WITF, a public broadcasting station based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, has announced that it has received LNP Media Group from Steinman Communications Inc. in support of efforts to forge a new model for local news, community education, and civic engagement in the region.

With the gift, WITF and LNP will become a single enterprise working to expand and diversify local news platforms, educational programs, and forums for civic engagement through a collection of media platforms and community programs, including a public radio station with regional news and NPR news and programming, a public television station with locally produced and PBS programming for all ages, LancasterOnline, and educational programs for the classroom and community. In addition, with support from the Steinman Foundation, WITF will establish the Steinman Institute for Civic Engagement to advance journalism through the professional development of journalists, innovation, community engagement, and community-focused education initiatives.

To complete the philanthropic gift, Steinman Communications will convert LNP to a Pennsylvania Benefit Corporation and a subsidiary of WITF. The Steinman family has owned and operated what is currently LNP for nearly 158 years.

“With Steinman Communications’ gift, WITF and LNP mark a new era and an unprecedented leap forward in how they serve our community,” said WITF board chair Janice Snyder. “The transfer of LNP to WITF is not only a gift to our public media organization, but a gift to every central Pennsylvania resident—because a more vibrant institution for local news and community education makes for a more engaged citizenry and a healthier democracy.”

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