Suncoast Searchlight hires veteran investigative journalist John Dunbar

Suncoast Searchlight is pleased to announce that veteran investigative journalist John Dunbar will join the newsroom as its newest watchdog/investigative reporter.

Dunbar brings more than 25 years of experience as an investigative reporter and editor, including 15 years at the nonprofit, award-winning Center for Public Integrity in Washington, D.C., where he ultimately served as CEO. During his tenure, the organization won numerous national honors, including a Pulitzer Prize for its work on the Panama Papers project.

Over the course of his career, Dunbar has written, edited and managed major projects on the influence of money in politics, on financial regulation and on government accountability. Most recently, Dunbar served as executive editor of the Daytona Beach News-Journal, where he led statewide investigative efforts and newsroom training initiatives.

Earlier in his career, he worked at Bloomberg Industry Group, The Associated Press in Washington, D.C., and, closer to home, The Florida Times-Union.

Emily Le Coz, executive editor-in-chief of Suncoast Searchlight, called Dunbar’s hire a major step forward for the organization.

“John is a rare combination of investigative reporter, editor, newsroom leader and nonprofit executive,” Le Coz said. “He has built teams, raised money for journalism, led award-winning projects and, at his core, remained deeply committed to accountability reporting. That experience strengthens not just our investigative capacity, but our entire newsroom. We’re incredibly fortunate to have him.”

In a statement, Dunbar reflected on the role of nonprofit journalism in a time of political division and shrinking local newsrooms: “I don’t know that there is a perfect journalism model out there, but I’m pretty certain Emily and the staff and the board at Suncoast Searchlight have got something special going on here, and I am incredibly honored to be a part of it.”

Dunbar is expected to begin in the coming weeks. In addition to producing in-depth watchdog reporting, he will help mentor reporters, strengthen data and public records work and expand the newsroom’s investigative reach across Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties.

This story was produced by Suncoast Searchlight, a nonprofit newsroom of the Community News Collaborative serving Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties. Learn more at suncoastsearchlight.org.