Prior to founding Martin Publishing, Martin was editor of the Cherokee One Feather from 1996 - 2007. After the tribe’s Free Press Act was tested by the Principal Chief in October of 2007 with no enforcement resulting, Martin concluded that the only way any free press can exist on Eastern Band of Cherokee land is for it to be privately owned.

Who Is the Cherokee Times; What is it About?

The Cherokee Times is a weekly newspaper owned by Martin Publishing, LLC, a company owned by R. Joseph Martin, Angela Martin and Don Rose.

The paper came into existence after a serious challenge to the tribe's Free Press Law came from the principal chief's office in October, 2007. Principal Chief Michell Hicks issued an executive order calling for an end to a highly popular commentary column in the Cherokee One Feather, while Joseph Martin was editor.

He challenged the legality of the order. A resolution asking Tribal Council to rescind the order failed to pass. It wasn't long afterward that Martin was removed as editor of the One Feather.

The media, protected by free press and free speech laws, serve as a valid part of a democratic society. It's a watchdog, keeping public officials accountable. When the only media is owned by the tribe, that media can only be free when it has leadership that believes in a free press. When that's not the case, there is no freedom. There is no watchdog. There is no one looking out for the interests of the people. The people will go from being constituents to being subjects. Democracy will cease to exist.

For a time after those events in October, the former One Feather editor began a process to fast track plans for a privately-owned and financed publication, plans that had been in the works since 2000. After contacting various publishers and business people, he finally approached accomplished businessman Don Rose, who was equally enthusiastic about an independently-owned newspaper. Business plans were put into the works. The former editor brought on his wife and teammate to handle the business side of it. They put their resources together, and Martin Publishing and the Cherokee Times were born.

The Cherokee Times will bring a level of journalistic professionalism and integrity to the table. It's the goal of both Martin Publishing and the Cherokee Times to conduct all news gathering fairly and objectively, but aggressively and truthfully. All sides of any story deserve to be told and those sides will be sought.

The people of Cherokee, Snowbird and Cherokee County understand the difference between news and fluff. So does the Cherokee Times. We will not blur the line between news and public relations. We will not mislead. We will not downplay the importance of certain news events.

Most importantly, this publication is not beholden to the wills of elected officials. It is beholden to the truth in its news reporting. It's beholden to the professional standards of the journalism industry.

We will listen to our audience. We will work diligently to prevent errors and act quickly to correct them. We will hold ourselves accountable,

These factors together will enable us to provide the Cherokee tribal communities with the type of newspaper they deserve.