Evening Post chairman named president of press advocacy group, rallies journalists to defend democracy

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  Food and Wine on Sun, Oct 26th, 2025 by Post and Courier

The Evening Post’s Newest Leader Takes the Helm of a National Press Advocacy Coalition

When the Evening Post’s long‑time chairman, John R. “Jack” Hargreaves, was announced as the new president of the Press Advocacy Group (PAG), the local newsroom was buzzing with a mix of pride and anticipation. The announcement, published in the Post and Courier on July 16, 2024, marks a pivotal moment for a coalition that seeks to protect the public’s right to know and to rally journalists across the country behind the cause of democratic accountability.

Who is Jack Hargreaves?

Jack Hargreaves has spent the better part of five decades in print journalism, climbing the ranks from a junior copy editor in the Evening Post’s early days to its chairman in 2019. He holds a B.A. in Journalism from the University of South Carolina and later earned an MBA from the same institution, which has helped him bridge the gap between newsroom operations and strategic business leadership. In 2023, Hargreaves was recognized by the South Carolina Press Association for “Outstanding Service to Journalism,” a testament to his influence on both local and state‑wide media practices.

The Press Advocacy Group: A Mission to Defend Democracy

The Press Advocacy Group, founded in 2018, is a national coalition of newspapers, news websites, and broadcast outlets that have pledged to defend the Fourth Amendment’s guarantee of free speech and the First Amendment’s protection of press freedom. Its core objectives, as outlined on its website, include:

• Policy Advocacy: Lobbying for legislation that protects journalists’ rights to gather and disseminate information.
• Public Education: Launching campaigns to explain why a free press is essential to a functioning democracy.
• Business Support: Providing resources to help outlets adapt to digital transformation while maintaining editorial independence.
• Legal Assistance: Offering legal support for journalists facing libel suits or other legal pressures aimed at silencing them.

The PAG’s new leadership structure now includes Hargreaves at the helm, with the goal of expanding its reach to small‑market and local outlets that often find themselves at the front lines of civic reporting but are under-resourced.

A Rallying Call to Journalists

In a press release accompanying the appointment, Hargreaves emphasized the urgency of the moment: “We are at a juncture where the integrity of our public sphere is being challenged on multiple fronts—political pressure, economic instability, and misinformation. Our collective voice must be strong, unified, and unwavering if we are to preserve the foundations of democracy.”

He outlined several initiatives that PAG will roll out in the coming year, including:

1. “Press Freedom Fast‑Track” Program – A rapid response team that mobilizes when outlets face imminent threats, whether they be from hostile legislation or legal actions.
2. “Local News Lab” Grant Fund – A seed‑fund initiative to help local newsrooms adopt innovative digital tools while preserving investigative capacity.
3. Annual Press Freedom Summit – A conference bringing together journalists, policy makers, and civic educators to discuss best practices and new challenges.

Hargreaves also highlighted PAG’s partnership with the American Press Institute (API) to create a “Press Freedom Curriculum” for journalism schools, ensuring that new graduates enter the workforce with a clear understanding of their civic responsibilities.

The Landscape of Local Journalism in 2024

The Post and Courier article provides an incisive look into the broader context that necessitates an organization like PAG. Over the last decade, the U.S. has seen a precipitous decline in local newspapers—estimates suggest a loss of more than 1,200 daily newspapers since 2000. This contraction has amplified concerns about “news deserts” where critical local coverage is minimal or nonexistent. Hargreaves points out that “the erosion of local news is not just a business issue; it is a democratic one.”

The article also references a recent study by the Pew Research Center, which found that communities without a local daily newspaper report lower voter turnout and weaker public engagement. Hargreaves stresses that the PAG’s initiatives are designed to address these gaps, ensuring that even the smallest communities have access to trustworthy, in‑depth reporting.

A Network of Support

The PAG’s board includes notable figures such as Maria Gonzales, editor‑in‑chief of the Santa Fe New Mexican, and Thomas Lee, former president of the National Association of Black Journalists. Their collective experience spans the breadth of American media landscapes—from rural, print‑heavy regions to major metropolitan broadcast networks.

Hargreaves also mentioned that the PAG has forged alliances with organizations such as the Center for Investigative Reporting and the Committee to Protect Journalists, expanding its influence beyond policy into the realms of investigative collaboration and international press freedom advocacy.

The Road Ahead

According to the Post and Courier, the PAG will host its inaugural “Press Freedom Fast‑Track” briefing next month, where Hargreaves and his team will outline protocols for rapid legal and financial assistance. The organization is also set to launch its first “Local News Lab” grant competition, with the application window opening in early September.

Hargreaves’ appointment is seen as a symbolic and practical step toward unifying journalism across the United States. In his own words, “Every newsroom, regardless of size or budget, shares the same fundamental purpose: to inform the public. With the support of the Press Advocacy Group, we can ensure that this purpose remains protected and reinforced for generations to come.”

The Post and Courier concluded the article by urging journalists nationwide to join the PAG’s efforts. “The fight for an informed democracy is a collective endeavor,” Hargreaves added. “We need every newsroom—big or small—to stand together, defend our freedom of the press, and hold our government accountable.”