LEE KEOUGH STEPS DOWN AS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF
NJ SPOTLIGHT

August 19, 2019 – NEWARK, NJ – WNET, America’s flagship PBS station, parent company of New York’s THIRTEEN and WLIW21 and operator of NJTV, the statewide public media network in New Jersey, announced the departure of founding editor Lee Keough from NJ Spotlight.

As a founding editor and editor-in-chief of NJ Spotlight, New Jersey’s award-winning online news website, Lee Keough was instrumental in creating the editorial foundation for the outlet’s independent, in-depth coverage of the Garden State. Most recently, she helped shepherd its team of reporters through the acquisition of NJ Spotlight by WNET and its resulting affiliation with NJTV News, the news division of New Jersey’s public television network. Keough was a longstanding partner to NJTV News even before the two organizations joined forces, regularly contributing to NJTV’s coverage of political debates, elections and other news projects.

While leaving to pursue new career opportunities, Keough will remain “Editor Emeritus” at NJ Spotlight.

"NJ Spotlight is poised for its next evolution, one that will bring a more robust news source to all of New Jersey," said Keough. "I am looking forward to supporting that effort. But after spending the last nine years building NJ Spotlight to where it is today, I'm ready for my next adventure."

“We truly appreciate Lee’s contributions to local journalism and to NJ Spotlight, and we wish her well in her next endeavors," said John Servidio, General Manager of NJTV and Vice-President of Subsidiary Stations at WNET.

“NJ Spotlight wouldn't be what it is today without Lee's leadership and talents,” said fellow founding editor and executive director John Mooney. “Lee led NJ Spotlight to be an unrivaled source for in-depth news and analysis in New Jersey, and its coverage will continue as part of her legacy."

Mooney and web director Máire Crowe are serving as co-editors of NJ Spotlight until the editor-in-chief position is filled.

 

About WNET

WNET is America’s flagship PBS station and parent company of THIRTEEN and WLIW21. WNET also operates NJTV, the statewide public television network in New Jersey. Through its broadcast channels, three cable services (THIRTEEN PBSKids, Create and World) and online streaming sites, WNET brings quality arts, education and public affairs programming to more than five million viewers each week. WNET produces and presents such acclaimed PBS series as Nature, Great Performances, American Masters, PBS NewsHour Weekend and a range of documentaries, children’s programs, and local news and cultural offerings. WNET’s groundbreaking series for children and young adults include Get the Math, Oh Noah! and Cyberchase as well as Mission US, the award-winning interactive history experience. WNET highlights the tri-state’s unique culture and diverse communities through NYC-ARTS, Theater Close-Up, NJTV News with Mary Alice Williams and MetroFocus, the daily multi-platform news magazine focusing on the New York region. In addition, WNET produces online-only programming including the award-winning series about gender identity, First Person. Through multi-platform initiatives such as Chasing the Dream: Poverty and Opportunity in America and Peril and Promise: The Challenge of Climate Change, WNET showcases the human stories around these issues and promising solutions. In 2015, THIRTEEN launched Passport, an online streaming service which allows members to see new and archival THIRTEEN and PBS programming anytime, anywhere: www.thirteen.org/passport.

About NJ Spotlight

NJ Spotlight is an award-winning editorial website that delivers news and analysis about politics and public policy in New Jersey. NJ Spotlight was founded to fill the vacuum created when the business model for conventional journalism collapsed. Its goal: Deliver impartial, in-depth coverage of the New Jersey State House, as well as the budget, education, energy, and environment — along with other statewide topics. Among its many awards and accolades, NJ Spotlight has been named the best independent online publication by the New Jersey Society for Professional Journalists. The Online News Association singled NJ Spotlight out for general excellence in online journalism. NJ Spotlight has also earned an Edward R. Murrow award from the Radio Television Digital News Association for an online news organization. And the League of Women Voters of New Jersey presented NJ Spotlight with the “Making Democracy Work” award for “outstanding work and dedication serving the community.” NJ Spotlight delivers insight and information on issues critical to New Jersey. NJ Spotlight is nonpartisan, independent, policy-centered, and community-minded.