Pennon builds common ground, showcases local stories and inspires lifelong learning so all Central Pennsylvanians are informed on local issues, connected with their neighbors and equipped with the skills needed to analyze and collaboratively solve problems faced by the community.
For many years, WITF and LNP Media Group have served their communities separately. By bringing these two organizations together, alongside the creation of The Steinman Institute for Civic Engagement, Pennon is leveraging each organization’s strengths to innovate and produce integrated educational, arts, culture, news and information.
Pennon will work to better serve the Central Pennsylvania community by:
Investing in education
Education is the foundation of an engaged and connected community. Developing and applying critical thinking skills helps us identify challenges and propose new ways of addressing them, but first requires the means to carefully navigate the flood of information in today’s world. Pennon Education is providing the tools and programming to build curiosity and critical thinking, so that all community members from as young as preschool can learn, understand and be better engaged in the community.
Investing in local journalism
Since 2005, the U.S. has lost nearly 2,900 newspapers. The U.S. is on pace to lose one-third of all its newspapers by the end of next year. One-fifth of U.S. residents now live in news deserts. The majority of counties at risk of becoming news deserts are located in high-poverty areas, many of them rural, and many serve Black, Hispanic and Indigenous communities.
Investing in community
News deserts fuel division in local communities. Trusted, quality local news and information is an essential lever for connection. Building connection provides agency to communities to hold those in power accountable, get involved in the political process by learning about candidates running for public office, make informed decisions about local government activities and issues that impact their daily lives, and play a role in community good through activities like volunteering, fundraising, and supporting community service organizations.
Pennon is home to
WITF
South Central Pennsylvania’s leading public media organization and source for news, education, arts and culture.
Pennon is home to
LNP | LancasterOnline
The source of news and information for every resident of Lancaster County.
Pennon is home to
The Steinman Institute for Civic Engagement
A community-centered organization dedicated to building common ground through the revitalization of local news and information.
Pennon is home to
Pennon Education
Where we create, deliver and provide access to educational programming for Central Pennsylvanians that builds critical thinking and curiosity.
WITF and LNP | LancasterOnline will retain their existing branding, websites, offices, editorial independence and policies.
The ways our users experience these brands will not change.