Native American journalists face unique issues when it comes to free press

Joe Martin had never worked for a newspaper or owned a handgun when he took the reins of the tribally owned Cherokee One Feather in 1995.

But when the first changed, so did the second. Then a 26-year-old whose only job experience since graduation from college was as a cage cashier at the casino, Martin found himself fast-tracked to a steep, steep learning curve.

“I’ve gotten death threats here and there,” he said. “I don’t know how many times I’ve had somebody say they were going to go to the chief or council and make sure that I got fired.”

Eventually, he did get fired. Martin hasn’t worked for The One Feather since 2007.

http://www.smokymountainnews.com/news/item/16265-native-american-journalists-face-unique-issues-when-it-comes-to-free-press