by Xander Norris

The South Florida Sun Sentinel, established in 1910, serves Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade counties. Its mission is to deliver the truth daily, providing stories of significance written without bias, enabling informed decision-making. The Pulitzer Prize-winning journalism of the Sun Sentinel endeavors to safeguard the interests of its audience, aid in navigating daily life, and narrate the narratives that foster connections within the communities they serve. Headquartered in Deerfield Beach, Florida, the publication operates as part of the Tribune Publishing Company.

About Julie Anderson

Julie Anderson holds the position of Editor-in-Chief for the Sun Sentinel Media Group and Orlando Sentinel Media Group. With 34 years of experience at Tribune Publishing, she has served in numerous senior management capacities, predominantly within digital media. Anderson is an alumna of Central Florida, holding a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in political science.

(This interview was conducted on 2/28/24 and has been edited for clarity and brevity)

Q&A

What inspired you to pursue a career in journalism, and how has your journey led you to your current role as Editor-in-Chief of the Sun Sentinel?

I think I wanted to be a journalist by the time I was a young teenager. I’ve always been interested in news. I consider myself a news junkie, always kept up on current events, and I also like to write. Those two things, I think, naturally led me to thinking about journalism. I was on the school newspaper staff in high school and in college, and I think it was my college experience, working in a college newspaper, which was an independent publication, a weekly that cemented it for me. I just loved the camaraderie of a newsroom and working on stories. I thought it was an exciting profession, and it is. That led me to becoming a reporter out of college at the Daytona Beach News Journal. After a few years of being a reporter, I decided to become an editor because I thought, frankly, the hours would be better. I wanted to start a family at that point, but it’s not really better hours, just different. I would say I never really envisioned being an editor-in- chief until later in my career. The internet became a thing, and all papers were trying to figure their way on it. I got involved in that in the early nineties, and that took my career path in a different direction where I was more involved in the startup nature of digital news, figuring out how we were going to publish and make money, and just how it all worked. It wasn’t until probably like 20 years after doing that, that I decided I wanted to go back to more of a traditional role in the newsroom. I got an opportunity within Tribune Publishing to be an editor-in-chief in Florida. I started being an editor-in-chief at the Sun Sentinel in 2018, and nine months later, they asked me to also take over the Orlando Sentinel. So, I’ve been doing both papers since then, and it’s honestly been the most fulfilling part of my whole career.

Can you share some notable milestones or significant moments in the Sun Sentinel’s history of reporting on local, regional, or national events?

I believe the most significant milestone in any journalism career is winning a Pulitzer, which we achieved in 2019. This occurred following the Parkland massacre on February 14th, 2018. (Seventeen people, 14 students and 3 staff members, were killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in suburban Fort Lauderdale.)  I joined the paper shortly after that event. Initially, our coverage focused on the breaking news, with the entire staff involved. Upon my arrival, I emphasized that this story was ours to pursue until we unraveled its details. Despite obstacles such as limited access to public records imposed by major institutions like the police, sheriff’s office, and school district, we remained determined. We aimed to understand how a deeply troubled individual gained access to the school and what transpired during the massacre, particularly during the approximately 45 minutes when law enforcement did not engage the shooter. Over the course of ten months, we investigated these questions rigorously, uncovering significant information previously concealed. It was this investigative work that won the Pulitzer.

Did winning the pulitzer in 2019 for your coverage of the Parkland School shooting massacre help increase your publication’s brand recognition?

One thing worth noting is the strong appreciation within our community, particularly among Parkland parents. Two parents even wrote to the Pulitzer Committee, recommending us for the Pulitzer Prize. This significantly bolstered our local reputation. Additionally, our coverage of the school shooting was considered a model for subsequent mass shooting incidents. We meticulously analyzed the police response and delved into the root causes, rather than just reporting it as breaking news. This approach garnered national attention within journalism circles. Toward the end of our investigation, we produced an interactive video dissecting the 45-minute massacre. This video has been utilized by police departments for training purposes for years. It was an unexpected but significant outcome, highlighting the dedication and skill of our journalists in presenting a detailed account of the events and how the police responded.

How does the Sun Sentinel prioritize the selection of stories to ensure it delivers the most impactful and relevant news to its readers?

Much of our insight comes from experience. The average tenure of our editors is at least 20 years, some even 25. Through this experience, we understand our readers’ reactions. We utilize various metrics daily, monitoring what they read, share, and how long they engage with stories. This accumulation of data enhances our understanding. We study these metrics, identifying trends over time. Sometimes, our readers experience what we term “news fatigue,” feeling overwhelmed by negative news. During such periods, lighter topics like entertainment, dining, or sports gain prominence. Our approach to news adapts with the changing times, guided by these metrics.

In what ways has the Sun Sentinel adapted to changes in the media landscape, particularly with the rise of digital platforms, over its long history?

I’d say the Sun Sentinel was an early adopter of video, partly due to our company’s ownership of TV stations. We had a TV station in South Florida, though it’s since been sold. We extensively utilized our photographers’ video training for creating short-form content, especially for social media. In that aspect, we’ve consistently performed well. Our audience team focuses on metrics and social media to expand our reach across platforms like Instagram. Additionally, we prioritize understanding online publishing fundamentals, including search engine optimization, to ensure our stories rank high in search results. This skill is essential for journalists today to maximize readership.

Looking towards the future, with AI on the rise have you incorporated it in your reporting?

This decision impacts the entire company, not just the Sun Sentinel. Like many publications, we’re examining the actions of (Open)AI and Google in scraping our content without permission to train their engines. We’re displeased and consider it unfair, as it involves copyrighted material. The next steps are a companywide decision, not mine. Additionally, we view this as a significant news story with potential transformative effects, not just for businesses but also for journalism. While it could be beneficial, we’re cautious. We’re formulating clear policies to ensure transparent use without misleading readers. Currently, we’re not integrating it into our newsroom operations, and any potential use requires consultation with editors. We’re proceeding cautiously in incorporating it into our practices.