Mike Jenner

PolitiFact Missouri editor

Mike Jenner, an award-winning editor with a strong history of innovation, is the Houston Harte Endowed Chair at the Missouri School of Journalism. Jenner focuses on innovation’s role in journalism.

In 2010 Jenner joined the faculty from The Bakersfield Californian, the family-owned community daily newspaper where he was a leader for almost 17 years, 11 of them as top editor.

Jenner works closely with all areas at the School and Missouri’s Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute, a world-class center for researching and testing new models of journalism. He is involved in teaching, research and in identifying, testing and promoting new business models and approaches to journalism.

Jenner joined The Californian in 1993 as managing editor. He launched the company’s interactive media division, developing Bakersfield.com. He was then appointed top editor. Under his leadership, The Californian became known as a champion of watchdog reporting and a feisty local paper. Through a focus on transparency and ethics, Jenner helped develop an enduring bond with readers.