Thy Vo

What I Do
As an investigative editor, I lead a team of reporters based in Oregon, Washington and Idaho whose coverage includes topics like health, labor, youth and democracy. I work collaboratively with reporters to develop and shape their reporting and edit story drafts.

My Background
I started my journalism career watchdogging local government in Orange County, California, for a local nonprofit newsroom, Voice of OC. I also covered politics and community issues impacting the region’s vibrant immigrant communities. I went on to write for publications like The Mercury News in San Jose and ProPublica’s Electionland project, where I co-reported an investigation into a nonprofit’s problematic mail campaign to register voters. After moving to Colorado in 2020, I reported on public policy issues for The Colorado Sun, where my coverage of the 2021 redistricting cycle won regional awards. Most recently, I covered civil litigation and courts for the legal news website Law360. I grew up in Anaheim, California, and my parents came to the United States as refugees from Vietnam. I live in Colorado with my partner and dog, where you can find me camping, gardening, drawing and sewing. If I weren’t a journalist, I’d probably be selling noodle soup.

Ethics and Approach
Holding power to account requires journalists to interrogate the ways our practices might reinforce existing power structures, create distance from communities, and perpetuate harm. In addition to focusing on fairness, accuracy and accountability, I seek to not only minimize harm to individuals, but also work to build respect and trust with communities that the media hasn’t served well. I also believe journalists must be advocates for public access. That means not only uncovering information that helps people make decisions about their communities and hold officials accountable, but also aggressively defending the public’s right to know.

Contact Me
Email: thy@investigatewest.org
Phone: 720-739-0871
LinkedIn: Thy Vo