SPJ Announces the 2006 Sigma Delta Chi Award Winners

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For Immediate Release:
4/12/2007

Contact:
Heather Porter, Programs Coordinator, (317) 927-8000 ext. 204
Beth King, Communications Manager, (317) 927-8000 ext. 211

Indianapolis—The Society of Professional Journalists is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2006 Sigma Delta Chi Awards for excellence in journalism.

This year’s winners were chosen from more than 1,200 entries in 49 categories including print, radio, television and online.

The Sigma Delta Chi Awards date back to 1932, when the Society first honored six individuals for contributions to journalism. The current program began in 1939, when the organization awarded the first Distinguished Service Awards. These awards later became the Sigma Delta Chi Awards.

The awards, which recognize work published in 2006, will be presented July 20 during the annual Sigma Delta Chi Awards banquet at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

“These awards represent the best of American journalism,” said SPJ President Christine Tatum. “In an age when it is increasingly difficult to differentiate between fact and opinion and news and entertainment, the outstanding work of these journalists is a powerful reminder of the importance of ethical and responsible news gathering that is of true public service. This award winning work is what all journalists should strive to deliver every day.”

For more information about the awards presentation or this year’s recipients, contact Heather Porter at (317) 927-8000 ext. 204.

The Society of Professional Journalists works to improve and protect journalism. The organization is the nation’s most broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior.

Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press.

2006 Sigma Delta Chi Winners:

Newspaper/Wire Services

Deadline Reporting (circulation of 100,000 or greater)
“A World Apart, Shattered,” Staff, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, Pa.

Deadline Reporting (circulation of less than 100,000)
“Man charged in grisly killings,” David Hench, Gregory Kesich, Trevor Maxwell and Beth Quimby, Portland Press Herald, Portland, Maine

Non-Deadline Reporting (circulation of 100,000 or greater)
“Broken Ground: The Hole in the City’s Heart,” Deborah Sontag, The New York Times, New York

Non-Deadline Reporting (circulation of less than 100,000)
“Nuevo Laredo,” Sara A. Carter, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Ontario, Calif.

Investigative Reporting (circulation of 100,000 or greater)
“House of Lies,” Debbie Cenziper, The Miami Herald, Miami

Investigative Reporting (circulation of less than 100,000)
“District let years of misconduct slide,” Ryan Gabrielson, East Valley Tribune, Mesa, Ariz.

Feature Writing (circulation of 100,000 or greater)
“The Old White Oak of Matthews.” Elizabeth Leland, The Charlotte Observer, Charlotte, N.C.

Feature Writing (circulation of less than 100,000)
“Still Lisa,” Lois M. Collins and Elaine Jarvik, Deseret Morning News, Salt Lake City

Editorial Writing
“California’s Dysfunctional Foster-Care System,” John Diaz, Pati Poblete and Caille Millner, San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco

Washington Correspondence
“NSA Coverage,” Siobhan Gorman, The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore

Foreign Correspondence
“China’s Great Grab,” Evan Osnos, Chicago Tribune, Chicago

General Column Writing
“Column Collection,” Chris Rose, The Times-Picayune, New Orleans

Sports Column Writing
“Sports Columns,” Geoff Calkins, The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, Tenn.

Public Service Circulation (circulation of 100,000 or greater)
“Debtors’ Hell,” Boston Globe Spotlight Team, The Boston Globe, Boston

Public Service Circulation (circulation of less than 100,000)
“Enough: Dying on the streets of San Bernardino,” Staff, The Sun, San Bernardino, Calif.

Magazines

Magazine Writing
“The Summer of the Death of Hilario Guzman,” Mark Arax, Los Angeles Times Magazine, Los Angeles

Public Service in Magazine Journalism
“Guantanamo’s Grip,” Staff, National Journal, Washington, D.C.

Magazine Investigative Reporting
“The Secret World of Modern Slavery,” Michael Smith and David Voreacos, Bloomberg Markets, New York

Arts/Graphics

Photography Spot News
“Defiance: A Settler’s Stand,” Oded Balilty, The Associated Press, New York

Photography Features
“A Mother’s Journey,” Renee C. Byer, The Sacramento Bee, Sacramento, Calif.

Photography Sports
“Invincible Spirit,” Nic Bothma, EPA for Sports Illustrated, New York

Photo Illustration
No award presented

Editorial Cartooning
“2006 Cartoons,” Mike Lester, Rome News Tribune, Rome, Ga.

Informational Graphics
“Altered Oceans,” Staff, Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles

Radio

Breaking News Reporting
“Middle East War,” Staff, CBS Radio News, New York

Investigative Reporting
“7.0 Ready or Not,” Doug Sovern, KCBS Radio, San Francisco

Feature Reporting
“Rockford Truancy,” Jay Field and Julia McEvoy, Chicago Public Radio, Chicago

Documentaries
“Flatlined: How Illinois Shortchanges Rural Students,” Todd Melby, Diane Richard and Robbie Harris, Chicago Public Radio, Chicago

Public Service in Radio Journalism
“Unclaimed,” Staff , WBBM Newsradio 780, Chicago

Television

Breaking News Coverage (Network/Top 25 Markets)
“West Virginia Mine Disaster,” Staff, NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, New York

Breaking News Coverage (all other markets)
No award presented

Investigative Reporting (Network/Top 25 Markets)
“Taxicab Deception,” Investigative Team, KNBC-TV, Burbank

Investigative Reporting (all other markets)
“Sham Dunk,” Jeff Hirsh, Eric Gerhardt and Dan Hurley, WKRC-TV, Cincinnati

Feature Reporting (Network/Top 25 Markets)
“The Shipbreakers,” Bob Simon, Michael Gavshon, Paul Bellinger and Chris Everson, CBS News “60 Minutes,” New York

Feature Reporting (all other markets)
“Journey for Justice,” Hagit Limor, Anthony Mirones and Bob Morford, WCPO-TV, Cincinnati

Documentaries (Network/Top 25 Markets)
“In the Footsteps of Bin Laden,” Christiane Amanpour, Ken Shiffman and Cliff Hackel, CNN, Atlanta

Documentaries (all other markets)
“Alex Scott: A Stand for Hope,” Larry Mendte, Mike Henry, Jonelle Fabian and Andrea Korff, CBS 3, Philadelphia

Public Service in Television Journalism (Network/Top 25 Markets)
“Cause for Alarm,” WTHR-TV 13 Investigates, WTHR-TV, Indianapolis

Public Service in Television Journalism (all other markets)
“Tennessee State Veterans Home,” Staff, WTVF Newschannel 5, Nashville, Tenn.

Newsletters

Public Service in Newsletter Journalism
“The Sago Mine Disaster,” Staff, Mine Safety and Health News, Pittsford, N.Y.

Research

Research about Journalism
“The American Journalist in the 21st Century,” David H. Weaver, Randal A. Beam, Bonnie J. Brownlee, Paul S. Voakes and G. Cleveland Wilhoit, Indiana University School of Journalism, Bloomington, Ind.

Online Reporting

Deadline Reporting (affiliated)
“Initial reports say plane made downward spiral before crash,” Leah Betancourt, KCCI.com, Des Moines, Iowa.

Deadline Reporting (independent)
“CDC: Everyone to get HIV test,” Daniel DeNoon, Louise Chang, M.D. and Sean Swint, WebMD, Atlanta

Non-Deadline Reporting (affiliated)
“The Lifeline,” Staff , Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles

Non-Deadline Reporting (independent)
“Divine Intervention: U.S. AIDS Policy Abroad,” Staff , International Consortium of Investigative Journalists at The Center for Public Integrity, Washington, D.C.

Investigative Reporting (affiliated)
“Colleges Play, Public Pays,” Mark Alesia, The Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis

Investigative Reporting (independent)
“Affordable No More,” Andrew Donohue, VoiceofSanDiego.org, San Diego

Public Service in Online Journalism (affiliated)
“AIDS Orphans,” Staff, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Public Service in Online Journalism (independent)
“Profits vs. Patients: CR Investigates Nursing Homes,” Staff, Consumer Reports, Yonkers, N.Y.

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