DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- For 569 consecutive days, Headline Surfer, has had to endure the vindictive separate-and-unequal media policy that has been in place since Sheriff Mike Chitwood took office on Jan. 1, 2017.
Chitwood's media policy applies only to the award-winning 24-7 internet news site, which has won more journalism awards for breaking cops and courts news than all the other media outlets combined dating back to 2012.
To put the 569 days into clearer focus -- the unprecedented abuse of this media outlet by Chitwood spans one year, six months and 23 days. And what has Volusia County government done to intervene? Nothing.
Headline Surfer has been reporting news through its digital platform for 10-plus years now. It has two staffers and several community columnists. It has secured annual advertising/marketing contracts for a second consecutive year with Volusia County government and with Daytona State College. The internet news site also has ongoing private advertising contracts and has secured quite a few advertising contracts from candidates in Volusia and Seminole counties in this election cycle.
Headline Surfer has received dozens of awards from the Florida Press Club. The internet news site has moderated and hosted two dozen public candidate debates and is the only media outlet that endorses candidates for public office. It launched a Hall of Fame section last year.