Indianapolis Public Editor

The Indianapolis Public Editor is a first‑of‑its‑kind pilot program of the Poynter Institute designed to strengthen trust, transparency and media literacy across Indianapolis’s news landscape. Led by journalist Tracey Compton, this project serves as a vital bridge between Indianapolis residents and the newsrooms that inform them. Acting independently from any single outlet, the Public Editor helps audiences better understand how local journalism works, investigates concerns about coverage, and brings community questions directly to the people shaping our news. Financial support for the project comes from the Lumina Foundation and Hearst Foundation.

WFYI is one of the project’s partner organizations along with Mirror Indy and the Indiana Capital Chronicle.

WFYI Highlights

Who covers education in Indy?

There were many stories, yet still some gaps in coverage
WFYI Highlights

How to find the most up-to-date news on Indy area data centers

Indy news outlets find different ways to engage the public
WFYI Highlights

An Indiana public records fight went to court. The journalists (and the public) won.

When public records requests go unanswered, it’s the public that suffers.
WFYI Highlights

Covering a police officer killed in the line of duty

There were many stories, yet still some gaps in coverage
WFYI Highlights

What do we learn about local newsrooms by looking at their Olympics coverage?

Many Indy newsrooms rely on their parent companies to bring their audiences news from the Winter Games.
WFYI Highlights

I’m the new Indy Public Editor and here’s how I plan to do the job

No one’s ever done this job before.
WFYI Highlights

Poynter names Tracey Compton as the Indianapolis Public Editor

Veteran journalist and communicator will serve as media critic for audiences throughout the Indianapolis market in a pilot project.