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Last updated on Wednesday, January 28, 2015
(INDIANAPOLIS) - Governor Mike Pence Tuesday looked to clarify the controversy over a news outlet run by his staff, as fear mounts among politicians and reporters that the state-run news operation will circumvent the independent media.
"Throughout my career I've been committed to a free and independent press," said Pence during a press conference Tuesday.
Pence's office is looking to create a news agency that would provide news stories written by his staff, directly to the public.
Documents obtained by our news gathering partners at IndyStar show the "Just IN" state news website will "break news - publishing information ahead of any other news outlet."
"My understanding is that the website, that has become a source of controversy, was simply an effort to have a one stop shopping website for press releases and information coming from various state agencies. It's meant to be a resource, not a news source," said Pence.
But according to Pence's press secretary, a news source is exactly what the website will be. In a news release sent out Tuesday afternoon, Pence's press office admitted "Just IN will be a "news resource website."
"This is something they ought to back track from because any time you see your own name in the same sentence as Vladimir Putin, you probably need to rethink your decision," said State Rep. Scott Pelath (D - Michigan City).
Pelath, the State House Minority Leader told the Governor Tuesday to back out, of "Just IN."
Pelath is concerned that the news website will act as promotional material for the Governor's agenda.
"We see all sorts of questions over the blending of government and a free media which we all count on to be able to do good jobs here in public service and to make sure that we ourselves are held accountable," he said.
"It goes one step beyond asking people, 'hey, will you write this about my healthcare plan,'" said IndyStar political reporter Tom LoBianco.
LoBianco was first to report about "Just IN." He's worried the site will circumvent reporters and plug propaganda-like news directly to voters.
"Some people have said it sounds too much like Goebbels. People have made Russian Pravda references, state-run media. It's a step beyond that," he said.
National news outlets picked up on "Just IN." The Atlantic Magazine dubbed the Governor's website, "Pravda on the Plains."
Illinois, with "The Illinois Government News Network," is the only other state with a slightly similar news distribution outlet.
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