Championing the First Amendment with Jack Marsh
In 2020, Jack Marsh was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame as a Champion of the First Amendment and for his personal and professional ethics in journalism and business. Through decades of leadership in newsrooms, nonprofit initiatives, and community organizations, Marsh has left a lasting imprint on the state he proudly calls home. “I’m a South Dakotan by choice,” he shared. That choice has shaped more than 30 years of service, integrity, and mentorship across the media landscape.
Putting Down Roots
Originally from New York, Marsh began his journalism career as an 18-year-old reporter and went on to spend the first half of his career with the Gannett Company, the nation’s largest newspaper publisher at the time. In 1992, he moved to South Dakota as editor of the Argus Leader in Sioux Falls. His philosophy was simple but powerful: wherever life takes you, put down roots, embrace your community, and contribute to its growth. That outlook made South Dakota not just his home but his life’s work.
Creating Opportunities
Under Marsh’s leadership, the Argus Leader earned a reputation for courageous and principled journalism. He championed editorial integrity, encouraging staff to “speak out on what we believe in and what we stand for.” His career took a defining turn when he joined the Freedom Forum, a national foundation dedicated to advancing press freedom, ethics, and diversity in journalism. Working alongside visionary media leader and fellow South Dakota Hall of Fame Inductee Al Neuharth, Marsh led initiatives to raise journalistic standards nationwide and create opportunities for underrepresented communities, particularly Native American youth.
After retiring, Marsh co-founded South Dakota News Watch, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization created to strengthen local journalism. The model he helped pioneer has since become a national example of innovation in sustaining truthful independent reporting.
Honesty, Curiosity, Civility, and Kindness
Marsh’s life and work are rooted in values of honesty, curiosity, civility, and kindness. “Maybe I showed some kindness and modeled that for some other people,” he reflected. “We need more kindness, and we each need to extend grace to one another.”
He believes deeply in the power of truth and integrity, encouraging young journalists to hold themselves to professional and ethical standards even as the industry evolves. To Marsh, a good journalist is curious, respectful, and unafraid to ask difficult questions. Someone who is always “standing up in a fair manner to ask questions that are on everyone’s mind.”
A Lasting Impact
The impact of Jack Marsh’s leadership can be seen in the organizations he built, the journalists he mentored, and the communities that continue to benefit from transparent, ethical storytelling. His partnership with Al Neuharth helped redefine journalism education, while South Dakota News Watch continues to ensure that the people of South Dakota have access to credible, independent news.
From the newsroom to the boardroom, Jack Marsh’s story is a testament to courage, ethics, and community.
Watch the full interview below with Jack Marsh, hosted by South Dakota Hall of Fame Board Director Marci Burdick, to hear his reflections and wisdom in his own words.