One of many functions of this column house is to take you, actually, into my reporter’s pocket book, particularly for giant information tales. And one of many largest tales I’ve written throughout my time right here is that this controversy over the alleged retaliation by West Virginia Public Broadcasting towards considered one of its reporters.
To summarize in case you haven’t learn my story final week: WVPB part-time well being reporter Amelia Knisely alleges that WVPB parted methods along with her the week earlier than Christmas after the West Virginia Division of Well being and Human Assets allegedly positioned stress on WVPB to tug Knisely off of DHHR protection.
Why must you care concerning the employment choices of one other information company? In spite of everything, this isn’t the one controversy in West Virginia’s journalism world. Isn’t this slightly an excessive amount of inside baseball?
Maybe, however the important thing distinction has extra to do with a number of elements. West Virginia Public Broadcasting isn’t just one other information group; it receives taxpayer help. In line with WVPB’s 2021 annual report, 35% of its funding got here from the state’s basic income finances, whereas 21% of its funding got here from fundraising and 26% got here from foundations.
A few of you could take situation with taxpayer {dollars} going to WVPB, however I don’t. I do consider that public broadcasting is a public good. WVPB’s stations carry a bunch of academic programming, documentaries and cultural packages to the state. The most effective photographs for this state outsiders see comes from the published of “Mountain Stage” every week. And full disclaimer: I’ve been a donor to WVPB earlier than, and I’ve been a paid contributor to WVPB’s “The Legislature Right this moment,” the place I’ve offered evaluation of the annual legislative session.
Once I turned conscious of Knisely’s allegations of retaliation for her reporting, I felt it extremely essential for these allegations to be investigated and addressed. As a taxpayer and previous supporter of WVPB, I felt it essential to look into these points for the group’s integrity.
Allegations are simply that: allegations. However a take a look at the timeline of occasions since Knisely wrote a Nov. 3 story on a letter from state Senate President Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, to Gov. Jim Justice elevating considerations about allegations from Incapacity Rights West Virginia about alleged abuse and neglect at considered one of DHHR’s psychiatric hospitals left me with questions that thus far haven’t been answered immediately.
Mixed with a collection of emails I acquired from the Senate Clerk’s Workplace via a Freedom of Data Act request, I do consider that there are particular points that want additional clarification and addressing.
Former DHHR Cupboard Secretary Invoice Crouch wrote a six-page letter to WVPB Govt Director Butch Antolini searching for a retraction of Knisely’s Nov. 3 story. To their credit score, they stood by that story which was precisely reported primarily based on the Blair letter and different public info. They gave Crouch the chance to rebut Incapacity Proper’s allegations.
However in keeping with Knisely, after writing a narrative a couple of Dec. 6 legislative listening to the place Incapacity Rights briefed lawmakers on points at DHHR and the psychiatric hospitals and Crouch offered rebuttal, she was advised by her administration she might now not cowl DHHR.
Once more, it’s an allegation, however it’s an allegation she filed a human sources criticism about on Dec. 15. William File, chairman of the Academic Broadcasting Authority that oversees WVPB, admitted an HR criticism was filed and even disclosed a few of the contents of that HR criticism in a press release final Thursday.
File mentioned that Knisely was solely provided part-time employment as a well being reporter starting in September till WVPB might rent a full-time well being reporter. That reporter began on the finish of November. He claims that Knisely was advised on Dec. 14 to wrap up work on her ultimate story.
But, in keeping with an e-mail despatched the morning of Dec. 15, a WVPB govt producer submitted an inventory of WVPB workers to communications officers of the Home and Senate that would want press credentials for the 2023 legislative session, together with Knisely. When these communications officers inquired about Knisely’s part-time standing, WVPB Information Director Eric Douglas mentioned Knisely would “serve an important position in our legislative protection.”
I don’t know when Knisely filed her HR criticism on Dec. 15, however one thing modified between the morning and afternoon. By 4:09 p.m. that afternoon, WVPB Programming Director Eddie Isom despatched legislative communications workers an e-mail saying Knisely had no additional assignments and wouldn’t want credentials.
Douglas was not copied on that e-mail, which didn’t sit properly with Senate Communications Director Jacque Bland, who emailed Douglas to alert him, calling it “gross and shady.” In response, Douglas mentioned he had been known as into a gathering with Antolini the place he was advised “issues had modified with Amelia” and likewise saying “you’re proper, it does really feel gross and shady.”
In line with Knisely, she was advised by Douglas on Dec. 20 her providers have been now not wanted. File claims that Knisely continues to be on the payroll, although Knisely mentioned Thursday that her keycard and e-mail had been deactivated.
File’s emailed assertion despatched by Antolini final Thursday doesn’t jive with the timeline of occasions and the emails despatched by WVPB workers on Dec. 15. The assertion raises extra questions than it solutions. I’ve requested follow-up questions, however I had not acquired a response as of Friday.
A Twitter person who goes by “Pleb” mentioned the entire controversy might have been averted had WVPB mentioned “… this reporter labored for us part-time. We requested her on Dec 14. to complete the one project she had. We don’t have assignments for her now and we’ve employed a full-time substitute.”
As an alternative, WVPB has muddied the waters additional. And because of this, there are Republican lawmakers threatening to cut back or lower funding to WVPB and supporters are threatening to tug donations. It is going to be as much as members of the Academic Broadcasting Authority to analyze and restore public confidence.
Steven Allen Adams will be reached at [email protected]
