SPJ: Phoenix, Arizona Chapter

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SPJ’s Legal Defense Fund Committee has approved $1,500 in support of Post Voice LLC, publisher of The Pender-Topsail Post & Voice, a local newspaper serving Pender County, North Carolina, the Society announced Feb. 5.

The grant is earmarked for an ongoing lawsuit alleging that county officials retaliated against the newspaper for protected political speech. “This move threatens the independence of local journalism and the public’s right to know,” said SPJ National President Chris R. Vaccaro in an SPJ statement. 

“The Post & Voice alleges it is the only newspaper in Pender County legally authorized to publish required legal-notice advertising,” the statement said. “It says it historically published tax notices, foreclosure notices and county government news that generated significant amounts in public advertising revenue.

“According to the lawsuit, that arrangement changed after the paper published a series of satirical columns critical of members of the Pender County Board of Commissioners. The columns, written by Managing Editor Andy Pettigrew, depicted three commissioners as puppets. Shortly afterward, the county moved its legal-notice advertising to another outlet.”

The lawsuit was filed in July 2025. It contends the county violated the First Amendment in the U.S. Constitution and the North Carolina Constitution by withdrawing advertising in retaliation for protected commentary. A motion to dismiss is pending.

Eigo, chair of the SPJ Legal Defense Fund Committee and president of the Valley of the Sun (Phoenix) SPJ professional chapter, who said the case has implications far beyond a single newsroom or county.

“When public officials use taxpayer dollars to punish or pressure journalists for critical reporting or commentary, it strikes at the core of a free press,” Eigo said in the statement.

Read the entire statement here.