Introduction / Mission
The Georgia Gazette was started in January of 2020 to provide Georgia with unfiltered access to reports of crime in communities large and small. In a world where most news outlets decide what matters and how you should feel about it, we do the opposite.
We’re not a mugshot site. Similar to how TMZ, Politico, ESPN, and TechCrunch each focus on a specific type of news, we choose crime.
We follow many cases from arrest until every appeal is exhausted. Our goal is to create a complete public record that is accurate, transparent, and free of editorial spin. While we can’t follow every case, we’re expanding our bandwidth every day.
Our Approach to News
We believe you deserve all the information, not a filtered version of it. That’s why we publish every arrest, not just the ones we think will get clicks. We don’t tell you what to care about or how to feel.
We deliberately keep our reporting concise and free of editorializing. While other outlets pad stories to increase time on page and revenue, we do the opposite – delivering just the facts in a format that respects your time and lets you quickly consume the information that matters to you.
Our stories come directly from public records obtained through the Georgia Open Records Act. We read, verify, and cross-check every document before it is published.
If something we publish turns out to be inaccurate, it’s almost always because the information we received was incorrect or incomplete. When that happens, we work to fix the information quickly. You can report a potential error anytime by emailing Support@TheGeorgiaGazette.com or using our contact form.
Ethical Guidelines
We publish facts, not opinions, except in clearly labeled opinion articles. Many of our reports are based on police narrative reports that we reproduce verbatim to avoid bias, interpretation, or sensationalism.
Every piece of content we produce is triple-checked for accuracy before it goes live. Our goal isn’t to tell stories that make people feel a certain way. It’s to document what happened, when it happened, and who was reported as being involved.
We protect the privacy of victims, witnesses, and uninvolved individuals by withholding names, phone numbers, home addresses, license plate numbers, and other identifying details that are not essential to the public record.
There are limited exceptions to this policy. We may publish the names of individuals listed as occupants of a vehicle where illegal drugs are found during a search, whether or not they are arrested. We may also include addresses when a search warrant is executed, as nearby residents have a right to know when law enforcement actions occur in their community.
Why We Include Booking Photographs
Booking photographs serve an important purpose in responsible journalism. They help ensure accuracy by preventing misidentification, especially in cases involving common names. They also support transparency by showing that law enforcement operates in public view, not behind closed doors.
They’re vital for public safety. When someone is arrested and later released on bond, the community deserves to know who that person is and what they’ve been accused of. Awareness can help protect victims and prevent further harm while due process takes its course.
We publish all bookings to eliminate selective reporting and bias. Whether a charge seems serious or minor, you have the right to decide what matters to you. The reality is that even so-called “minor” crimes can reveal patterns in how the system operates – and hiding them protects no one.
Some criticize the publication of arrests, saying it can embarrass or harm those involved. But the truth is, whether we report it or not, the arrest still happened. The messenger isn’t to blame for shining light on public records. Transparency creates accountability, and public scrutiny helps ensure that law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts do their jobs fairly.
Publishing booking photographs also maintains a historical record. These images, paired with public arrest information, document how the justice system operates and hold everyone accountable.
We comply fully with O.C.G.A. § 10-1-393.5, which governs the lawful removal of booking photographs. Instructions for requesting removal are available at thegeorgiagazette.com/removal-request.
Our Second Chance Policy
Beyond what the law requires, we created a Second Chance Policy that allows individuals to request removal of their arrest information even if their case ended in conviction.
A Second Chance Committee (SCC) reviews each request based on factors such as the severity of the charge, time since arrest, case outcome, and overall criminal history. The committee operates anonymously to ensure fairness and consistency.
We believe people should not be defined by their lowest moments. The SCC evaluates whether the continued publication of a record serves the public’s interest or causes more harm than good.
No one can pay for removal. We will never ask for or accept compensation for takedown requests. This is about fairness, not profit. Learn more at thegeorgiagazette.com/second-chance-policy.
Our Impact
The Georgia Gazette is read more than 20 million times a month, serving as the primary and often only source of crime news (or news at all, for that matter) for many small Georgia towns. Where local papers have become little more than government bulletins, we provide real, objective reporting.
We routinely receive emails from law enforcement agencies across the country thanking us for publishing booking photographs that helped solve crimes through facial recognition technology. These images have connected cases across jurisdictions and helped bring closure to victims’ families.
Georgia citizens regularly reach out to express gratitude for our coverage of stories that other publications ignore, often due to advertiser or political pressure. We’ve exposed misconduct that would have stayed hidden, given victims a voice when no one else would listen, and invested in costly records requests that traditional media won’t touch because there’s no profit in accountability.
We process dozens of qualified removal requests daily, going beyond legal requirements with our Second Chance Policy. We’ve helped correct errors in official records that affected real people’s lives. Our reporting has sparked public discussions that led to policy changes.
Our growing subscriber base, who choose to support independent journalism directly, tells us this approach matters. In a media landscape where legal ad revenue and corporate advertisers often dictate coverage, our independence allows us to report on anyone without fear of financial retaliation.
This isn’t just about transparency. It’s about ensuring you have access to the same public information, regardless of where you live or who you know.
Our Original Productions
The Georgia Gazette doesn’t just report the news – we also dig deeper into the stories that shaped it. Through our original YouTube series, we explore Georgia’s most gripping, complex, and forgotten cases.
Behind The Headlines, hosted by Joshua John, brings viewers inside Georgia’s most chilling mysteries. From the cult in Eaton that erected Egyptian monuments to the unsolved murders of the Dermonds and the devastating Hudson Bridge homicides in Henry County, the series uncovers the hidden truths behind the headlines. Our goal is to raise awareness, honor victims, and remind communities that real danger can exist just around the corner.
Final Judgement, hosted by Nichole Mondshein, dives into Georgia’s most shocking cases, focusing on death row, executions, wrongful convictions, and exonerations. Join us as we uncover the stories, the secrets, and the final moments that define justice in Georgia.
You can find both series on our official YouTube channel.
Independence and Transparency
We operate with complete editorial independence. Our reporting decisions are not influenced by outside interests, advertisers, or public pressure.
Every story is judged by the same standard: Is it true? Is it public record? Is it relevant to the people of Georgia? If the answer is yes, we publish it without fear or favor.
About the Publisher
The Georgia Gazette is published by Matt Sayle, who also serves as CEO of Abatis Media, LLC. Abatis Media is a separate entity that provides technical and operational support but does not control or own The Georgia Gazette.
The publication is based in the Savannah metro area, with a team of nearly 30 dedicated professionals who help ensure accuracy and timeliness in everything we publish.
We welcome editorials, opinion pieces, and guest columns from anyone who wants to contribute to meaningful public discussion.
We’re not here to entertain or persuade. We’re here to inform. Thank you for supporting independent journalism and transparency in Georgia. Questions or comments can be directed to Matt@TheGeorgiaGazette.com.
Contact
For questions, story ideas, corrections, or editorials:
The Georgia Gazette, LLC
PO BOX 2325
Richmond Hill, GA 31324
📧 Support@TheGeorgiaGazette.com
📍 thegeorgiagazette.com/contact