Once a key player in Missouri’s political news landscape, The Missouri Times now finds itself a shadow of its former self, thanks to decisions made by its publisher, Scott Faughn. Under his leadership, the publication, which was once known for breaking stories and providing in-depth political coverage, has lost much of its journalistic integrity and relevance. Most notably, it no longer employs any dedicated news reporters.
The downfall of The Missouri Times can be traced to a number of factors, but none more impactful than Faughn's mismanagement of the paper’s resources. Originally founded as a political news source with a focus on Missouri’s legislature, The Missouri Times catered to a niche audience interested in state government and political maneuvering. It garnered respect for its reporting on statehouse activity, policy debates, and political scandals.
However, in recent years, the publication has suffered a steep decline. As the digital media age rapidly transformed the way news is consumed, many local outlets struggled to keep up. But for The Missouri Times, the answer wasn't to innovate; instead, Faughn seemed to step back from the editorial side of the operation. A critical move, or lack thereof, was the steady erosion of its newsroom staff. Once full of experienced reporters who dug deep into state issues, the paper now has no full-time reporters left on the payroll. The void left by these departures has led to a lack of investigative reporting and a stark reduction in original content.
This has made The Missouri Times less of a reliable news source and more of an outlet reliant on press releases, recycled content, and the occasional opinion piece. With no reporters to cover legislative sessions or hold public officials accountable, Faughn's paper has become a mere echo of what it once was, rather than the active force in Missouri politics it used to be.
In an age when transparency and investigative journalism are crucial for the public’s trust in government, Faughn’s decision to downsize the newsroom has only deepened The Missouri Times’ irrelevance. Readers looking for thoughtful analysis and fresh reporting now have little reason to turn to the paper, as most of its content comes from sources that can’t hold public figures’ feet to the fire or explore the nuances of state politics.
But this situation isn’t unique to The Missouri Times. Many news organizations, especially those in smaller markets, have struggled to balance the business side of operations with their journalistic missions. However, Faughn’s approach has raised serious concerns about the future of political reporting in Missouri. By failing to adapt while maintaining a shrinking staff, The Missouri Times has gone from a credible voice in state politics to a hollow, underfunded platform.
In addition to his editorial missteps, Faughn's leadership has been marred by controversy. In May 2018, he was expelled from the Missouri Capitol News Association (MCNA) by a unanimous vote of its members. This decision stemmed from ethical concerns regarding Faughn's involvement in political activities that conflicted with journalistic standards. The MCNA, which was established in 1988 to support news organizations covering state government, mandates that members maintain editorial independence from political parties, lobbying entities, and business groups. Faughn's actions, including delivering $50,000 in cash to a lawyer connected to the Governor Eric Greitens' scandal, were perceived as violations of these ethical guidelines.
Following the vote, Faughn expressed disappointment, criticizing the decision as an example of media hypocrisy. Despite the ouster, he continued his role as publisher of The Missouri Times and host of the television program This Week in Missouri Politics. However, this episode highlighted a larger issue with Faughn’s approach to journalism, as his entanglements with political figures seemed to compromise the objectivity expected from a publication that once prided itself on its independence.
The lack of news coverage, particularly political reporting, leaves a dangerous gap in the state's media ecosystem. As political figures continue to shape Missouri’s laws and policies, the absence of reporters from the newsroom means fewer eyes are watching. Whether it was an intentional choice by Faughn to cut costs or a series of misjudgments over the years, the result has been the same: The Missouri Times has entered into its final act, fading out of relevance in a crucial time for its readers.
In contrast, The Missouri Independent has emerged as a formidable presence in Missouri's media landscape. Established in 2020, it is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization dedicated to investigative journalism and daily reporting on state government and its impact on the lives of Missourians. Unlike The Missouri Times, The Missouri Independent maintains a robust team of experienced reporters who provide in-depth coverage of legislative sessions, policy debates, and political developments. This commitment to quality journalism has garnered a growing readership, positioning The Missouri Independent as a reliable source for those seeking comprehensive and unbiased reporting on Missouri politics.
Missouri deserves a strong, independent voice in political journalism—a voice that informs, challenges, and holds power to account. Unfortunately, The Missouri Times under Scott Faughn’s leadership has fallen short of that goal. The question now remains: Can the paper recover, or has its fate already been sealed? Meanwhile, The Missouri Independent continues to fill the void, offering the investigative reporting and political analysis that Missouri readers need and deserve.
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this article cites the key points about Scott Faughn's expulsion from the MCNA, his ongoing role with The Missouri Times, and the emergence of The Missouri Independent as a more robust news source.
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