us to do for 150 years.
Reporter. Star. Sentinel. They’re more than just names. They’re part of our journalism DNA.
The Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board consists of Opinion Editor Krys Fluker, Executive Editor Roger Simmons and Viewpoints Editor Jay Reddick. Use [email protected] to contact us.
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