CHARLESTON — A part-time reporter at West Virginia Public Broadcasting says she was let go after publishing stories critical of the state’s Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) and amid pressure from agency officials and WVPB leadership.
Amelia Knisely, who covered public health issues, said she was informed during a December 20 meeting that her services were no longer required. The dismissal followed weeks of internal disputes over her reporting on alleged mistreatment of people with disabilities at a state-run hospital.
Knisely joined WVPB in September and had previously reported for the Charleston Gazette-Mail and Mountain State Spotlight as a Report for America corps member. Her reporting at WVPB focused in part on DHHR’s handling of child welfare and state-run facilities.
In a November 3 article, Knisely reported on a letter from Senate President Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, calling on Gov. Jim Justice to investigate allegations of patient abuse at William R. Sharpe Jr. Hospital in Weston. The letter cited concerns raised by Disability Rights West Virginia (DRWV), which accused DHHR of neglect and interference with a federally mandated oversight process.
On November 10, DHHR Secretary Bill Crouch sent a six-page letter to WVPB Executive Director Butch Antolini demanding a full retraction of Knisely’s article. The letter, which was copied to 24 individuals including Knisely but not WVPB News Director Eric Douglas, criticized the story’s accuracy. WVPB stood by the report, leaving it published and unchanged.
Knisely said she was told on December 6 she could no longer cover DHHR. That same day, she had reported on a legislative committee meeting where DRWV officials again raised concerns about DHHR’s oversight. Knisely said her news director attributed the decision to WVPB leadership, citing threats from DHHR officials to discredit the network if she continued her reporting.
A statement Tuesday from DHHR spokesperson Allison Adler did not address Knisely’s allegations directly. Knisely said she filed a complaint with WVPB’s human resources department on December 15 regarding the threats.
Internal emails obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request revealed further tensions. On December 15, WVPB newsroom officials had sought legislative press credentials for Knisely to cover the 2023 session. News Director Douglas defended her role and assured state communications officials there were no conflicts with her outside reporting work.
However, WVPB COO Eddie Isom later emailed legislative staff saying Knisely was not assigned to cover the session and did not need credentials. Executive Director Antolini was copied on the message, but Douglas and WVPB Executive Producer Suzanne Higgins were not.
Senate Communications Director Jacque Bland criticized the move in an email to Douglas, calling it “gross and shady” for leadership to override a newsroom decision without including the news director.
Douglas replied the next day that he had been informed by Antolini that Knisely’s position was being eliminated.
WVPB, a state-subsidized broadcaster governed by the Educational Broadcasting Authority, has faced scrutiny in recent years over internal management and editorial independence. Antolini, who previously served as communications director for Gov. Justice, was appointed executive director in 2021.
Antolini declined to comment.
Knisely’s reporting came as DHHR faces ongoing criticism over child welfare failures, high rates of overdose deaths, and staffing shortages. A $1 million review released in November recommended a structural overhaul of the agency.
Crouch is set to resign at the end of the year.
Gov. Justice has named Dr. Jeffrey Coben of West Virginia University as interim secretary. Other WVU officials will serve as advisers as the administration searches for a permanent replacement.
Since the leadership transition began, the state has lifted a hiring freeze and introduced hiring bonuses for key DHHR positions.
Knisely said she remains concerned about the message her removal sends to reporters and watchdogs across the state.
