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Oral History: Lee Harter

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Oral History of S.C. Newspapers

Lee Harter

The Times and Democrat
Orangeburg, SC

Long-time editor of The Times and Democrat

Former SCPA President recalls Hurricane Hugo coverage.

Video Interview

This video has been edited for length. If you’d like to listen to the full raw audio from our interview with Lee Harter, contact SCPA.

Photo Gallery

Harter sits at his desk in the Times and Democrat newsroom.
Harter sits at his desk in the Times and Democrat newsroom.
Harter working on his computer at the Times and Democrat newsroom.
Harter working on his computer at the Times and Democrat newsroom.
Harter in the early newspaper days.
Harter in the early newspaper days.
Harter’s story called “Tragedy in Santee” was published in the Times and Democrat on January 23, 1980.
Harter’s story called “Tragedy in Santee” was published in the Times and Democrat on January 23, 1980.
Harter as the South Carolina Press Association President.
Harter as the South Carolina Press Association President.
Harter’s story about Hurricane Hugo in the SCPA Bulletin.
Harter’s story about Hurricane Hugo in the SCPA Bulletin.
Harter in the Times and Democrat newsroom.
Harter in the Times and Democrat newsroom.
In “Editor’s Reflections,” Harter recalls 25 years of news during the Times and Democrat’s 125th anniversary (page one).
In “Editor’s Reflections,” Harter recalls 25 years of news during the Times and Democrat’s 125th anniversary (page one).
In “Editor’s Reflections,” Harter recalls 25 years of news during the Times and Democrat’s 125th anniversary (page two).
In “Editor’s Reflections,” Harter recalls 25 years of news during the Times and Democrat’s 125th anniversary (page two).
In “Editor’s Reflections,” Harter recalls 25 years of news during the Times and Democrat’s 125th anniversary (page three).
In “Editor’s Reflections,” Harter recalls 25 years of news during the Times and Democrat’s 125th anniversary (page three).

Related Links

Biography

Born: September 25, 1956 in Allendale County 

Newspaper History:

  • The Times and Democrat, editor (1978 to present; was named editor in 1981)
  • The State (college) 
  • Hampton County Guardian (high school) 
  • President of S.C. Press Association (1989-1990)

Honors and Awards:

  • 400 staff awards from the South Carolina Press Association
  • 50 individual awards

Education: B.A. from the University of South Carolina School of Journalism and Mass Communications

Family: When Harter came to Orangeburg in 1978, he met his wife Pam Beach Harter when she was a sales employee at The Times and Democrat.  They were married in 1983 and have two sons, Austin and Andrew.

Notes: At 32 years old, Harter was the youngest South Carolina Press Association President to take office. Harter is also a writer for the daily editorial expressing the newspapers position. Since October of 1981, Harter has conservatively written more than 10,000 editorials.

SCPA's oral history project is dedicated to preserving the heritage of our state's journalists and newspapers.

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This program is funded by the South Carolina Humanities Council, whose mission is to enrich the cultural and intellectual lives of all South Carolinians. This program is co-sponsored by the University of South Carolina’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications.