Photo via SaportaReport
James G. 'Jim' Minter, a towering figure in Atlanta's media history and former editor of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, died May 27 at the age of 95. Minter, a resident of Inman in Fayette County, left an indelible mark on Atlanta business journalism and the broader news landscape during his tenure at the city's flagship newspaper.
True to his understated nature, Minter's family honored his wishes for a modest farewell. A graveside memorial service was held May 30, where Rev. David Campbell noted that Minter specifically requested the service be free of lengthy speeches—a fitting reflection of a newsman who preferred substance over ceremony and let his work speak for itself.
During his years at the helm of the AJC, Minter was instrumental in establishing editorial standards and journalistic integrity that shaped how Atlanta's business community and civic leaders engaged with the press. His influence extended beyond the newsroom, affecting how Atlanta's corporate world, politicians, and entrepreneurs received coverage during critical periods of the city's development.
Minter's death marks the end of an era for Atlanta journalism. His legacy endures through the generations of reporters, editors, and business communicators he influenced, as well as the institutional standards he helped cement at one of the South's most important newspapers. For Atlanta's business community, Minter represented an era when local journalism served as a crucial pillar of corporate accountability and civic engagement.
