FAMU alumni journalists defend need for investigative reporting into their alma mater

A number of professional journalists who graduated from Florida A&M University recently spoke out about the need for continued investigative reporting into their alma mater.

Back during the week of March 20-26, Tallahassee Democrat reporter Bryon Dobson covered the controversy over the FAMU Student Government Association elections and complaints from Board of Trustees members about a lack of communication from the administration.

Some FAMU alumni on Facebook reacted with posts that called Dobson names and asked others to also join in their effort to smear him.

Florida Times-Union reporter Tia Mitchell responded by saying that Dobson was just doing his job.

“I want to thank @byrondobson for some great stories about #FAMU this week,” she wrote in a Tweet on March 26. His stories have been accurate & enlightening.”

WFSU reporter Lynn Hatter supported what Mitchell said with a Tweet that said “co-sign.” Mitchell and Hatter are alumni of the FAMU School of Journalism and Graphic Communication.

POLITICO Florida reporter Jessica Bakeman and Paul Fleming, communications director for the Florida House of Representatives Democratic Office, were among those who “liked” the March 26 Tweet by Mitchell. 

Marlon Walker, another FAMU J-School graduate who now reporters for the Atlanta-Journal Constitution, also agreed.

“Don’t be mad, Rattlers, because @byrondobson is trying to keep people honest,” Walker said in a Tweet on March 27.