Indiana’s Republican Gov. Mike Pence said Thursday he is scuttling plans to launch a state-funded public relations media venture, “JustIN,” an about-face that comes just days after the project first made headlines.
“As you are aware, concern has arisen regarding the development of a new website for the state of Indiana,” Pence said. “However well intentioned, after thorough review of the preliminary planning and careful consideration of the concerns expressed … I have made a decision to terminate development of the JustIN website immediately.
“The original intent of this project was to make press releases more readily available in a one-stop website for the convenience of the press and the public. At present, approximately 50 of the 90 executive branch state agencies and commissions post press releases on the state’s current public calendar website. This results in the press and the public having to visit multiple sources to stay informed about state activities.”
After “JustIN” first made headlines this week, the media reaction was less-than-enthusiastic, with many reports characterizing Pence’s proposed site as a state-run news agency.
“Gov. Mike Pence’s state-run news outlet will compete with media,” the Indianapolis Star reported this week. The Daily Beast sounded the alarm, blaring in a headline: “Indiana’s Taxpayer-Funded Fake News Org.” The Washington Post added in a headline of its own: “The governor of Indiana is about to have his very own state-sponsored news outlet.”
Pence pushed back Wednesday, saying in an interview with an Indiana-based news group that it was inaccurate to characterize “JustIN” as a state-run news group.
Nevertheless, Pence abandoned the project after the barrage of criticism.
“[R]ather than developing a new website, I have instructed the Office of Information Technology update the current public calendar website to ensure that the press and the public have unfiltered and convenient access to all press releases and public meeting notices,” Pence said.
