From the Editor: Former managing editor continues accountability push in new role

Bobby Block said he knew six years ago it was time to return to journalism when he saw a man wearing a T-shirt that read: Rope. Tree. Journalist.

Journalism needed him back, he’d said.

We were fortunate at FLORIDA TODAY to be the ones to welcome Bobby, a longtime investigative reporter and former foreign correspondent, here.

I’d argue as his boss, colleague and friend that we still need him, but I’ll take as consolation that as Bobby departs for his next role ― executive director at the Florida First Amendment Foundation ― he’s not leaving our shared mission far behind. That mission, of course, is holding those with power accountable.

The Florida First Amendment Foundation that Bobby will lead was founded 38 years ago to protect and advance Floridians’ constitutional rights to open government and public records. Florida is one of the states with the most expansive public records guarantees in the whole country, which Bobby noted should be a point of honor for local officials, judges, and state officials all the way up the governor and legislators.

Unfortunately, it’s often not.

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“We have seen an increasingly callous disregard for the law as both state and local governments work to continuously restrict citizens’ access to public meetings and records,” Bobby said. “The result? Your rights to question state and local officials and hold them accountable have become fraught with problems. Government bodies that are legally required by Florida’s Constitution to act with transparency and in the sunshine are moving more and more into the shade.”

To say that’s not good for our democracy is an understatement.

Journalists have traditionally been the ones to shine a light on First Amendment violations, and we still consider that a key part of our role. But our industry has undergone significant change. There are fewer reporters keeping watch. Bobby said his goal is to see the Florida First Amendment Foundation become the main source for news about First Amendment right infringements and violations by government.

“I also would like to see state and local lawmakers and officials graded on their service to the First Amendment with marks from A+ to F-,” he said. “Citizens deserve to know if those who there to serve them and protect their interests are indeed doing so to the best of their abilities.”

As Bobby embarks on this new role, I’m sure I’ll get an opportunity to work with him again. Our newsroom often turns to the First Amendment Foundation for advice on getting access to the information that should be in the public domain. The foundation’s chief lawyer, for example, spoke at our staff retreat last year.

So, yes, I know Bobby and I will be talking. But I’ll still miss working with Bobby daily when he was managing editor of FLORIDA TODAY and a close partner to me in our journalistic mission.

“My entire life has been dedicated to holding officials and captains of industry accountable to their constituents and customers while serving my community,” Bobby said. “And while some out there with political agendas don’t like the job journalists do, especially when truths are inconvenient for their agendas, I see being a reporter as a noble calling: While being a reporter is not always a popular vocation, it is essential to the functioning of democracy in this country and here in Brevard.”

I asked him what he felt proudest of from his time at FLORIDA TODAY, and he said our reporting on Gregory Lloyd Edwards, a combat veteran with severe PTSD who died in custody of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office four years ago.

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“Overseeing the writing and reporting of dozens of stories, as well as overseeing our legal effort to release the jail security video that was improperly withheld from the public, were without a doubt the crowning achievement of my career,” Bobby said.

I haven’t often shared staffing updates in this format but I wanted to share this one with you, our readers, precisely because Bobby has been such a key part of our newsroom and our journalism. Yes, we are hiring to fill this key position.

As Bobby leaves for this next step, he noted that he does so “knowing that I get to keep my white horse, pearl-handled pistol and white Stetson: In other words I still get to be the good guy, fighting for accountability, justice and the public’s right to know. It’s honorable work and I am thrilled to tackle this next chapter in my life.”

Contact Executive Editor Mara Bellaby at mbellaby@floridatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Former editor leaves for role leading Florida First Amendment Foundation