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Georgia Political Papers and Oral History Program

The Georgia Political Papers and Oral History Program is comprised of over 3,000 linear feet of archival collections, along with an extensive number of oral history interviews, that document the unique political culture of the state of Georgia.

James G. "Jim" Minter

James G. "Jim" Minter (b. 1930) was born in Inman, Georgia. He attended North Georgia College and the University of Georgia. While at UGA, he worked as a sportswriter for the school's Red and Black newspaper, ultimately obtaining a job with the Atlanta Journal and the Atlanta Constitution. Minter was eventually appointed executive editor of the combined Atlanta Journal-Constitution.; Interviewed by Dr. Mel Steely on June 2, 2005 at the UWG-TV Studio.; Minter begins by discussing his heritage, coming from an agricultural and pioneering background, his childhood, his schooling and his military involvement. He had an early involvement in journalism, both in school and in the military. After leaving the military, he went to work at the Atlanta Journal as a sports writer. He speaks of his early years at the paper, the writers who inspired him, and his transition into managing editor of the paper in 1971. Minter speaks for some time about the different editors and journalists that he worked alongside while at the paper, including Eugene Patterson and Reg Murphy. He discusses at length the details of the kidnapping of Reg Murphy, editor of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. The Cox family, of Cox Enterprises, is the next topic of conversation, and the level of their involvement with the media. Minter then speaks of the issues and people involved with the entry of major league sports in Atlanta, GA. The conversation then turns to a flurry of topics, Civil Rights, biases and prejudices, Herman E. Talmadge, Ralph McGill, etc.