Paul Thompson on Truth, Tough Questions and Running the Phoenix Business Journal

Описание: What does it take to lead a newsroom in a time when trust, truth, and transparency matter more than ever?

In this episode of Off Deadline, Paul Thompson, Managing Editor of the Phoenix Business Journal, joins host Melissa DiGianfilippo, founder and CEO of Proof Publicity, for a candid conversation about modern journalism, editorial judgment, and the responsibility that comes with telling difficult stories.

Paul shares how covering crime early in his career shaped the way he approaches leadership today, why chasing hard stories still matters, and how business journalism intersects with public accountability. He also opens up about newsroom culture, separating emotion from reporting, the pressure of deadlines, and why curiosity, humility, and courage remain essential in journalism.

🎙 Off Deadline goes beyond the byline to explore the people making critical editorial decisions behind the scenes.

Chapters

0:00 Welcome and Paul’s role at the Phoenix Business Journal
1:22 Early career path and finding journalism
3:10 Covering crime and learning emotional discipline
5:48 Why the hardest stories matter most
8:32 Separating personal opinion from reporting
11:10 The responsibility journalists carry
14:05 Chasing truth versus chasing attention
17:04 How newsroom debates actually work
20:06 Leadership inside a modern newsroom
23:12 Deadlines, pressure and decision making
26:18 Journalism myths PR professionals still believe
29:44 Trust, credibility and business journalism
33:10 AI, technology and the future of reporting
36:40 Staying human while staying objective
39:30 Rapid fire and final reflections

#OffDeadline #PaulThompson #PhoenixBusinessJournal #Journalism #ProofPublicity