About Florence News Journal
Florence News Journal, privately owned and operated by MI-KA MEDIA LLC, is a local news publication serving Florence, Florence County, and the surrounding Pee Dee region of South Carolina.
Our purpose is simple: to provide useful, accurate, community-focused journalism that helps readers understand what is happening around them, how public decisions affect their daily lives, and where to find reliable information when it matters.
We cover local government, public safety, education, health, business, community life, infrastructure, public meetings, development, civic issues, and stories that affect families, workers, students, seniors, and small businesses across the region.
Our Mission
Florence News Journal exists to give readers clear, practical, and trustworthy information about their community.
We believe local journalism should do more than report headlines. It should help residents understand decisions made by public officials, track changes in schools and neighborhoods, explain public services, highlight local challenges, and recognize the people and organizations working to improve the community.
What We Cover
Our coverage focuses on:
- Florence city and county government
- Public meetings, boards, commissions, and elections
- Schools, colleges, and education policy
- Public safety and emergency information
- Health care access and community health
- Local businesses, jobs, and economic development
- Housing, transportation, roads, and infrastructure
- Community events, nonprofit work, and local culture
- In-depth explainers and data-supported reporting
We prioritize stories with direct local impact and practical value for readers.
Our Editorial Standards
Florence News Journal is committed to accuracy, fairness, transparency, and accountability.
We aim to verify information before publication, identify sources clearly whenever possible, distinguish news from opinion, and correct errors promptly. When a story relies on public records, government notices, meeting materials, reports, interviews, or other documents, we seek to make that sourcing clear to readers.
Articles may include links to official records, agency pages, public documents, reports, or other source material when available.
History
The News Journal (Florence News Journal) is committed to the community.
The Florence County Shopper served as its founding name in 1982. In 1984, the paper transitioned to a broadsheet format and changed its name to The News & Shopper, reflecting its transformation into a free community newspaper. The News & Shopper’s acceptance as a community newspaper led to another name change to The News Journal in 1993.
Following a change in ownership in 2002, there were favorable revisions, including a redesign of the paper, updated equipment, and a move to a nicer office and a more visible location.
In July 2006, publisher Don Swartz became owner of The News Journal and its sister publications, The Hartsville News Journal and The Marion County News Journal. In the fall of 2006, Don Swartz purchased property in downtown Florence and, after extensive renovations, relocated The News Journal to its then home, 312 Railroad Ave., which also housed its own press. The News Journal printed its first issues from this press on Feb. 27, 2007.
The News Journal was a subsidiary of Swartz Media.
Fourteen employees, several of whom have more than 15 years with the company, worked together to produce The News Journal and its sister publications.
The News Journal’s print edition featured home delivery to 16,000 in the city of Florence and close proximity.
In 2018, The News Journal rebranded to Florence News Journal. Today, Florence News Journal represents the Florence County community and operates as a standalone online local newspaper that covers news with the focus on Florence County, Columbia and South Carolina.