Eric Pierce: Downey Patriot’s Editor-in-Chief

Founded in Downey, California, the Downey Patriot is a newspaper that is known for their local news and politics, sports, entertainment, and community events. Within the newspaper, there is a remarkable team of journalists in which many have volunteered or started their career pathway upon. From retired actors to teachers, every journalist in the Downey Patriot is or was able to share their stories and shine a light on their voice within the community. The current Downey Patriot team is under the leadership of Eric Pierce, the newspaper’s editor-in-chief. Pierce is a welcoming member of the Downey community who is able to support and contribute to his city through journalism. 

Pierce was inspired to become a journalist from his high school English teacher who happened to be the newspaper advisor. “I went to California High School in Whittier,” he states. “And the counselor said, no, I was too young to join the newspaper. So I had to wait till my sophomore year and I joined the newspaper. Instantly, I knew I loved it.” He knew immediately that he had a passion for journalism, no questions asked. “This is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.” He loved being around creative people who had different interests, but the same mission. “We had people who enjoyed writing about sports and other people who enjoyed writing about music. But we’re all part of the same team, right? And I loved it.” 

As he climbed to the ranks as editor-in-chief of Downey Patriot, Pierce looks forward to giving people a voice to those who are marginalized or victims of injustice. “I enjoy giving people a voice, people who maybe feel like they don’t have a voice or they need somebody to speak on their behalf, I’m happy to do it.” He emphasizes the importance of giving people a voice and making people feel like they matter and they’re important. “I love standing up for them. If it's the government or whatever it is, I love giving people a voice and making them feel like they matter and they’re important. I think, as an adult, what I do now is keeping our elected officials accountable to the people.”

Fulfilling his role as editor-in-chief, he takes on the duty of ensuring that the week is successful for the publication. According to Pierce, he says that, “Mondays are lots of preparations — that’s when I get the week started. I speak to our sports writers to see what he’s gonna be covering. Tuesdays, we tend to have city council meetings, so it’s covering and preparing for those meetings. It’s also for preparing social media. Wednesdays are designing the actual digital paper. Thursdays are when we actually go to print. So that’s when things are finalized, we do the proofreading, and send the paper off to the printer. Finally, Fridays are distribution days.” 

Pierce’s editing philosophy is crystal clear: be as honest and accurate as possible. “You got to be accurate, you got to be accurate,” he states. “I hate clickbait. If you can explain the news and give information in your headline, please do it.” He firmly believes that TV stations, social media, and other news outlets are meant to serve the readers. “Don’t try to be too cute, just remember what your primary role is: give the news and educate people.” Moreover, he values news over opinion because it is “important to give the facts and let people come to their own conclusions.” He never intends to make people upset; his service for readers is to report the news. 

His leadership style in order for Downey Patriot to thrive is leading by example. “I want to give people the resources that they need to succeed,” he states. “And I just want them to go out and do it.” He recalls times when he sends writers to city council meetings that tend to be boring, but it is important for Downey Patriot to be visible in the community. Additionally, he finds it fantastic whenever reporters leave the publication to go on and do bigger things in their lifetime. He considers those happenings a success. “I feel like I don’t have much of an ego. I just want you to succeed; I want the newspaper to succeed,” he says. “So a lot of it comes down to leading by example and trying to be as helpful as possible.”

Downey Patriot is a publication that thrives through connective news and content that is shared within the Downey community. Because of Eric Pierce’s leadership and initiative as editor-in-chief, many in the city are united through news coverage and the representation of individuals’ voices. Pierce continues to be a role model for many in the newspaper, and we applaud him for his leadership and ability to connect with his community. 

Image Courtesy of Sophia Dio.