The Florida Star facts for kids
The 19 April 2014 front page of
The Florida Star |
|
| Type | Weekly newspaper |
|---|---|
| Format | Broadsheet |
| Owner(s) | Clara McLaughlin |
| Founder(s) | Eric O. Simpson |
| Publisher | Clara McLaughlin |
| Founded | April 15, 1951 |
| Headquarters | Jacksonville, Florida |
| Circulation | 21,000 |
| Sister newspapers | The Georgia Star |
The Florida Star is a newspaper that comes out once a week in Jacksonville, Florida. It was started in 1951 to serve the African American community in Jacksonville. It is the oldest African-American newspaper in the Northeast Florida area.
Contents
History of The Florida Star
How The Florida Star Began
The Florida Star was created in 1951 by Eric O. Simpson. He was a newspaper veteran who wanted Jacksonville to have its own newspaper for African Americans. The Star focused on the city's Black community. This was at a time when other local news often ignored or downplayed stories about African Americans and civil rights.
Supporting Civil Rights
During the 1950s and 1960s, The Florida Star was very important for the civil rights movement in Jacksonville. The civil rights movement was a time when people worked to end unfair treatment and gain equal rights for all. The newspaper encouraged the government to make changes. It also supported Black political candidates. It kept its readers informed about important events like boycotts and sit-ins.
A Legal Case for News
The Florida Star was also known for its exciting crime stories. In 1983, the newspaper was part of a big legal case. A new reporter accidentally included a person's name in an article. This name was from a police report. This went against the newspaper's own rules and a Florida law.
The person sued the newspaper. They were awarded money for damages. The Florida Star appealed this decision. The case eventually went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. In 1989, the Supreme Court decided that punishing a newspaper for printing true information, which it got legally, was not allowed. This decision was based on the First Amendment, which protects freedom of speech and the press.
Challenges and Changes
In 1977, the office of The Florida Star was attacked by fire. This damaged the front lobby. In 1993, another fire completely destroyed the building and many old newspaper copies. Even after this, Eric Simpson and his family worked hard to keep the paper going. They managed to publish that week's issue only one day late.
Eric Simpson led the newspaper until he passed away in 1994. His wife, Mary Wooten Simpson, took over. Under her leadership, the newspaper grew. It hired more staff, covered more topics, and reached more readers. Their daughter, Erica Simpson, became the managing editor after her mother's death in 2001.
In 2002, Clara McLaughlin bought the newspaper from the Simpson family. She is a well-known media pioneer. She is currently the publisher of The Florida Star. In January 2007, The Florida Star started a new edition for Georgia, called The Georgia Star.
Awards and Recognition
Eric Simpson was honored after his death in 2003. He was added to the Florida Press Association Hall of Fame. He was the first African American to receive this honor.
