Episode 44. John Harralson, Jr. – Former Owner and Past Editor of The Voice-Tribune (1987-2005)
John Harralson loved to document how people interact at community events.
John was the publisher and editor of The Voice-Tribune newspaper in Louisville, Kentucky, with a weekly readership of 70,000.
He had a diverse background working in both the private and public sectors.
Before working with The Voice-Tribune, John served three terms as mayor of Brownsboro Village and was president of the Jefferson County League of Cities.
In addition, he spent 30 years with Bellsouth, where he was head of public relations.
John is a veteran of the U.S. Army and served in Japan at the end of World War II.
John H. Harralson, Jr. was a prominent figure in Louisville, Kentucky, known for his roles as a journalist, editor, and publisher.
He is most well-known for owning and managing the Voice of St. Matthews, which later became the Voice-Tribune, a local newspaper serving the Louisville community.
Key Highlights of His Life:
- Newspaper Leadership: Harralson acquired the Voice of St. Matthews in the mid-20th century and transformed it into a widely respected community newspaper. Under his leadership, the paper expanded its coverage beyond local news and eventually renamed the Voice-Tribune to reflect its broader readership.
- Open Records Advocacy: Harralson is remembered for advocating public access to governmental records. His involvement in legal battles for transparency helped lay the groundwork for Kentucky’s open records laws, which grant the public greater access to government documents. His newspaper’s challenges to local government over access to public records had a lasting impact on journalism in Kentucky(
- Community Involvement: Beyond journalism, Harralson was deeply involved in the Louisville community, contributing to local discussions on governance, civic life, and transparency. His legacy is often tied to his efforts to foster informed citizenry through accessible journalism.
- Later Life and Legacy: Harralson remained a central figure in local media until his retirement. He passed away at 94 in 2022, leaving a lasting influence on the local journalism landscape in Louisville.
Through his work, Harralson made significant contributions to the media industry and public accountability in Kentucky. His newspaper served as a vital source of information for many decades.
He held a degree in business administration from the University of Kentucky.
The Voice of St. Matthews was a local newspaper serving the St. Matthews area of Louisville, Kentucky.
It was originally established in 1949 and later became known as the Voice-Tribune.
John H. Harralson, Jr., who played a significant role in its development, acquired and managed the paper.
Under his leadership, the Voice of St. Matthews covered local events and community issues and became a prominent part of the local media landscape.
Harralson was also instrumental in pushing for access to public records, which contributed to the early discussions around Kentucky’s open records laws.
His commitment to local journalism helped the newspaper gain recognition beyond the St. Matthews community.
The paper maintained its influence for many decades before transitioning ownership and expanding its focus to broader areas within Louisville.