The Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism is excited to announce that it has joinedthe growing news operation at WHRO Public Media.
Launched in 2019 by veteran Virginia journalists Christopher Tyree and Louis Hansen, VCIJ has been offering enhanced news coverage and in-depth reporting on issues vital to residents of the commonwealth. That won’t change.
This new venture, the Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism at WHRO, marks a further expansion of the Norfolk-based nonprofit broadcaster’s initiative to bolster independent journalism. WHRO launched its newsroom in 2020, and has a staff of three reporters and a news director dedicated to Hampton Roads coverage.
“We are committed to local journalism and plan to become a significant player,” said Bert Schmidt, president and CEO of WHRO Public Media. “We know what has happened to journalism locally and around the country, especially with newspapers. And we know in a news desert there’s corruption and higher taxes. If nobody’s watching the shop, things happen.”
Louis Hansen, Senior Editor
Hansen and Tyree bring more than 40 years of experience working at The Virginian-Pilot and other major newspapers and news organizations. VCIJ at WHRO will continue to focus on criminal justice, environmental and government investigations as well as enterprise stories and timely features across the state.
“VCIJ started as an effort to bring quality, independent journalism to growing news deserts in the state,” Hansen said. “Investigative journalism is vital to a functioning democracy. We want to bring to light issues that have been under-covered, and serve as a watchdog for the community. Our partnership with WHRO enhances and expands our mission.”
Christopher Tyree, Senior Director
“It was clear after talking with citizens, that Virginians wanted a trustworthy news source looking out for them,” Tyree said. “As an independent news organization with a statewide focus, our coverage of important issues will continue to give Virginians the information and tools they need to be active participants in our representative democracy.”
About WHRO Public Media: Since its founding in 1961 to support education, WHRO has employed creativity and technology to serve the residents of eastern Virginia in its mission to educate, inform and entertain viewers and listeners of WHRO’s four television and five radio stations. Owned by 21 local school divisions, WHRO proudly delivers online educational and new media services to 286,000 students and 25,000 educators per month. To learn more, visit whro.org.