This is a victory for the Wake Forest right to know. Last week, a judge in Franklin County, North Carolina, dismissed a no-contact order filed in connection with my reporting in “No Fear, No Retreat, No Surrender.” The court reviewed the facts and determined that the allegations did not meet the legal statute, finding no cause to support the order.
I want to take this moment to clarify the standards that guide Wake Forest Matters.
My approach to reporting is grounded in the discipline I learned during my 10 years in the United States Navy. As a former Petty Officer First Class who held a Top Secret clearance and a position of public trust, I do not take the handling of information lightly. My background is one of service, and I view my role in this community through that same lens.
Journalism is a process of verification. My reporting is based on witness interviews, verified/confirmed using open-source research and public records requests, standard tools used to ensure accuracy.
The court’s ruling affirms a simple but important distinction: asking questions, reviewing public documents, and reporting facts is not harassment. It is the function of a free press.
I run Wake Forest Matters because my family has deep roots here, going back to the colonial era. I care about the future of this town. My goal is transparency and public safety, ensuring Wake Forest is a place where “y’all means all.”
The dismissal sends a clear message: attempts to use the legal system to silence legitimate reporting about Wake Forest right to know issues will not succeed. Local journalism serves a vital role in holding power accountable and ensuring residents have access to the information they need to make informed decisions.
We will continue to focus on the work: verifying facts, reading the records, and keeping the community informed. The Wake Forest right to know is fundamental to a healthy democracy, and we will defend it always.
Tom Baker IV is the publisher of Wake Forest Matters, Wake Forest’s only independent local newsroom. A Wake Forest native, Navy veteran, and intelligence professional, Tom launched Wake Forest Matters to bring serious accountability journalism to his hometown. Tips and story ideas: publisher@wakeforestmatters.com