The Backstory: How we report the stories that matter most

Welcome to The Backstory, a behind-the-scenes look at how Newsday does its journalism and why it matters. We believe strong local reporting strengthens our communities, and transparency is essential to earning your trust. Here, we offer a deep, inside look at how our stories are reported, who reports them, and the work that happens long before the headlines reach you.

This edition takes you inside one of our most difficult and important recent investigations: “Unprotected,” our deep look at sex trafficking on Long Island. The case of a missing 14-year-old Patchogue girl — found weeks later on a yacht — exposed how close to home this crime can be. More than a dozen men and women face charges including sex trafficking, kidnapping and rape. In all, 23 people have been charged in two states in connection with alleged crimes against the victim, now 15.

In this Backstory, hosted by NewsdayTV anchor Ken Buffa, reporter Shari Einhorn explains how she and fellow reporters Grant Parpan and Sandra Peddie approached a dangerous, sensitive subject with care, persistence and integrity — from door knocks to hard conversations — to reveal the truth.

Newsday’s “Unprotected” challenges beliefs about the victimization of commercial sex and exposes the insidious ways a child can be trafficked in our own communities. It also raises troubling questions about the apparent failures of systems meant to protect our children.

By showing you how the reporting happens, we hope to deepen your understanding of the story, the stakes and the responsibility we carry every day. This is journalism rooted in the community and committed to earning your trust.

Thank you for reading,

Rochell Bishop Sleets, editor and chief content officer

Bobby Cassidy, executive director of multimedia