Pam Johnston is President & CEO of Ocean State Media, Rhode Island’s home for PBS and NPR. She stepped into the role in August 2024 and led the unification of Rhode Island PBS and The Public’s Radio to create a single, statewide public media organization serving audiences across platforms and communities.
Pam leads Ocean State Media with a bold, community-centered, audience-first vision for local journalism and storytelling—grounded in trust, listening, and deep local connection.
Previously, Pam served as General Manager of Local News at GBH in Boston, where she transformed a legacy newsroom into a digital-first, multiplatform operation that more than doubled its digital reach and secured significant philanthropic investment. She also held senior leadership roles at PBS’s flagship investigative series, FRONTLINE, leading audience and strategy during a period of major growth and innovation.
Pam is recognized nationally for her leadership in shaping the future of local public media.
