Davidson was editor of the Daytona Beach News-Journal from 1928 through 1985, and publisher from 1962 through 1985. He fought tirelessly on behalf of open government, civil rights and the First Amendment throughout his career.
Davidson was arrested twice in pursuit of press freedom. He played a key role in the 1934 Florida Supreme Court decision affirming the publicÌs right to inspect records and in the 1971 U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning FloridaÌs infamous “right to reply” law.
He also was instrumental in the founding of the University of Florida School of Journalism and was honored by the University in 1974 for a “lifetime of distinguished service to journalism.”
