Former Newspaper Editor Guest Speaker at Nassau County Democratic Club Meeting

Submitted by Karen Thompson

Features Reporter

September 29, 2015 9:54 a.m.

It appears the retired Michael Parnell has been keeping some secrets over his 12-year tenure as editor of the Fernandina Beach News Leader. At the monthly Nassau County Democratic Club meeting last week he admitted that he has never, and never will, vote for a Republican for president. Parnell was a college student of the 60s, a McGovern Democrat who came of age during the anti-Vietnam war era and was passionate about the civil rights movement.

Parnell has a journalism degree from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. He worked for a variety of newspapers, and publishers, before landing in Fernandina Beach. “Papers are owned by publishers, usually Republicans. I have never owned a paper,” he joked. “Editors are stewards of papers that belong to the community. You might call it ‘refrigerator magnet journalism.’ We cover local news like obits, high school sports, meeting, wedding and anniversary announcements, and of course as many letters-to-the-editor as possible,” he said.

When questioned about the length and content of some of the letters, Parnell said they were not necessarily his opinion. “I tried to give a voice to all. With all the economic cutbacks since the recession I, honestly, didn’t have a lot of time to spend editing letters. They fill space.” He said the News Leader has lost 1/3 of its revenue since 2008.

Parnell said editors are advocates for the readers. “I’ve tried to be polite, patient and ethical. Editors and reporters collect, organize and provide the news to readers in an informative, educational and entertaining way. We try to get it right, to make a difference by giving a full voice to all. But that’s not an easy task. Sometimes we mess up.”

He said he welcomed the competition from on-line publications but said they don’t aspire to do what the News Leader does but instead “have a cause.” The blogs have no filter. They talk past each other with the louder voices getting the most attention,” he said. “I’d rather read a story by a paid professional than a story by someone unpaid with a biased opinion.”

So what will Michael Parnell like about retirement? “I will enjoy shopping at Publix during day-time hours because it makes me feel young,” he joked. “And I will read only the parts of the News Leader I like.” He received a gift at retirement…..a free subscription.

Editor's Note: Karen moved to Fernandina Beach four years ago after working in Chicago as a senior public relations specialist for the Midwestern regional office of the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. Prior to that, she was an editor, columnist and writer for a chain of Chicago newspapers , an account executive for several Chicago public relations agencies and proprietor of her own pr/marketing business. She grew up and earned her journalism degree in Wisconsin.