Spotlight PA's approach to Journalism in PA

Christopher Baxter, CEO, President, and founding editor of Spotlight PA, will discuss a new approach to preserving investigative journalism in Pennsylvania. Founded in 2019, Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit newsroom covering state government and important statewide issues. Its reporting is available to readers at no charge and is shared with news organizations throughout Pennsylvania. Baxter will discuss how the nonprofit model can help fill the void created as traditional newspapers reduce their reporting staffs, while continuing journalism's important role of informing the public and holding government accountable.
Christopher Baxter helped launch Spotlight PA and today serves as its CEO and President. Before Spotlight PA, he was editor for data and investigations at NJ Advance Media, publisher of NJ.com and The Star-Ledger. Earlier, he spent four years as an investigative reporter covering the New Jersey Statehouse for The Star-Ledger and began his career at The Morning Call in Allentown.

His investigative work has received numerous national honors, including the Livingston Award for Local Reporting, the Investigative Reporters & Editors Freedom of Information Award, and awards for public-service and investigative data journalism.

Spotlight PA represents an experiment in finding a new economic model for journalism after the traditional newspaper business model has weakened. Instead of relying primarily on subscriptions and advertising, it treats investigative reporting as a public service supported by the community.