Daily Reporter publisher leaves position to oversee commercial printing division

The plaques sit on a credenza in Randall Shields’ office, not far from other mementos from his career as a newspaper publisher.

The two trophies, for editorial writing, are his favorite things in that intimate collection. They are the essence of why he went into the newspaper business 40 years ago. A good newspaper, he said then and reiterates now, is a thought leader in its community. It serves as a vital forum in which diverse opinions are shared and debated.

Shields, a Hancock County native, has championed that credo since taking over as publisher of the Daily Reporter in 1997. It also will be his legacy as he steps away from that job to take on more responsibilities with the newspaper’s parent company.

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