Many Voice members and fans have already asked me why I’d make the switch from D.C. to San Diego, why I’d jump ship from presidential politics to local coverage.
It’s pretty simple. If all politics is local, the best journalism is, too – and that’s particularly true at Voice.
Don’t get me wrong, I had the chance to be a part of two amazing teams at Politico and TPM, and got some kick-ass opportunities as part of those gigs, including helping to shepherd coverage of some of the election cycle’s biggest stories: Herman Cain’s spectacular downfall, and the stunning admission by Todd Akin that he believes in the notion of ”legitimate rape,” a story my colleague and friend Evan McMorris-Santoro broke.
But D.C.’s reputation as an echo chamber is well-earned, and its fixation on a second-by-second narration of the news tends to cripple any journalist’s ability to delve into the kind of long-term investigative projects that make the biggest impacts. Enter Voice.
When I discovered VOSD was looking for someone to help lead the newsroom — and later that I’d nabbed the gig — my reaction was not unlike this:
I’m still settling into my role here, which includes a lot of homework on San Diego and the issues that drive it (You guys like pensions much?). There’s also the fact that former editor Andy Donohue set a ridiculously high bar.
Luckily, I’m not new to California — I went to school here, worked at various Los Angeles publications and have written about its politics here, here and here.
About me personally: I care deeply about women’s representation in the media, am a diehard USC Trojans fan, a runner and a lover of hip-hop (fellow fans might recognize this headline from Jay-Z’s “Public Service Announcement”). You can also read more about my vision for Voice in the latest issue of San Diego Magazine.
So, let’s do this, San Diego. Please hit me up by email (sara.libby@voiceofsandiego.org) or on Twitter (@SaraLibby) if you have any thoughts about Voice itself, or any of its stories.
For now, that’s all.
Sara Libby is VOSD’s managing editor. She oversees VOSD’s newsroom and its content. You can reach her at sara.libby@voiceofsandiego.org or 619.325.0526.
Disclosure: Voice of San Diego members and supporters may be mentioned or have a stake in the stories we cover. For a complete list of our contributors, click here.
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