Samantha Searles covers gun violence and prevention for WHYY, the major public media organization in the Greater Philadelphia area. Prior to joining WHYY, Searles was an on-air reporter for Suffolk University/New England Cable News and a contributor to Framingham Source, a news site covering Framingham, Massachusetts. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism with a broadcast concentration from Suffolk University. When she’s not reporting, she loves the performing arts, gardening and getting her dog out of trouble.
Beat: Gun violence in Philadelphia: causes and solutions
This investigative, multimedia reporter covers the gun violence epidemic in Philadelphia and the surrounding region, humanizing and contextualizing the crisis through profiles and solutions-oriented, data-driven reporting from a public health perspective. The journalist provides evidence-based solutions and information that empowers the people directly affected. Their voices and communities are centered in the coverage. Filing regular radio news spots, online reports and features, the journalist is also involved in TV specials and other special coverage. Photography experience is preferred, but not required.