Navigating the Newsroom

Long before Julie Anderson ’84 ’89MS became editor-in-chief of both the Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel, she was constantly reading books and sharpening her writing skills, all while tracking current events and paying close attention to the world around her. For Anderson, journalism wasn’t just a career path — it was a calling.

“There is no place more exhilarating than a busy newsroom,” she says.

A journalism and political science alum, Anderson credits UCF for providing the foundational skills that launched her remarkable 40-year career. From her beginnings as a student reporter to leading a newsroom that won the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for its investigation of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, Anderson’s career has been defined by purpose and impact.

Although she’ll retire from her position in December, Anderson remains passionate about the vital role a strong news organization plays in a growing city.

“It’s no coincidence that thriving cities have robust news organizations. We have chronicled the growth of Orlando as the top tourist destination in the world, as well as the growing pains,” Anderson says.

On What the Sentinel Means to Orlando

“The Sentinel represents continuity for Orlando. [It] will celebrate [its] 150-year anniversary in 2026. It’s a bedrock institution here, reporting on the region’s growth since Reconstruction in the late 1800s. The Sentinel will remain an integral part of a news ecosystem for years to come.”

On Guiding the Sentinel’s Mission

“I grew up in Orlando and I want [the city] to continue to thrive. That means fulfilling our duty to shine a spotlight on its flaws while also highlighting solutions. We also cover what makes Central Florida fun — the arts, entertainment and food scenes, plus its natural spaces. I used to take for granted that we would always have a vibrant free press holding the powerful accountable to its citizens. I no longer think that is a given, which has made me more determined that we focus on our core mission. Fortunately, that’s what readers most value.”

On Reflecting the Community’s Diverse Voices

“It starts with having a diverse staff that will find stories of underrepresented communities. We view diversity in many ways — not just your typical demographics of race, gender and ethnicity, but also generational and urban/rural experiences.”

On Protecting Local Journalism

“When a community loses its local newspaper or major news outlet … citizens are less informed and less engaged in civic life, and corruption flourishes. The local press reflects the community and also preserves its history. Our digital readership is larger than the printed newspaper. Still, the print product has a fanatical following. We have no plans to wind it down.”

On the Sentinel’s Role

“[The Sentinel’s] role will continue as a trusted source of local vetted news and information. People are becoming aware that misinformation is hurting our democracy, especially artificial intelligence’s role in making it easy to create and spread. We have to double down on being transparent about our reporting methods, sources and documents. [The Sentinel] has joined The Trust Project, an international consortium that provides standards for being more transparent.”

On Supporting Emerging Journalists

“We have been training UCF interns for decades and hiring them later for full-time jobs. Our managing editor, Roger Simmons ’97, is a UCF grad. So is opinion editor Krys Fluker ’98. And several reporters also are Knights: Jason Beede ’20, Martin Comas ’87 ’89MS, Ryan Gillespie ’15, Natalia Jaramillo ’22 and Cristóbal Reyes ’18. UCF is represented in the newsroom, and that’s a great thing.”