Roger Williams University Journalism Alumnus Honored for Reporting on Rhode Island Data Breach

BRISTOL, R.I. - When Roger Williams University alumnus and Rhode Island Current reporter Alexander Castro '14 uncovered a critical flaw in the state's public benefits system, his careful reporting not only protected sensitive information but also earned him the A-Mark Prize for Investigative Journalism, one of New England's highest honors for public interest reporting.

The award, given by the New England Newspaper & Press Association at its fall publishers conference in Northampton, Mass., recognizes excellence in investigative reporting and public service journalism. Castro received a $5,000 prize, with an additional $2,500 awarded to Rhode Island Current. His commitment to public accountability, shaped by the journalism training he received at Roger Williams University, guided his approach to the investigation.

Castro's investigation into the RIBridges data breach revealed that months before the 2024 cyberattack, which exposed the personal data of roughly 650,000 Rhode Islanders, a publicly available state procurement document contained a system architecture diagram detailing the platform's structure. His reporting prompted the state to remove the document before publication, preventing further exposure of sensitive information.

"In Rhode Island, there aren't many reporters who inspect where government and technology overlap," Castro said. "Add in the chain of events, including the state's removal of a RIBridges system schematic that shaped my reporting's investigative high point, and this award feels irreplicable. I couldn't duplicate it if I tried."

A member of RWU's first graduating class of Journalismmajors, Castro credits Journalism and Digital MediaProfessor Paola Prado and former Journalism Professor Michael Scully for nurturing the curiosity, ethics, and analytical depth that continue to guide his work.

"In its most valuable forms, journalism is a kind of public intellectual practice," he said. "That's something I began to understand during my time at Roger."