SPJ News

SPJ/JEA announce 2023 High School Essay Contest winners

Tue, 23 May 2023 00:00:00 -0500

CONTACT:
Claire Regan, SPJ National President, cregan@spj.org
Zoë Berg, SPJ Communications Specialist, 317-920-4785, zberg@spj.org
Lindsay Porter, JEA Assistant Director, contact online, 785-532-5563

INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists and Journalism Education Association announce three scholarship winners in the 2023 SPJ/JEA High School Essay Contest.

More than 125 students participated in the nationwide contest, which was judged by 10 journalism educators from around the country.

Established in 1998, the contest is a project of JEA and SPJ. The topic for the 2023 contest — “While consumers are drawn toward tweets and sound bites, how can journalists tell more of the story without losing readers’ interest?”

The 2023 SPJ/JEA High School Essay Contest winners are:
— First Place, $1,000 Scholarship Winner: Jamie Kim, Eastern Christian High School, North Haledon, New Jersey
— Second Place, $500 Scholarship Winner: Elizabeth Ray, Montgomery (Alabama) Academy
— Third Place, $300 Scholarship Winner: Ashir Rao, Los Gatos (California) High School

SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to informing citizens; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and fights to protect First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. Support excellent journalism and fight for your right to know. Become a member, give to the Legal Defense Fund or give to the SPJ Foundation.

Founded in 1924, JEA supports free and responsible scholastic journalism by providing resources and educational opportunities, promoting professionalism, encouraging and rewarding student excellence and teacher achievement, and an atmosphere which encompasses diversity yet builds unity. It is headquartered at Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas.

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Region 9 Mark of Excellence Awards 2022 winners announced

Mon, 1 May 2023 00:00:00 -0500

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Region 11 Mark of Excellence Awards 2022 winners announced

Mon, 1 May 2023 00:00:00 -0500

CONTACT:
Lou Harry, SPJ Manager of Publications and Awards, lharry@spj.org
Kimberly Tsuyuki, SPJ Communications Coordinator, ktsuyuki@hq.spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists recognizes the best collegiate journalism in Region 11 with 2022 Mark of Excellence Awards winners.

SPJ’s Region 11 comprises Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada and Mariana Islands. First-place winners will compete at the national level among other MOE winners from the 12 SPJ regions.

National winners will be notified in the late spring and will be recognized at the SPJ’s 2023 convention in Las Vegas, Sept. 28-30.

MOE Awards entries are judged by professionals with at least three years of journalism experience. Judges were directed to choose entries they felt were among the best in student journalism. If no entry rose to the level of excellence, no award was given. Any category not listed has no winner.

School divisions are based on student enrollment, including both graduate and undergraduate: Large schools have at least 10,000 students and small schools have 9,999 or fewer students.

The list below details all Region 11 winners. If you have any questions regarding the MOE Awards, contact SPJ Manager of Publications and Awards Lou Harry by email.

This list reflects the spelling and titles submitted in the award entries.

Print/Online

Breaking News Reporting (Large)
Winner: Arizona officials decry, delight in Supreme Court ending abortion rights — by Neetish Basnet, Cronkite News, Arizona State University
Finalist: Judge rejects GOP request to extend voting hours after tabulation issues in Maricopa County — by Cronkite News staff, Cronkite News, Arizona State University
Finalist: See updates from Arizona voters and polling locations on Election Day — by Cronkite News staff, Cronkite News, Arizona State University

Breaking News Reporting (Small)
Winner: Residents decry placing another sexually violent predator in Borrego Springs — by Angelina Hicks, The San Diego Union-Tribune, Chapman University

General News Reporting (Large)
Winner: Three SDSU football players accused of raping an underaged girl in a civil lawsuit — by Christian Houser, The Daily Aztec, San Diego State University
Finalist: Herm Edwards buyout — by Piper Hansen, The State Press, Arizona State University
Finalist: Computer Science students claim innocence during cheating investigation — by Vincent Medina, Daily Forty-Niner, California State Long Beach

General News Reporting (Small)
Winner: 911 call fallout at Fuente Nueva School — by Ricardo Lara Nava, Kianna Znika, Frank Rocha, El Leñador, Cal Poly Humboldt
Finalist: Grand jury: OC residents lose millions each year in unclaimed recycling funds — by Angelina Hicks, Voice of OC, Chapman University
Finalist: Students file legal complaint alleging Santa Clara’s fossil fuel investments violate California law — by Carolyn Kuimelis, Robby O'Brien, The Santa Clara, Santa Clara University

In-Depth Reporting (Large)
Winner: ‘I'm tired’: Teachers face mental health crisis due to low pay, pandemic stress, scant support — by Cami Parrish, Cronkite News, Arizona State University
Finalist: ‘Wounded healers’: Advocates spotlight hidden struggles of young caregivers — by Adriana Gonzalez-Chavez, Cronkite News, Arizona State University
Finalist: Crow-Downtown gentrification — by Alexis Moulton, Jamie Montoya, The State Press, Arizona State University

In-Depth Reporting (Small)
Winner: No Home in This World — by Esteban Preciado, The Southwestern College Sun, Southwestern College
Finalist: ‘Physically Impossible to Be in a Wheelchair’ — Community Members with Disabilities Face Obstacles — by Ashley Mowreader, The Graphic, Pepperdine University
Finalist: LA's homelessness outreach workers are 'salespeople without a product' — by Accalia Rositani, The Lion, Loyola Marymount University

Feature Writing (Large)
Winner: A young life, interrupted: finding hope – and an identity – while suffering from long COVID — by Kate Selig, The Guardian, Stanford University
Finalist: Don’t Flunk Me Records: Where JC Students Sign, Produce and Promote Local Artists — by Bryan Fructuoso, The Oak Leaf magazine, Santa Rosa Junior College
Finalist: Life masks' created to keep stories of the Holocaust alive — by Samantha Chow, Cronkite News, Arizona State University

Feature Writing (Small)
Winner: Gorillas in Our Midst — by Esteban Preciado, The Southwestern College Sun, Southwestern College
Finalist: The Tip of the Sinking Iceberg: The Climate Crisis Impacts Mental Health Among Youth — by Liza Esquibias, The Graphic, Pepperdine University
Finalist: The unhoused women of Skid Row — by Erika Zaro, The Lion, Loyola Marymount University

Sports Writing (Large)
Winner: It's gotta be the shoes': Why are Scottsdale nightclubs prohibiting retro sneakers? — by Kevin Redfern, Cronkite News, Arizona State University
Finalist: Stanford Olympians who never got their moment — by Madeline Gabb, The Stanford Daily, Stanford University
Finalist: A long road back: Student-athletes injury recovery takes a mental toll — by Amanda Sturges, uscannenbergmedia.com, University of Southern California

Sports Writing (Small)
Winner: For minor leaguers, playing professional baseball is not living the dream — by Catherine Galanti, The Los Angeles Loyolan, Loyola Marymount University
Finalist: Trans participation in sports causes multi-level controversy — by Kyle McCabe, The Graphic, Pepperdine University

Editorial/Opinion Writing
Winner: Editorials — by Camila A. Gonzalez, The Southwestern College Sun, Southwestern College
Finalist: Columns — by Aaron Stigile, The State Press, Arizona State University
Finalist: Editorials — by Loyolan Executive Editorial Board, The Los Angeles Loyolan, Loyola Marymount University

General Column Writing
Winner: Columns — by Renee Walker, The Poly Post, Cal Poly Pomona
Finalist: Columns — by Cristobal Spielmann, The Los Angeles Loyolan, Loyola Marymount University
Finalist: Columns — by Arsh Goyal, The Los Angeles Loyolan, Loyola Marymount University

Sports Column Writing
Winner: Columns from the sports desk — by Caleb Nguyen, The Poly Post, Cal Poly Pomona

Corbin Gwaltney Award for Best All-Around Student Newspaper (Large)
Winner: The Corsair — by The Corsair staff, The Corsair, Santa Monica College
Finalist: The Valley Star — by The Valley Star staff, The Valley Star, Los Angeles Valley College

Corbin Gwaltney Award for Best All-Around Student Newspaper (Small)
Winner: The Panther Newspaper — by The Panther staff, The Panther, Chapman University
Finalist: The Graphic — by The Graphic staff, The Graphic, Pepperdine University
Finalist: The Southwestern College Sun — by The Southwestern College Sun staff, The Southwestern College Sun, Southwestern College

Best Student Magazine
Winner: The Oak Leaf Magazine — by Oak Leaf Staff, The Oak Leaf News, Santa Rosa Junior College
Finalist: Currents magazine — by Currents staff, Currents magazine, Pepperdine University
Finalist: SCene — by SCene magazine staff, SCene magazine, University of Southern California

Best Affiliated Website
Winner: The Corsair — by The Corsair staff, The Corsair, Santa Monica College
Finalist: sdcitytimes.com — by CTM Staff, City Times Media, City Times Media
Finalist: Daily Sundial website — by Daily Sundial staff, Daily Sundial, California State University, Northridge

Best Independent Online Student Publication
Winner: The Los Angeles Loyolan — by The Los Angeles Loyolan staff, The Los Angeles Loyolan, Loyola Marymount University
Finalist: The Panther Online — by The Panther staff, The Panther, Chapman University
Finalist: The State Press — by The State Press staff, The State Press, Arizona State University

Art/Graphics/Multimedia

Breaking News Photography
Winner: Antirascism protestor pushed by LAPD at Los Angeles City Hall — by Danilo Perez, The Corsair, Santa Monica College
Finalist: Arizona officials decry, delight in Supreme Court ending abortion rights — by Neetish Basnet, Cronkite News, Arizona State University

General News Photography
Winner: Renaissance festival returns — by Troy Hill, Cronkite News, Arizona State University
Finalist: Keeping campus safety in sight amid increase in national shootings — by Ethan Cohen, The Union, El Camino College
Finalist: Pepperdine gathers to worship at the annual Worship Summit — by Brandon Rubsamen, The Graphic, Pepperdine University

Feature Photography
Winner: Beach streets — by Sonny Tapia, Daily Forty-Niner, Cal State Long Beach
Finalist: Live, laugh, love languages — by Lucian Himes, Currents Magazine, Pepperdine University
Finalist: World Cup calls for shouts and hollers — by Ee Lin Tsen, The Corsair, Santa Monica College

Photo Essay/Slideshow
Winner: In focus: Migrants languish in Mexico's chaotic immigration system — by Taylor Bayly, Cronkite Borderlands Project, Arizona State University
Finalist: ‘Would he be forgotten?’ How a niece’s crusade and military scientists led to ID of Korean War vet — by Samantha Chow, Cronkite News, Arizona State University
Finalist: The haunting of Hannon — by Carissa Leong, The Los Angeles Loyolan, Loyola Marymount University

Illustration
Winner: Editorial cartoons — by Alicia Rivero, The Southwestern College Sun, Southwestern College
Finalist: Coming out’ — Optional or obligatory? — by Samantha Miller, The Graphic, Pepperdine University

Photo Illustration
Winner: OMG! What's your enneagram — by Lucian Himes, Marley Penagos, Hailey Hoidal, Currents Magazine, Pepperdine University
Finalist: Basketball issue Illustrations — by Tina Tona, The Los Angeles Loyolan, Loyola Marymount University
Finalist: Gender-inclusive housing — by Alex Gould, The State Press, Arizona State University

Sports Photography
Winner: ASU gymnastics home win — by Jason White, The State Press, Arizona State University
Finalist: Kappa Alpha Theta and Delta Sigma Phi win big in charity flag football tournament — by Summer Krueger, The Los Angeles Loyolan, Loyola Marymount University
Finalist: Men’s volleyball splits series with BYU — by Brandon Rubsamen, The Graphic, Pepperdine University

Best Use of Multimedia
Winner: Reflections of the L.A. uprising — by JOVRNALISM Staff, USC JOVRNALISM, University of Southern California
Finalist: Gaslit — by Staff of the Howard Center for Investigative Reporting Howard Center for Investigative Journalism, Arizona State University

News Videography
Winner: St. Louis police association expands, holds collective bargaining union to task — by Tirzah Christopher, Gabriela Tumani, News21, Arizona State University
Finalist: Healing through culture: Increasing access to Native American practices to treat mental health — by Laura Bargfeld, Cronkite News, Arizona State University
Finalist: Students protest on behalf of FM employees... — by Hayden Brown, The Los Angeles Loyolan, Loyola Marymount University

Feature Videography
Winner: "Lives in limbo: How the Mexican government has failed to solve the migrant crisis in Tapachula" — by Drake Presto, Cronkite borderlands project, Arizona State University
Finalist: OC sidewalk vendors struggle with costly, confusing county, city permits — by Gigi Gradillas, Rachel Lopez, Dustin Malek, The Hornet and Voice of OC, Fullerton College
Finalist: Dancing in honor of those who can't — by JOVRNALISM Staff, JOVRNALISM, University of Southern California

Sports Videography
Winner: Diamondbacks musical maestro — by Michael Donohue, Cronkite News, Arizona State University
Finalist: King of the ring — by Jacob Flores, Bally's Sports Arizona, Arizona State University
Finalist: Pepperdine Athletics balances facilities expectations — by Austin Hall, The Graphic, Pepperdine University

Data Visualization
Winner: Gaslit — by Howard Center for Investigative Journalism staff, Howard Center for Investigative Journalism, Arizona State University
Finalist: Tapachula: A city of migrants under a state of siege — by Alyssa Marksz, Cronkite Borderlands Project, Arizona State University
Finalist: Malibu roads pose fatal threat to vulnerable road users — by Kyle McCabe, The Graphic, Pepperdine University

Audio

Radio News Reporting
Winner: Black farmers — by Athena Ankrah, Cronkite News, Arizona State University

Radio Feature
Winner: Election translation — by Autriya Maneshni, Cronkite News, Arizona State University
Finalist: Healing through culture — by Natalie Skowlund, Cronkite News, Arizona State University

Podcast (Narrative)
Winner: All I Can Do Is Wait — by Athena Ankrah, Cronkite News, Arizona State University
Finalist: State Press Play — by Kirsten Dorman, The State Press, Arizona State University
Finalist: The Knowledge Industry — by Jakob McWhinney, Philip Salata, City Times Media, San Diego City College

Podcast (Conversational)
Winner: Two to Tango — by Rachel Livinal, DIG MAG, California State University, Long Beach
Finalist: Mental health in low-income neighborhoods — by Ashley Orellana, Daily Sundial, California State University, Northridge
Finalist: SportsWaves — by Karl Winter, Austin Hall, The Graphic, Pepperdine University

Broadcast

Television General News Reporting
Winner: Indigenous rodeo — by Mikenzie Hammel, Cronkite News, Arizona State University
Finalist: Eating disorders increase — by Faith Abercrombie, Cronkite News, Arizona State University
Finalist: Help for firefighters — by Sydney Witte, Cronkite News, Arizona State University

Television Feature Reporting
Winner: An East L.A. music program teaches young women the music of mariachi — by Marilyn Parra, Annenberg TV News, University of Southern California
Finalist: USC stunt actors 'fight on' — by Mya Mariey Vinnett, Annenberg TV News, University of Southern California
Finalist: Ride to the polls — by Caroleina Hassett, Cronkite News, Arizona State University

Television In-Depth Reporting
Winner: USC community in uproar after custodian arrested, fired over alleged stolen backpack — by Chrissa Loukas, Annenberg TV News, University of Southern California

Television Sports Reporting
Winner: A second chance at life — by Zachary Larsen, Bally's Sports Arizona, Arizona State University
Finalist: Persevering through pain — by Marlee Zanna Thompson, Bally's Sports Arizona, Arizona State University
Finalist: The first crack to the evolution of Las Vegas sports — by Jade Thomas, UNLV Rebel Report, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Best All-Around Television Newscast
Winner: Chapman News Live Newscast — by Chapman News staff, Chapman News, Chapman University
Finalist: UC workers strike for better pay — by Annenberg TV News staff, Annenberg TV News, University of Southern California
Finalist: Cronkite News — by Cronkite News staff, AZPBS, Arizona State University

Best All-Around Television News Magazine
Winner: Cronkite Sports Report — by Staff, Bally's Sports Arizona, Arizona State University

All Platform

Arts/Entertainment/Fashion Journalism
Winner: Artists hope Black History Month mural project 'educates, inspires, uplifts' — by Hope O'Brien, Cronkite News, Arizona State University
Finalist: Students get creative with alternative fashion trends — by Hope Lockwood, The Graphic, Pepperdine University
Finalist: Dress to express: Students dress for themselves — not the trends — by Lydia duPerier, Currents Magazine, Pepperdine University

Cultural Criticism
Winner: Music and motion pictures reviews — by Hien Nguyen, La Verne Campus Times Newspaper, University of La Verne
Finalist: I'm with the band columns — by Chloe Walsh, The Stanford Daily, Stanford University
Finalist: Columns — by Camila A. Gonzalez, The Southwestern College Sun, Southwestern College

Food/Restaurant Journalism
Winner: Meals under $10 for the hungry college student series — by Athena Cheris, The Los Angeles Loyolan, Loyola Marymount University
Finalist: Late night eats — by Calista Kirk, Adrienne Mitchel, Ryan Deeb, Collin Gaja, Chapman News, Chapman University
Finalist: Orange Food Trucks — by Adrienne Mitchel & Collin Gaja, Chapman News, Chapman University

SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to informing citizens; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and fights to protect First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. Support excellent journalism and fight for your right to know. Become a member, give to the Legal Defense Fund or give to the SPJ Foundation.

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Region 1 Mark of Excellence Awards 2022 winners announced

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0500

CONTACT:
Lou Harry, SPJ Manager of Publications and Awards, lharry@spj.org
Kimberly Tsuyuki, SPJ Communications Coordinator, ktsuyuki@hq.spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists recognizes the best collegiate journalism in Region 1 with 2022 Mark of Excellence Awards winners.

SPJ’s Region 1 comprises Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Central and Eastern Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont. First-place winners will compete at the national level among other MOE winners from the 12 SPJ regions.

National winners will be notified in the late spring and will be recognized at the SPJ’s 2023 convention in Las Vegas, Sept. 28-30.

MOE Awards entries are judged by professionals with at least three years of journalism experience. Judges were directed to choose entries they felt were among the best in student journalism. If no entry rose to the level of excellence, no award was given. Any category not listed has no winner.

School divisions are based on student enrollment, including both graduate and undergraduate: Large schools have at least 10,000 students and small schools have 9,999 or fewer students.

The list below details all Region 1 winners. If you have any questions regarding the MOE Awards, contact SPJ Manager of Publications and Awards Lou Harry by email.

This list reflects the spelling and titles submitted in the award entries.

Print/Online

Breaking News Reporting
Winner: East Side community members mourn victims of racially motivated mass shooting — by Grant Ashley, Moaz Elazzazi, Kyle Nguyen, Kayla Estrada, The Spectrum, University at Buffalo
Finalist: In U.S. News scandal, a confession, an apology, and previously unreleased data emerge — by Irie Sentner, Zachary Schermele, Andrew Park, Columbia Daily Spectator, Columbia University
Finalist: It's gay — by The Harvard Crimson Staff, The Harvard Crimson, Harvard University

General News Reporting (Large)
Winner: AOII’s president spoke out about facing racial discrimination from her sorority — by Isabella Ramírez, Columbia Daily Spectator, Columbia University
Finalist: The big scheme: How the Fox School of Business used rankings to intentionally deceive the public — by Jack Danz and Amelia Winger, The Temple News, Temple University
Finalist: SU students reflect on turbulent semester for housing — by Caroline Stevenson, The NewsHouse, Syracuse University

General News Reporting (Small)
Winner: Massachusetts approves bill to allow medication abortion access in public universities — by Sophia Harris, The Gatepost, Framingham State University
Finalist: Labor difficulties at Rider — by Shaun Chornobroff, Amethyst Martinez and Kaitlyn McCormick, The Rider News, Rider University
Finalist: Syria rolls out the red carpet for friendly foreigners, while local reporters face death and prison — by Rayan El Amine, Coda Story, Vassar College

In-Depth Reporting (Large)
Winner: Buffalo-based housing project fails to open on time, displaces UB students for nearly a semester — by Kyle Nguyen, The Spectrum, University at Buffalo
Finalist: Aloha ʻāina — by Kate Brennan, The NewsHouse, Syracuse University
Finalist: Entitled to Equality — by The Entitled to Equality Staff, The NewsHouse, Syracuse University

In-Depth Reporting (Small)
Winner: Title IX failures reveal systemic flaws in policy — by Lorien Tyne, The Ithacan, Ithaca College

Feature Writing (Large)
Winner: Thirty-Two Too — by Kylie Volavongsa, The New Journal, Yale University
Finalist: Clootie Wells — by Anjelica Singer, The Lion's Roar, The Pennsylvania State University
Finalist: The unprecedented UC president — by J. Sellers Hill and Amber H. Levis, The Harvard Crimson, Harvard University

Feature Writing (Small)
Winner: Boston buries its Black music — by Brandon Hill, The Hoopla (Self-Published Newsletter), Emerson College
Finalist: Nonprofit connects deaf students to resources, history, community — by Devin Yingling, The Hawk News, Saint Josephs University
Finalist: ‘The golden era of college radio’ — by Emily Rosenberg, The Gatepost, Framingham State University

Sports Writing (Large)
Winner: The Daily Free Press — by Brett Abrams, Daily Free Press, Boston University
Finalist: ‘More than just the player’ | Ex-Penn State football player Aaron Maybin’s art, passion helping Balt — by Zach Allen, The Daily Collegian, Penn State University
Finalist: “Something was wrong and needed to be addressed” — by Madelyn Geyer, The NewsHouse, Syracuse University

Sports Writing (Small)
Winner: MyNeshia McKenzie: from court to courtside — by Jake Tiger, The Rider News, Rider University
Finalist: The grandmaster — by Joe Arruda, Pride Sports Journal, Springfield College
Finalist: 'Transgender student finds a community with men’s rugby' — by Aidan Charde, The Ithacan, Ithaca College

Editorial/Opinion Writing
Winner: Editorials — by The Crimson Editorial Board, The Harvard Crimson, Harvard University
Finalist: Refocusing the city of Philadelphia — by Jemille Duncan, The Philadelphia Citizen, Swarthmore College
Finalist: Editorial Board column — by Loquitur Editorial Staff, The Loquitur, Cabrini University

General Column Writing
Winner: McKenzie Ward — by McKenzie Ward, The Gatepost, Framingham State University
Finalist: Harvard in numbers — by Aden Barton, The Harvard Crimson, Harvard University
Finalist: Harvard everywhere — by Hana M. Kiros, The Harvard Crimson, Harvard University

Corbin Gwaltney Award for Best All-Around Student Newspaper (Large)
Winner: The Harvard Crimson — by The Harvard Crimson Staff, The Harvard Crimson, Harvard University
Finalist: The Daily Free Press— by Staff, Daily Free Press, Boston University
Finalist: Columbia Daily Spectator — by Columbia Daily Spectator Staff, Columbia Daily Spectator, Columbia University

Corbin Gwaltney Award for Best All-Around Student Newspaper (Small)
Winner: The Ithacan — by The Ithacan Staff, The Ithacan, Ithaca College
Finalist: The Rider News — by The Rider News staff, The Rider News, Rider University
Finalist: The Gatepost Editorial — by The Gatepost, The Gatepost, Framingham State University

Best Student Magazine
Winner: The Good Life — by The Good Life Staff, The Good Life, Syracuse University
Finalist: Crescent magazine — by Crescent magazine Editors, Crescent magazine, Southern Connecticut State University
Finalist: The OutCrowd — by Staff, The OutCrowd, Syracuse University

Best Affiliated Web Site
Winner: The Harvard Crimson — by The Harvard Crimson Staff, The Harvard Crimson, Harvard University
Finalist: Columbia Daily Spectator — by Columbia Daily Spectator Staff, Columbia Daily Spectator, Columbia University

Best Independent Online Student Publication
Winner: The 5 O’Clock Project — by The 5 O'Clock Project Staff, The 5 O'Clock Project, Syracuse University
Finalist: HarlemView — by HarlemView staff, HarlemView, City College of New York
Finalist: The Herring — by The Herring, The Herring, Amsterdam University College

Art/Graphics/Multimedia

Breaking News Photography
Winner: Chinese student vigil — by Zhixiang Wang, The NewsHouse, Syracuse University
Finalist: Reaction — by Alysa Rubin, Comm Media, The Pennsylvania State University
Finalist: Too close to home — by Elizabeth Napolitano, NYCity News Service, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY

General News Photography
Winner: Ukraine rally: Protestors play their support for Ukraine — by Julian J. Giordano, The Harvard Crimson, Harvard University

Feature Photography
Winner: Call me baby — by Noah Riffe, Comm Media, The Pennsylvania State University
Finalist: Near getaway — by Alicia Chiang, Comm Media, The Pennsylvania State University
Finalist: "With them, it’s a family" — by Amanda Salazar and Maja Clasen, NYCity News Service, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY

Photo Essay/Slideshow
Winner: Grit & glory — by Gavin Liddell, The NewsHouse, Syracuse University
Finalist: Where the wild things are: The urban ecology of Harvard Square — by Ben Y. Cammarata, The Harvard Crimson, Harvard University
Finalist: The last savings at Bengal Delta — by Mohammad Rakibul Hasan, The Business Standard, Falmouth University, UK

Illustration
Winner: “The Silence of the Lambs:” a most unexpected Valentine’s Day film — by Katherine Kiessling, The NewsHouse, Syracuse University
Finalist: Is it time for a new mascot? MCCC students say yes! — by Liam Simonelli, The College VOICE, Mercer County Community College
Finalist: When home is school — by Sophia Lebowitz, Keith Paul Medelis and Mary Steffenhagen, NYCity News Service, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY

Photo Illustration
Winner: A mother, her daughter, and their university — by Lydia Herne, The NewsHouse, Syracuse University
Finalist: Sports photo illustrations and photo gallery promos — by Carolo Pascale, The Rider News, Rider University

Sports Photography
Winner: The firework — by Alexis Friedman, The Hofstra Chronicle, Hofstra University
Finalist: Slap back — by Kayla Breen, The NewsHouse, Syracuse University
Finalist: Scoring points on campus — by Luke Molwitz, Crescent magazine, Southern Connecticut State University

Editorial Cartooning
Winner: Giving students a voice — by Liam Simonelli, The College VOICE, Mercer County Community College
Finalist: The Vector cartoons — by Sreya Das, The Vector Newspaper, New Jersey Institute of Technology

Best Use of Multimedia
Winner: Aloha ʻāina — by Kate Brennan, The NewsHouse, Syracuse University
Finalist: Entitled to Equality — by The Entitled to Equality Staff, The NewsHouse, Syracuse University
Finalist: Where Harvard’s legacy of slavery lives today — by Harvard Crimson News Staff, The Harvard Crimson, Harvard University

News Videography
Winner: Tough time for Brooklyn Street vendors — by Maricela Niola, HarlemView, The City College of New York
Finalist: Don’t shoot: aiming to end gun violence — by Charlene Wiatta Freeman, 219West TV News Magazine, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY
Finalist: Mass. fish hatchery supports anglers and wildlife — by Sophia Giordano, WEBN, Emerson College

Feature Videography
Winner: LGBTQ elders — by Gary Hilborn, Harlem View, The City College of New York
Finalist: Ad Chief graduates more than 30 years later — by Craig Hunter, HarlemView, City College of New York
Finalist: Luna Park looks beyond the pandemic — by Pumla Kalipa, 219West TV News Magazine, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY

Sports Videography
Winner: Never stand still — by Manuel Serrano and Averi Coppa, The NewsHouse, Syracuse University
Finalist: Game changer — by Sarah Russo, The NewsHouse, Syracuse University
Finalist: SATURDAY SCENES: #18 Syracuse sends NC State packing — by Andrew Selover, Chilekasi Adele, CitrusTV, Syracuse University

Data Visualization
Winner: With improved homecoming performances, Columbia football looks to continue success — by Rebecca Wachen, Andrew Park, Columbia Daily Spectator, Columbia University
Finalist: Vaccine disparities continue in West Harlem in wake of new COVID-19 booster — by Adina Cazacu-De Luca, Columbia Daily Spectator, Columbia University

Audio

Radio News Reporting
Winner: The rush to shelter asylum seekers — by Yvonne Marquez, AudioFiles, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY
Finalist: Union members protest outside the Brooklyn Museum — by Tasha Sandoval, AudioFiles, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY
Finalist: Electric vehicles for Earth Day — by Jay Bradley, WICB-FM, Ithaca College

Radio Feature
Winner: Growing for New York’s retail cannabis market — by Trina Mannino, AudioFiles, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY
Finalist: "The Band's Visit:" Interview with Ali Bourzgui — by Caroline Grass, WICB-FM, Ithaca College
Finalist: Lauren Haffner on CommRadio — by Lauren Haffner, CommRadio, The Pennsylvania State University

Radio In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Queer spaces in Ithaca — by Newt Andia and Chloe Johnston, WICB-FM, Ithaca College
Finalist: Syracuse University community reacts to Antisemitic references in Remembrance Archives — by John Perik, NCC News, Syracuse University
Finalist: The fight to prevent construction worker deaths — by Laura Bratton, 219West TV News Magazine, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY

Radio Sports Reporting
Winner: Quidditch levels the playing field for all genders — by Sophia Moore, WAER 88.3, Syracuse University
Finalist: Cuthbert spring sports preview — by Thomas Cuthbert, WRKC, King's College
Finalist: World Cup Fever hits NYC — by Trina Mannino, AudioFiles, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY

Podcast (Narrative)
Winner: Home ed — by Mary Steffenhagen, NYCity News Service, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY
Finalist: Behind the farms: Farmworker seek rights — by Damali Ramirez, Long Island Advocate, Hofstra University
Finalist: The facts behind felines: An up-close look at the ‘Hofcats’ — by Hunter Spears, Long Island Advocate, Hofstra University

Podcast (Conversational)
Winner: How are you, actually? — by Katelyn Smith and Lou Baron, WICB-FM, Ithaca College
Finalist: 4 Black editors — by Simi Olurin, The Yale Daily News, Yale University
Finalist: Is human composing the next big thing? — by AudioFiles Staff, AudioFiles, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY

Broadcast

Television Breaking News Reporting
Winner: Penn State cancels controversial event over security concerns — by Isabella Leahy, Matthew Noah, Penn State's CommMedia, WPSU, YouTube, Penn State University
Finalist: Fire destroys two homes on Ackerman Avenue — by Nicole Aponte, CitrusTV, Syracuse University

Television General News Reporting
Winner: Micron computer chip plant forces clay neighbors out — by Nicole Aponte, CitrusTV, Syracuse University
Finalist: The World Cafe Live reopens after months of COVID-19 health restrictions — by Sarah Weitzman, Chris Malo, Staff, TUTV- The Temp, Temple University

Television Feature Reporting
Winner: Paying forward the American Dream — by Louise Rath, NCC News, Syracuse University
Finalist: Piled up: ‘Trash Walker’ aims to zap waste — by Sophia Lebowitz, 219West TV News Magazine, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY
Finalist: Caylix’s Story: A reason for rhythm — by Preston Shoemaker, Penn State's CommMedia, WPSU, YouTube, Penn State University

Television In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Ithaca Starbucks Employees Campaign to Unionize — by Emily Hung, Ithaca College Television (ICTV), Ithaca College
Finalist: Home and Held Hostage: Digging into four years of public records reveals troubled nursing home — by Imani Clement, Iyee Jagne, Emma Folts, NCC News, Syracuse University
Finalist: Home And Held Hostage: Green National’s legion of lawsuits spur on little progress — by Alaina Losito, Morgan Scott, Andriana Loh, NCC News, Syracuse University

Television Sports Reporting
Winner: Sports Final - IC Mental Health Performance — by Josh Hobbs, Ithaca College Television (ICTV), Ithaca College
Finalist: From Granite to Greatness — by Eric Fenstermaker, Penn State's CommMedia, WPSU, YouTube, Penn State University

Best All-Around Television Newscast
Winner: Newswatch — by Grant Johnson, David Teska, Paige Morrissey and Jordan Broking, Ithaca College Television, Ithaca College
Finalist: Temple Update — by Rochelle Davis, Porter Deacon, Olivia Benner, Gabe Lourido, TUTV (Temple University Television), Temple University
Finalist: Centre County Report — by Centre County Report, Penn State's CommMedia, WPSU, YouTube Live Stream, Penn State University

Best All-Around Television News Magazine
Winner: Centre County Report in Scotland — by Centre County Report In Scotland Staff, Penn State's CommMedia, WPSU, YouTube Live Stream, Penn State University
Finalist: Season of Renewal — by 219West TV News Magazine Staff, 219West TV News Magazine, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY
Finalist: A Time of Reform — by Brooke Vogel, Inbaayini Anbarasan, Griffin Homan and Jordan Broking, Ithaca College Television (ICTV), Ithaca College

All Platform

Arts/Entertainment/Fashion Journalism
Winner: Lynn Hall — by Alicia Chang, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, The Pennsylvania State University
Finalist: Choreographer and Filmmaker Yvonne Rainer Reflects On Her 60-year Career — by Trina Mannino, AudioFiles, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY
Finalist: A new frightening record in jump scare’s 80-year history — by Piper Starnes, The NewsHouse, Syracuse University

Cultural Criticism
Winner: Theater commentary — by Vivienne N. Germain, The Harvard Crimson, Harvard University
Finalist: The Boston Globe Cultural Criticism — by Joy Ashford, The Boston Globe, Harvard College
Finalist: Columbia Daily Spectator Film Criticism — by Allanah Elster, Columbia Daily Spectator, Columbia University

Food/Restaurant Journalism
Winner: The saga of Celsius: What the energy drink reveals about tensions between Barnard Dining and student — by Isabella Farfan, Columbia Daily Spectator, Columbia University
Finalist: Eating up the growing South Bronx restaurant scene — by ET Rodriguez, Mott Haven Herald, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY
Finalist: Recovered from Superstorm Sandy, Freeport’s Nautical Mile is evolving — by Taylor Nicioli, The Long Island Advocate, Hofstra University

SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to informing citizens; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and fights to protect First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. Support excellent journalism and fight for your right to know. Become a member, give to the Legal Defense Fund or give to the SPJ Foundation.

-END-

Region 12 Mark of Excellence Awards 2022 winners announced

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0500

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Region 4 Mark of Excellence Awards 2022 winners announced

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0500

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Region 5 Mark of Excellence Awards 2022 winners announced

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0500

CONTACT:
Lou Harry, SPJ Manager of Publications and Awards, lharry@spj.org
Kimberly Tsuyuki, SPJ Communications Coordinator, ktsuyuki@hq.spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists recognizes the best collegiate journalism in Region 5 with 2022 Mark of Excellence Awards winners.

SPJ’s Region 5 comprises Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky. First-place winners will compete at the national level among other MOE winners from the 12 SPJ regions.

National winners will be notified in the late spring and will be recognized at the SPJ’s 2023 convention in Las Vegas, Sept. 28-30.

MOE Awards entries are judged by professionals with at least three years of journalism experience. Judges were directed to choose entries they felt were among the best in student journalism. If no entry rose to the level of excellence, no award was given. Any category not listed has no winner.

School divisions are based on student enrollment, including both graduate and undergraduate: Large schools have at least 10,000 students and small schools have 9,999 or fewer students.

The list below details all Region 5 winners. If you have any questions regarding the MOE Awards, contact SPJ Manager of Publications and Awards Lou Harry by email.

This list reflects the spelling and titles submitted in the award entries.

Print/Online

Breaking News Reporting (Large)
Winner: Videos show UK student using racial slurs, attacking desk clerk — by Rayleigh Deaton, Kendall Staton, Alexis Baker, Kentucky Kernel, University of Kentucky
Finalist: Man identified, charged after hours long underground barricade — by Indiana Daily Student Staff, Indiana Daily Student, Indiana University
Finalist: EKU student arrested, charged with rape, other charges — by Rosie Kelley, easternprogress.com, Eastern Kentucky University

Breaking News Reporting (Small)
Winner: Transgender sports bill receives further testimony at Senate Education Committee — by Taylor Wooten, TheStatehouseFile.com, Franklin College
Finalist: BUPD arrests suspect in connection to AV bicycle thefts — by Gabi Morando, Annie Faulkner, The Butler Collegian, Butler University
Finalist: Anticipating state abortion ban, protesters descend on Statehouse — by Zachary Roberts, TheStatehouseFile.com, Franklin College

General News Reporting (Large)
Winner: Hiring shortages, 70-hour weeks: How the Trojan Horse is surviving the Great Resignation — by Carson TerBush, Indiana Daily Student, Indiana University
Finalist: Controversial west side cop academy will have mock neighborhood for training — by Jennifer Bamberg, Block Club Chicago, Northwestern University
Finalist: EKU football player taken into federal custody — by Jess Wilson, Taylor Hogsed, Jaidyn Lee, easternprogress.com, Eastern Kentucky University

General News Reporting (Small)
Winner: Thomas Minar series — by Alexa Shrake, Isaac Gleitz, Sydney Byerly, TheStatehouseFile.com, Franklin College
Finalist: Twitter beef raises specter of Lucas' 2020 divorce hearing — by Jack Sells, TheStatehouseFile.com, Franklin College

In-Depth Reporting (Large)
Winner: Albany Care’s residents report violence and medical mistreatment. But many have nowhere else to go. — by Aviva Bechky, Avani Kalra, The Daily Northwestern, Northwestern University
Finalist: Big bucks, big buyouts: Big Ten schools spend millions clearing coaching rosters — by Nic Napier, Nadia Scharf, The Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism, Indiana University
Finalist: Dissonance in due process — by Cate Charron, Indiana Daily Student, Indiana University

In-Depth Reporting (Small)
Winner: Why are we f*cking less? — by Mae-Mae Han, The Butler Collegian, Butler University
Finalist: Hoosiers see lasting effects from time KKK dominated state politics — by Taylor Wooten, TheStatehouseFile.com, Franklin College
Finalist: The social symptom: Educators worry about pandemic impact that has not healed — by Zachary Roberts, TheStatehouseFile.com, Franklin College

Feature Writing
Winner: She dreams of Afghanistan — by Lauren Ulrich, Indiana Daily Student, Indiana University
Finalist: Living with loss — by Teresa Nowakowski, North by Northwestern, Northwestern University
Finalist: Afghan refugees, grappling with grief and trauma, face barriers to mental health care — by Jenny Jiin Huh, Grace Deng, Stat News/Medill News Service, Northwestern University

Sports Writing (Large)
Winner: ‘The program is doomed’: Players say Indiana volleyball coach Steve Aird created a culture of fear — by Evan Gerike, Indiana Daily Student, Indiana University
Finalist: How Title IX helped Northwestern’s first female varsity athletes reach new heights — by Sarah Effress, Inside NU, Northwestern University

Sports Writing (Small)
Winner: There’s always a first: Hank Foster’s legacy at Butler — by Kobe Mosley, The Butler Collegian, Butler University
Finalist: UIndy Football’s Toriano Clinton breaks records — by MaKenna Maschino, The Reflector, University of Indianapolis

Editorial/Opinion Writing
Winner: Editorials — by Brooklyn Walters, Kendall Staton, Kentucky Kernel, University of Kentucky
Finalist: $4 million mistake / Human rights are not up for discussion / Eat less chicken — by Aidan Gregg, The Butler Collegian, Butler University
Finalist: Columns — by Reece Butler, The Butler Collegian, Butler University

General Column Writing
Winner: Columns — by Karrington Garland, Kentucky Kernel, University of Kentucky

Sports Column Writing
Winner: Columns — by John Riker, The Daily Northwestern, Northwestern University

Corbin Gwaltney Award for Best All-Around Student Newspaper (Large)
Winner: Indiana Daily Student — by Staff, Indiana Daily Student, Indiana University
Finalist: Kentucky Kernel — by Staff, Kentucky Kernel, University of Kentucky
Finalist: The Ball State Daily News — by Staff, The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University

Corbin Gwaltney Award for Best All-Around Student Newspaper (Small)
Winner: The Reflector — by Staff, The Reflector, University of Indianapolis
Finalist: The Butler Collegian — by Staff, The Butler Collegian, Butler University

Best Student Magazine
Winner: KRNL Lifestyle + Fashion — by Staff, KRNL Lifestyle + Fashion, University of Kentucky
Finalist: WKU Talisman — by Staff, WKU Talisman, Western Kentucky University
Best Affiliated Web Site
Winner: DailyNorthwestern.com — by Staff, The Daily Northwestern, Northwestern University
Finalist: Kykernal.com — by Staff, Kentucky Kernel, University of Kentucky

Art/Graphics/Multimedia

Breaking News Photography
Winner: Shooting at off-campus house party injures 11 UK students — by Jack Weaver, Kentucky Kernel, University of Kentucky

General News Photography
Winner: ‘Let this be a movement.’ Peaceful protest conducted for victim of racial violence on campus — by Jack Weaver, Kentucky Kernel, University of Kentucky

Photo Essay/Slideshow
Winner: Rich Strike wins 148th running of the Kentucky Derby — by Jack Weaver, Kentucky Kernel, University of Kentucky
Finalist: Hindu YUVA celebrates Diwali with ‘Ramleela’ musical — by Angeli Mittal, The Daily Northwestern, Northwestern University

Photo Illustration
Winner: Brain drain — by Maggie Getzin, The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University
Finalist: The senses — by Alex Bracken, Ball Bearings Magazine, Ball State University

Sports Photography
Winner: Kentucky mens basketball suffers 86-77 loss to Michigan State in Champions Classic — by Jack Weaver, Kentucky Kernel, University of Kentucky
Finalist: Jillian Brown passes to the foreground — by Seeger Gray, The Daily Northwestern, Northwestern University

Best Use of Multimedia
Winner: Why they walked out: CPS students take to the streets to protest COVID-19 safety in schools — by Staff, 14 East, DePaul University
Finalist: NBN Housing Guide 2022 — by Olivia Lloyd, Nathanial Ortiz, North by Northwestern, Northwestern University
Finalist: Look and Listen: Bienen students' parking lot practices — by Seeger Gray, The Daily Northwestern, Northwestern University

News Videography
Winner: Adjusting to life in the U.S., eight months after fleeing the Taliban — by Jenny Jiin Huh, Medill News Service, Northwestern University
Finalist: Video: WKU launches farm-to-campus initiative — by Celine Sterett, College Heights Herald, Western Kentucky University
Finalist: Vigil for Uvalde victims at the Texas Capitol in Austin — by Olivia Yarvis, Texas Tribune, Texas Tribune, Northwestern University

Feature Videography
Winner: One family flees Texas in search of safer climate for their transgender daughter — by Olivia Yarvis, Texas Tribune, Texas Tribune, Northwestern University

Data Visualization
Winner: Live midterm coverage — by Angeli Mittal, Zoey Soh, The Daily Northwestern, Northwestern University

Audio

Radio News Reporting
Winner: Northwestern rocket goes to space — by Sara Kadoura, WNUR News, Northwestern University
Finalist: Heartbreak for families as Virginia Key center fights sudden shutdown — by Ali Bianco, WLRN News, Northwestern University

Radio Feature
Winner: Kappa Alpha Psi at NU celebrates its 105th anniversary — by Nick Song, WNUR News, Northwestern University
Finalist: The 7 words we can't say on the radio (Clean) — by Sara Kadoura, WNUR News, Northwestern University
Finalist: For better and for worse: 'AND is in our DNA' — by Ariella Bernick, WNUR News, Northwestern University

Podcast (Narrative)
Winner: Your Words: Assyrian Martyrs Day in stories, artifacts and community — by Yasmeen Altaji, The Word, Northwestern University
Finalist: Change Agents: The road to reclaiming history — by Victoria Benefield, Emily Soto, Change Agents, Northwestern University
Finalist: NU Declassified: How Northwestern’s mock trial team raises the bar — by Mika Ellison, The Daily Northwestern, Northwestern University

Podcast (Conversational)
Winner: NU Declassified: The student becomes the professor — by Sammi Boas, The Daily Northwestern, Northwestern University
Finalist: Rauw Alejandro’s SATURNO brings Latin music into outer space — by Maria Caamaño Garcia, WNUR News, Northwestern University

Broadcast

Television Breaking News Reporting
Winner: Northwestern University graduate workers launch union campaign — by Jenny Huh, Gabrielle Khoriaty, Northwestern News Network, Northwestern University
Finalist: Thousands gather to commemorate Ukrainian lives lost, protest Russian aggression — by Diego Ramos Bechara, Medill News Service, Northwestern University
Finalist: Evanston recognizes African American history — by Julia Richardson, Northwestern News Network, Northwestern University

Television General News Reporting
Winner: Evanston Fire Department requests funds for third ambulance — by Andrew Rowan, Northwestern News Network, Northwestern University
Finalist: Localizing the 2022 midterms: LGBTQ+ rights in Illinois and Evanston — by Jenny Jiin Huh, Northwestern News Network, Northwestern University
Finalist: Una Fiesta Hispana — by Mikayla Denault, Northwestern News Network, Northwestern University

Television Feature Reporting
Winner: Waa-Mu Show back on stage for 91st show — by — Diego Ramos Bechara, Northwestern News Network, Northwestern University
Finalist: Why are there so many boba and ramen shops in Evanston? — by Jenny Jiin Huh, Northwestern News Network, Northwestern University
Finalist: Behind the operation that keeps Evanston clean — by Logan Schiciano, Northwestern News Network, Northwestern University

Television In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Racial disparities in foster care — by Sabrina Carson, Melina Chalkia, Isabela Lisco, WTTW, Northwestern University
Finalist: Reflecting on Voting Rights Act — by Carley Stone, wkujournalism.com, Western Kentucky University

Television Sports Reporting
Winner: Jayson Williams — by Shadenn Gomez, Good Day DePaul, DePaul University
Finalist: NNN hits the ice — by Maria Heim, Northwestern News Network, Northwestern University
Finalist: Basketball dads balance ball and family — by Logan Schiciano, Maccabi Media, Northwestern University

Best All-Around Television Newscast
Winner: Northwestern News — by Staff, Northwestern News Network, Northwestern University
Finalist: Good Day DePaul Newscast — by Staff, Good Day DePaul, DePaul University

Best All-Around Television News Magazine
Winner: NNN Around The World — by Staff, Northwestern News Network, Northwestern University

All Platform

Arts/Entertainment/Fashion Journalism
Winner: Robert Beatty and the pursuit of weird — by Gray Greenwell, Kentucky Kernel, University of Kentucky

Cultural Criticism
Winner: Arts column including Defining Dahmer & the serial killer phenomenon — by Kelly Rappaport, North By Northwestern Magazine, Northwestern University

SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to informing citizens; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and fights to protect First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. Support excellent journalism and fight for your right to know. Become a member, give to the Legal Defense Fund or give to the SPJ Foundation.

-END-

Region 10 Mark of Excellence Awards 2022 winners announced

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0500

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Region 3 Mark of Excellence Awards 2022 winners announced

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0500

CONTACT:
Lou Harry, SPJ Manager of Publications and Awards, lharry@spj.org
Kimberly Tsuyuki, SPJ Communications Coordinator, ktsuyuki@hq.spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists recognizes the best collegiate journalism in Region 3 with 2022 Mark of Excellence Awards winners.

SPJ’s Region 3 comprises Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands. First-place winners will compete at the national level among other MOE winners from the 12 SPJ regions.

National winners will be notified in the late spring and will be recognized at the SPJ’s 2023 convention in Las Vegas, Sept. 28-30.

MOE Awards entries are judged by professionals with at least three years of journalism experience. Judges were directed to choose entries they felt were among the best in student journalism. If no entry rose to the level of excellence, no award was given. Any category not listed has no winner.

School divisions are based on student enrollment, including both graduate and undergraduate: Large schools have at least 10,000 students and small schools have 9,999 or fewer students.

The list below details all Region 3 winners. If you have any questions regarding the MOE Awards, contact SPJ Manager of Publications and Awards Lou Harry by email.

This list reflects the spelling and titles submitted in the award entries.

Print/Online

Breaking News Reporting (Large)
Winner: UF presidential finalist Ben Sasse addresses community in campus visit, protestors storm forum — by Makiya Seminera, The Independent Florida Alligator, University of Florida
Finalist: Live: Florida 2022 midterm elections and more — by South Florida Media Network, South Florida Media Network, Florida International University
Finalist: Lucy-Graves Hall: UA building named for Autherine Lucy Foster on anniversary of enrollment — by Grace Schepis, The Crimson White, University of Alabama

General News Reporting (Large)
Winner: SGA presidential candidate Shield’s team reports opponent Martin for overspending on election — by Isabel Hope, Kayla Solino, The Crimson White, University of Alabama
Finalist: Oxford community reflects on relics of Confederacy — by Eva Roytburg and Katie Bartlett, The Emory Wheel, Emory University
Finalist: Shipwrecks, explosives, prehistoric pottery. The Congaree soon might reveal even more secrets — by Caleb Bozard, The Carolina News & Reporter, University of South Carolina College of Journalism

General News Reporting (Small)
Winner: Envisioning a more resilient Eckerd — by Carter Weinhofer, The Current, Eckerd College
Finalist: AU sociology class visualizes number of homicide cases in sidewalk chalk display — by Rakiyah Lenon, The Bell Ringer, Augusta University
Finalist: Cobb county ballot error reveals problem in election system — by Eric Zuniga, Campus Carrier, Berry College

In-Depth Reporting (Large)
Winner: 50 years later, former students reflect on gender quota — by Matthew Chupack, Brammhi Balarajan, Madi Olivier, Ninad Kulkarni, Emory Wheel, Emory University
Finalist: Campus tragedy: New details in UF student’s hit-and-run death as driver to be sentenced... — by Troy Myers, Fresh Take Florida/WUFT, University of Florida
Finalist: What happened to Columbia’s gay clubs? — by Caleb Bozard, The Carolina News & Reporter, University of South Carolina College of Journalism

In-Depth Reporting (Small)
Winner: PBC small businesses: Post-COVID-19 era — by Brenna Brown, The Beacon Today, Palm Beach Atlantic University
Finalist: Palm Beach County combats human trafficking rates — by McKay Campbell, The Beacon Today, Palm Beach Atlantic University
Finalist: Former inmates and entrepreneurship — by McKay Campbell, The Beacon Today, Palm Beach Atlantic University

Feature Writing (Large)
Winner: For the love of dog — by Mindy Nissenberg, Atrium Magazine, University of Florida
Finalist: A unique vision: Adams Optics keeps prices steady for almost 50 years — by Lilly Kersh, The Red & Black, University of Georgia
Finalist: Painting through pain: How Columbia man overcame homelessness through art — by Noah Watson, The Carolina News & Reporter, University of South Carolina College of Journalism

Feature Writing (Small)
Winner: New mother to COVID-19: ‘You’ve made me into a shield.’ — by Brenna Brown, The Beacon Today, Palm Beach Atlantic University
Finalist: A hunt for life — by Zachary Franco, The Current, Eckerd College
Finalist: Breaking barriers in sports media — by Hannah Duffey, Flagler College Gargoyle, Flagler College

Sports Writing (Large)
Winner: Anatomy of a rebuild: Allen football working to raise program from ground up — by Michael Sauls, The Carolina News & Reporter, University of South Carolina College of Journalism
Finalist: Harry Sims: UGA’s first Black varsity athlete — by Ty Young, The Red & Black, University of Georgia
Finalist: Gators football found opponent it couldn’t block: Parking enforcers — by Alexander Lugo, Fresh Take Florida/WUFT, University of Florida

Sports Writing (Small)
Winner: Is the workload too much for student-athletes? — by Gabby Alfveby, Flagler College Gargoyle, Flagler College
Finalist: Arnold’s last-second heroic 3-point shot sends Jaguars to Elite Eight... — by Carlos Rodriguez, The Bell Ringer, Augusta University
Finalist: Fotopoulos steps down; Players claim mistreatment — by Georgia Bobo, The Current, Eckerd College

Editorial/Opinion Writing
Winner: The Independent Florida Alligator editorials — by The Independent Florida Alligator Editorial Board, The Independent Florida Alligator, University of Florida
Finalist: Columns — by Sophia Ling, Emory Wheel, Emory University
Finalist: Our view — by The Crimson White Editorial Board, The Crimson White, University of Alabama

General Column Writing
Winner: Lutalica — by Sophia Ling, Sophia Peyser, Brammhi Balarajan, Emory Wheel, Emory University
Finalist: Brodsky in between — by Ben Brodsky, The Emory Wheel, Emory University
Finalist: Columns — by Leah Lentz, The Current, Eckerd College

Sports Column Writing
Winner: It's not a game anymore — by Claire Fenton, Jenna Daly, The Emory Wheel, Emory University

Corbin Gwaltney Award for Best All-Around Student Newspaper (Large)
Winner: The Independent Florida Alligator — by The Independent Florida Alligator staff, The Independent Florida Alligator, University of Florida
Finalist: The Emory Wheel — by The Emory Wheel staff, The Emory Wheel, Emory University
Finalist: The Red & Black — by The Red & Black staff, The Red & Black, University of Georgia

Best Student Magazine
Winner: Black love — by Ashton Jah, Tyler Hogan, Ashlee Woods, Nineteen Fifty-Six, University of Alabama
Finalist: SCAN Magazine — by SCAD Connector staff, SCAD Connector, Savannah College of Art and Design
Finalist: Alice — by Alice staff, Alice, University of Alabama

Best Affiliated Web Site
Winner: SCADConnector.com — by SCAD Connector staff, SCAD Connector, Savannah College of Art and Design
Finalist: Distraction Magazine website — by Distraction Magazine staff, Distraction Magazine, University of Miami

Best Independent Online Student Publication
Winner: The Red & Black — by The Red & Black staff, The Red & Black, University of Georgia
Finalist: Viking Fusion — by Viking Fusion Staff, Viking Fusion, Berry College

Art/Graphics/Multimedia

Breaking News Photography
Winner: Sister Cindy draws crowd at alma mater — by Alan Halaly, The Independent Florida Alligator, University of Florida

Feature Photography
Winner: Sun star — by David Gray, The Crimson White, University of Alabama
Finalist: Celebrating Diwali in South Carolina — by Kaylie Pomichalek, The Carolina News & Reporter, University of South Carolina College of Journalism
Finalist: Gators comeback in OT to take down in-state rival Miami — by Emma Bissell, floridagators.com, University of Florida

Photo Essay/Slideshow
Winner: A homestead migrant worker’s journey — by Adelia Hernandez, South Florida Media Network, Florida International University
Finalist: Galway artists say Celtic tattoos not cultural appropriation — by Parker Luellen, Viking Fusion, Berry College
Finalist: Duck and sheep herding — by Nolan Scoretz, Campus Carrier, Berry College

Illustration
Winner: Red wave — by Chau Anh Nguyen, The Emory Wheel, Emory University

Sports Photography
Winner: The upside down — by David Gray, The Crimson White, University of Alabama
Finalist: St. Francis swimmer Allison Dey swims during the Rob Ramirez City Swim Meet at Northeast Pool — by Lauren Witte, The Gainesville Sun, University of Florida
Finalist: Florida Gators women's basketball takes down Miami in overtime — by Emma Bissell, floridagators.com, University of Florida

Best Use of Multimedia
Winner: Project Galway — by Viking Fushion staff, Viking Fusion, Berry College

News Videography
Winner: Operation Island Rescue — by Chris Will, WUFT News, University of Florida

Feature Videography
Winner: Flying golf carts — by Ophelie Jacobson, WUFT News, University of Florida
Finalist: College student starts business, brings attention to mental health — by Madison Bakatsias, The Beacon Today, Palm Beach Atlantic University

Audio

Radio News Reporting
Winner: Wheel talk: The Mummy debate at the Carlos — by The Emory Wheel, The Emory Wheel, Emory University
Finalist: Sunken homes — by Jack Prator, WUFT-FM, University of Florida

Radio Feature
Winner: Spooked — by Jaelanne Thomas, TROY Public Radio, Troy University
Finalist: Jim Crow and the Coast — by Christina Pugliese, WUFT-FM, University of Florida

Radio In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Mobile residents learn the history of the last known slave ship in Alabama — by Jared McBride, TROY Public Radio, Troy University

Best All-Around Radio Newscast
Winner: The Point Newscast — by The Point staff, WUFT-FM, University of Florida

Podcast (Conversational)
Winner: The Extras — by Marissa Schabes, The producer's podcast channel, Furman University
Finalist: The Secret Lives of Scientists — by Taylor Gutierrez, South Florida Media Network, Florida International University
Finalist: Clifton Culture — by The Emory Wheel, The Emory Wheel, Emory University

Broadcast

Television Breaking News Reporting
Winner: K9 controversy video released — by Jake Reyes, Shawn Humphrey, WUFT-TV, University of Florida

Television General News Reporting
Winner: Against all odds — by Sophia Vitello, UMTV, University of Miami
Finalist: Mold concerns — by Natalie Williamson, Spring Hill Now, Spring Hill College
Finalist: Soldiers fight their way through Fort Jackson's night course — by Joshua Tekle, Ashley Listrom, Carolina News, University of South Carolina

Television Feature Reporting
Winner: Horse therapy — by Jaya Williams, UMTV, University of Miami
Finalist: The hidden opponent — by Jaclyn Marra, UMTV, University of Miami
Finalist: Sydney Beraho — by Abigail Newcomb, Furman University News Channel, Furman University

Television In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Mold in North Village — by Jada Walker, FUNC, Furman University
Finalist: GPD K9 controversy — by WUFT-TV News staff, WUFT-TV, University of Florida
Finalist: Amid low statewide blood supply, sickle cell patients are calling for help — by Finn Carlin, Carolina News, University of South Carolina

Television Sports Reporting
Winner: More than a mascot — by Derryl Barnes, Daniel Toll, Morgan Champey, UMTV, University of Miami
Finalist: Rivalry & traditions: Florida-Georgia in Jax — by Chris Will, WUFT-TV, University of Florida

Best All-Around Television Newscast
Winner: NewsVision — by NewsVision staff, UMTV, University of Miami
Finalist: Newsbreak — by SFMN staff, South Florida Media Network, Florida International University

Best All-Around Television News Magazine
Winner: PrimeTime — by PrimeTime staff, UMTV, University of Miami
Finalist: Hurricane Ian: The aftermath — by WUFT NEWS, WUFT-TV, University of Florida

All Platform

Arts/Entertainment/Fashion Journalism
Winner: Nothing is fair in art and war — by — Samuel Shafiro, The Emory Wheel, Emory University
Finalist: Making weird werk — by Scarlett Diaz, Distraction Magazine, University of Miami
Finalist: Long-standing music venue closes doors once again — by Kristine Villarroel, The Independent Florida Alligator, University of Florida

Cultural Criticism
Winner: Arts Columns — by Ben Brodsky, The Emory Wheel, Emory University
Finalist: Arts Columns — by Easton Lane, The Emory Wheel, Emory University

Food/Restaurant Journalism
Winner: Sophia's Smorgasbord — by Sophia Ling, The Emory Wheel, Emory University

SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to informing citizens; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and fights to protect First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. Support excellent journalism and fight for your right to know. Become a member, give to the Legal Defense Fund or give to the SPJ Foundation.

-END-

SPJ to partner with 'Trusted Sources' documentary

Wed, 5 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0500

CONTACT:
Claire Regan, SPJ National President, cregan@spj.org
Zoë Berg, SPJ Communications Specialist, 317-920-4785, zberg@spj.org
Don Colacino, Trust Documentary LLC Producer, (303) 578-6312, info@trustdocfilm.com

INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists is partnering with “Trusted Sources," an independent documentary film exploring solutions to declining trust in news.

The film, produced and directed by filmmaker Don Colacino, features interviews with journalists, media experts and scholars from across the United States who are working to address the crisis of trust in news. The film offers a comprehensive view of the challenges faced by the news industry, solutions to the problem of declining trust, and techniques that individuals can use to identify trustworthy news sources for themselves.

"We are excited to support 'Trusted Sources' and its efforts to explore solutions to the issue of declining trust in news," said SPJ National President Claire Regan "At a time when the media landscape is changing rapidly, it is crucial that we work together to uphold the values of ethical journalism and promote transparency and accountability. We believe this film can help start important conversations about the future of the media industry and we are proud to be a part of it."

As part of the partnership, SPJ will promote the film to its members and support its distribution and outreach efforts. SPJ will also offer guidance to help ensure the accuracy of the film.

"We are thrilled to partner with the Society of Professional Journalists, an organization that shares our commitment to promoting ethical and responsible journalism," said Colacino. "Our goal with 'Trusted Sources' is to spark a conversation about the importance of trust in news and to inspire positive change within the industry and the public. We believe that this partnership with SPJ will help us reach a wider audience and bring attention to the vital work being done to restore struggling local news outlets and trust in the media."

"Trusted Sources" is targeted for national release in the spring of 2024.

SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to informing citizens; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and fights to protect First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. Support excellent journalism and fight for your right to know. Become a member, give to the Legal Defense Fund or give to the SPJ Foundation.

-END-

Region 2 Mark of Excellence Awards 2022 winners announced

Mon, 3 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0500

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Region 6 Mark of Excellence Awards 2022 winners announced

Mon, 3 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0500

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Region 7 Mark of Excellence Awards 2022 winners announced

Mon, 3 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0500

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Region 8 Mark of Excellence Awards 2022 winners announced

Mon, 3 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0500

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SPJ calls for release of Wall Street Journal reporter and all imprisoned journalists

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0500

CONTACT:
Claire Regan, SPJ National President, cregan@spj.org
Zoë Berg, SPJ Communications Specialist, 317-920-4785, zberg@spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists strongly denounces the arrest by Russia of Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Gershkovich and calls for his immediate release.

“The arrest of Evan Gershkovich for doing his job as a well-respected journalist underscores how dangerous it is to be a journalist in Russia,” said SPJ National President Claire Regan. “This appears to be an act of retaliation against Gershkovich for his reporting on Russia. It may also be an attempt to intimidate foreign journalists covering Russia, who are much needed as the war with Ukraine continues and Russia limits coverage by its own journalists.”

The arrest came shortly after a series of articles detailed the impact sanctions have had on the Russian economy. Russia was sanctioned after its invasion of Ukraine. According to media reports Gershkovich was arrested in Yekaterinburg in the Ural Mountains. The Russian prosecutors said he was trying to obtain information about businesses in the area, which they claim were suppliers to the Russian military.

Gershkovich was charged with espionage, however, the Journal ‘vehemently denies’ allegations against him. These charges have not been issued against an American journalist since 1986 when Nicholas Daniloff of U.S. News & World Report was arrested by the then KGB. Daniloff was later released in exchange for a Soviet diplomat arrested by the FBI.

Reporters face up to 15 years in prison for discussing the invasion of Ukraine as a war. A number of Western news outlets left Russia rather than risk the arrest of their reporters. The Russian government has criticized Western reporting on the war in Ukraine as “fake news” and racist. It has also blocked Facebook and Twitter in the country.

“Since the invasion of Ukraine, the Russian government has not only threatened and harassed foreign reporters, it has also banned all news outlets not slavishly dedicated to the Putin regime,” said SPJ International Community Co-chair Dan Kubiske. “The Kremlin appears to be engaged in a full-court press to ensure that only its message about the invasion gets out.”

SPJ not only demands the immediate release of Gershkovich, it also call for the immediate release of the other 20-plus journalists arrested for “doing journalism.”

SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to informing citizens; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and fights to protect First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. Support excellent journalism and fight for your right to know. Become a member, give to the Legal Defense Fund or give to the SPJ Foundation.

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SPJ on Fox News lawsuit allegations: 'No responsible journalist can accept or excuse this behavior'

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 09:50:00 -0500

CONTACT:
Claire Regan, SPJ National President, cregan@spj.org
Zoë Berg, SPJ Communications Specialist, 317-920-4785, zberg@spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists has been watching Dominion Voting Systems’ lawsuit against Fox News unfold.

Text messages, emails and other recently disclosed court evidence in the case appear to show that popular prime-time Fox News hosts, with support from network executives, gave their viewers false and misleading information, apparently out of concern that fact-based reporting would damage the company’s brand, allowing competitors to siphon away viewers.

News organizations have a fundamental obligation to be honest in the reporting and opinion they disseminate. It is unprofessional, unethical and potentially harmful for a journalist or news organization to deliberately mislead their audience, no matter the motivation or format.

SPJ National President Claire Regan and members of SPJ’s Professional Standards and Ethics Committee find the allegations against Fox News deeply troubling. A fundamental ethical rule of journalism, set out in the SPJ Code of Ethics, is to seek the truth and report it. If a news organization knowingly spreads lies, either in news reporting or opinion, it has clearly breached this most sacred of principles. No responsible journalist can accept or excuse this behavior.

Attorneys for Fox News contend that its coverage of the false election fraud claims in 2020 was reporting on matters of public concern, and its endorsement of such claims, through certain of its on-air hosts, was opinion — free speech protected by the U.S. Constitution. In recent decades, the lines between factual reporting and commentary have become increasingly blurred. However, responsible opinion hosts and commentators have a duty to use verified facts as the basis of their arguments and to not peddle what they know to be lies and disinformation. Many people use the information they get from their favorite hosts and commentators to form their own opinions.

We support journalists at Fox who have refused to take part in narratives of falsehoods.

Some media companies have found footing in pandering to target audiences on all sides of our cultural and political divides. Appealing to confirmation bias and manufacturing outrage with deceptive posturing for profit, popularity or power while turning away from facts is a cynical and hypocritical strategy. It is unconscionable and an insult to the tens of thousands of American journalists, including many at Fox, who understand their obligation to serve the public interest, not the bottom line.

SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to informing citizens; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and fights to protect First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. Support excellent journalism and fight for your right to know. Become a member, give to the Legal Defense Fund or give to the SPJ Foundation.

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SPJ asks Congress to reintroduce and pass Journalist Protection Act

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0500

CONTACT:
Claire Regan, SPJ National President, cregan@spj.org
Zoë Berg, SPJ Communications Specialist, 317-920-4785, zberg@spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists sent a letter to members of Congress today requesting reintroduction of the Journalist Protection Act and increased support in passing it this congressional term.

The Journalist Protection Act was introduced five years ago by Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Sen. Bob Menendez and Rep. Eric Swalwell and, if passed, would make it a federal crime to knowingly assault a reporter engaging in the act of newsgathering.

“Journalists risk their lives every minute of every day when reporting in the field,” SPJ National President Claire Regan said. “SPJ has issued safety guidelines, but there is only so much newsroom leaders can do to protect their staff from harm in vulnerable situations. Passing the Journalist Protection Act would enhance the guidelines set forth by SPJ by going even further to make it a federal offense to knowingly assault journalists. It is time for Congress to finally pass this critical legislation."

In recent years, journalists have been assaulted at protests, rallies, crime scenes and while reporting in their communities, and most recently two journalists were shot in Florida in February. In 2022, there were 40 assaults on journalists in the United States, according to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, and even more journalists were — and continue to be — threatened and harassed each day both in person and online.

SPJ has asked for this legislation to be passed in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Each year, it has become even more clear why journalists must be federally protected when newsgathering. Now, SPJ joins other journalism organizations, including the Radio Television Digital News Association, in asking for the Journalist Protection Act to be reintroduced and passed in the 118th Congress.

This letter was sent to House Committee on the Judiciary, Chairman Jim Jordan and Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler; House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security; Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Chairman Dick Durbin and Ranking Member Lindsey Graham; Florida Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio; Florida Representatives Matt Gaetz, Neal Dunn, Kat Cammack, Aaron Bean, John Rutherford, Michael Waltz, Cory Mills, Bill Posey, Darren Soto, Maxwell Frost, Daniel Webster, Gus M. Bilirakis, Anna Paulina Luna, Kathy Castor, Laurel Lee, Vern Buchanan, Greg Steube, Scott Franklin, Byron Donalds, Sheila Cherfilus McCormick, Brian Mast, Lois Frankel, Jared Moskowitz, Frederica Wilson, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Mario Diaz-Balart, María Elvira Salazar and Carlos Gimenez; and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Sen. Bob Menendez and Rep. Eric Swalwell.

SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to informing citizens; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and fights to protect First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. Support excellent journalism and fight for your right to know. Become a member, give to the Legal Defense Fund or give to the SPJ Foundation.

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Three Affiliated Tribes’ Mark Fox administration recipient of Black Hole Award

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0500

CONTACT:
Jodi Rave Spotted Bear, SPJ Freedom of Information Committee Chair, jodispottedbear@gmail.com
Zoë Berg, SPJ Communications Specialist, 317-920-4785, zberg@spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists is giving its annual Black Hole Award to the Mark Fox Administration of the Three Affiliated Tribes for a litany of transparency issues, including alleged violations of the tribe’s own constitution and bylaws.

The Black Hole Award highlights the most heinous violations of the public’s right to know and is awarded each year during Sunshine Week. This marks the first time this award has been given to a tribal government.

“The scope and scale of the lack of transparency by the Three Affiliated Tribes sets it apart from the very strong contenders for this year's Black Hole Award,” said Shannon Shaw Duty, SPJ Freedom of Information Committee member, Osage News editor and Osage tribal citizen. “This case appears to be a prime case study in how secrecy regarding use of public funds undermines faith in government.”

The Fox Administration received two nominations from citizens of Three Affiliated Tribes, also referred to as the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation. TAT’s lack of compliance with the tribal constitution’s financial disclosure rules is longstanding and ongoing, said Howard Goldberg, SPJ FOI Committee member and retired AP New York bureau chief. “Officers of the North Dakota-based Three Affiliated Tribes have erected a stunning wall of secrecy around how they spend the hundreds of millions of dollars a year they receive in tax revenue, oil and gas royalties, and income from their large casino and hotel in Fort Berthold.”

Although TAT Constitution and Bylaws states that money spent from the Tribal Business Council fund is a matter of public record, citizens were not provided with a copy of the TAT’s 2018 audit or any other audit upon request, according to the nomination materials. Citizens received a 2018 copy through a leak, when it was discovered that the auditing firm issued two adverse opinions and four disclaimed opinions. Furthermore, to the public’s knowledge, the tribe has not conducted an annual audit since 2018, despite the requirement in the TAT Constitution and Bylaws.

“It has been my experience that tribal governments will pass code as a way to save face in the public eye,” said Angel Ellis, SPJ FOI Committee member, Native American Journalists Association board member, Mvskoke Media director and citizen of the Muscogee Nation. “It is willful deceit when they refuse to comply with the very laws they create. It is a practice well taught in colonialism, and I feel like the most underrepresented communities deserve so much better than politicized power plays that protect grift and fraud.”

Beyond the alleged violations of the tribe’s own laws regarding transparency, TAT officials have also been implicated in illegal fiscal activity, which involved bribery between a contractor and tribe officials. The administration also purchased property for $90-125 million and did not inform the citizens until the deal was finalized.

“The actions of Chairman Fox and his administration come at a greater cost than can be measured in mere dollars and cents. The malfeasance, combined with efforts to hide it from their constituents amounts to a betrayal of trust,” said Donald W. Meyers, SPJ FOI Committee member and Yakima (Washington) Herald-Republic reporter. “The people of the Three Affiliated Tribes counted on Chairman Fox and his administration to act in their best interests and give them an accounting of his stewardship. Not only were resources that could have been used to benefit the people squandered, but so has trust in the government, which will likely take longer to repay than the misspent funds."

SPJ FOI Committee Chair Jodi Rave Spotted Bear is an enrolled citizen of the Three Affiliated Tribes, as well as an SPJ at-large director and an SPJ Foundation Board member. Spotted Bear, who is also chair and founder of the Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance, said, “The Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation leaders undermine democracy on a daily basis while operating as an authoritarian government that represses opposition, silences citizen voices and allows for ongoing secrecy of government spending.”

SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to informing citizens; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and fights to protect First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. Support excellent journalism and fight for your right to know. Become a member, give to the Legal Defense Fund or give to the SPJ Foundation.

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SPJ releases top 10 urgent threats to freedom of information

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0500

CONTACT:
Jodi Rave Spotted Bear, SPJ Freedom of Information Committee Chair, jodispottedbear@gmail.com
Zoë Berg, SPJ Communications Specialist, 317-920-4785, zberg@spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists has named the top 10 urgent threats to freedom of information in 2023 at the local, state and tribal levels in conjunction with Sunshine Week, the annual nationwide celebration of access to public information.

“The public’s right to access government records is critical to a healthy democracy, yet freedom of information is under constant threat," SPJ Freedom of Information Committee Chair Jodi Rave Spotted Bear said. "Open records laws are critical to government transparency at the local, state, federal and tribal level. All lawmakers should be working to strengthen freedom of information protections, not weaken them.

“The top 10 urgent threat list shows we have an overlooked segment of the public — the dual citizens of Indigenous nations and the United States – who have little to zero access to open records in their own communities,” said Spotted Bear, who is also an SPJ at-large director.

Sterling Cosper, vice chair of the SPJ FOI Committee: “To be truly in charge of their government, the people need the most transparency possible. If someone can’t deal with constant scrutiny while trying to go about the tough job of governing, they have no business doing it.”

Here are SPJ’s Top 10 Urgent Threats to Freedom of Information in 2023:

Most Indigenous people in the United States do not have access to vital governmental records within their own tribes. There are 574 federally recognized sovereign tribal governments within the United States. The Native American Journalists Association reports that fewer than five tribes have freedom of information laws granting the right to its citizens to access government documents or deliberations. How can a government be for the people when the people don’t know what is happening with their government?

Lawmakers in Missouri are considering legislation that would substantially weaken the Missouri Sunshine Law. The bill would “allow lawmakers to withhold a wide swath of records from the public,” the Missouri Independent reported, including records of a state lawmaker or staff member pertaining to “legislation or the legislative process.”

Two bills in Washington State would make it more difficult for requesters to appeal denials and allow courts to penalize requesters. “If passed as drafted, this legislation would make the state Public Records Act more burdensome for requesters,” the Washington Coalition for Open Government has said. “It would make state and local governments less transparent.”

In Hawaii, lawmakers are considering legislation to keep budget documents and other records secret. These documents “that are now routinely made public by state and county agencies might instead be kept secret,” according to Honolulu Civil Beat.

Arizona state legislators in January adopted new rules shielding their own records from disclosure under the state’s open records law. Under the new rules, the Washington Post reported, legislators’ “emails and other documents will be destroyed after 90 days — in many cases, well before members of the public know to ask for them.”

The Wisconsin Supreme Court issued a decision in 2022 weakening the right of requesters to recover fees from recalcitrant agencies. The court held that “if government bodies turn over records voluntarily, after being sued but before a judge takes action, the requesters have not prevailed under the law and can no longer seek attorneys fees,” the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. State lawmakers are now considering legislation that would counteract this decision.

In Iowa, state lawmakers are considering a measure that could lead to substantial delays to litigation over public records cases in court. “This proposal would create a huge, and worrisome, bottleneck at the Iowa Public Information Board,” Randy Evans, executive director of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, told Iowa Capital Dispatch. “It is not unusual for cases to drag for months with no decision by the board.”

In Georgia, lawmakers have advanced legislation that “would require redaction of names and property ownership from state data bases of law enforcement personnel, politicians, and hundreds of thousands of other government officials,” the Georgia Recorder reported. Open government advocates have criticized the proposals as well-intentioned but overly broad, the Recorder reported, noting that “politicians running for office could shield their assets from scrutiny, and even live outside the district where they are running for office.

State lawmakers in Virginia last month struck down a proposal that would have required disclosure by state agencies of the names of government officials using taxpayer-funded credit cards. Secrecy surrounding which officials are making purchases “means that holding anyone accountable for any questionable purchases is difficult,” Virginia Coalition for Open Government executive director Megan Rhyne told the Virginia Mercury.

New Mexico state lawmakers are considering legislation that would reduce the transparency of the hiring process for government executive positions. “The bill, which has drawn opposition from open-government advocates, adds an exemption to the New Mexico Public Records Act,” the Santa Fe New Mexican reported. “It would allow governments to keep secret the identities of applicants for appointed executive positions, such as a city manager, police chief or school superintendent, except for finalists.”

SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to informing citizens; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and fights to protect First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. Support excellent journalism and fight for your right to know. Become a member, give to the Legal Defense Fund or give to the SPJ Foundation.

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SPJ FOI Chair on press freedom in Indian Country and Sunshine Week plans

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0500

CONTACT:
Jodi Rave Spotted Bear, SPJ Freedom of Information Committee Chair, jodispottedbear@gmail.com
Zoë Berg, SPJ Communications Specialist, 317-920-4785, zberg@spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS — This column is written by Jodi Rave Spotted Bear, who is the Society of Professional Journalists Freedom of Information Committee Chair and the founder and director of the Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance. A version of this column, “Sunshine Week should be celebrated in Indian Country, but we have no freedom of information laws,” first appeared on March 8 in the Buffalo’s Fire newsletter.

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Each year, citizens — one need not even be a U.S. citizen — file thousands of requests to access government records with any federal agency. For one week each year, we illuminate the pitfalls, and we celebrate the successes of the people’s right to access government records during Sunshine Week.

National Sunshine Week, started by the American Society of News Editors, now the News Leaders Association, is this week, March 12-18. It’s an homage to the free flow of information in a democratic society. Each state has freedom of information laws, similar to the federal government. These laws make government accountable to the people.

But there’s a caveat to the open-government record rule. The Native American Journalists Association estimates less than five of 574 Indigenous nations in the United States have freedom of information provisions, according to Bryan Pollard, NAJA’s former assistant director and also project director of the Red Press Initiative.

The lack of timely and accurate information creates news deserts in communities already pummeled by high poverty, decreased life expectancy, and high imprisonment rates — just a few examples of economic, health and social ills that might be less severe with a vibrant, independent news ecosystem.

Adherence to government transparency often falls to language in tribal constitutions. The lack of robust freedom of information laws leaves tribal citizens, journalists and news organizations with little recourse when trying to hold Indigenous government leaders accountable. Those leaders become vulnerable to corruption.

A number of organizations around the country dedicate time and resources to help others navigate access to government records. The Society of Professional Journalists is among those celebrating Sunshine Week. When I was asked to chair the SPJ’s Freedom of Information Committee, I accepted.

This year, our committee has a slate of Sunshine Week activities scheduled, such as a 101 on how to file a Freedom of Information Act request. We’re also promoting a discussion on the U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award: Freedom of Expression for “Bad Press,” a documentary about the Muscogee media battle for press freedom. On Thursday, the group will present the annual Black Hole Award, a dubious distinction highlighting “the most heinous violations of the public’s right to know.”

Last year, the SPJ FOI Committee selected Idaho’s Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin for declining to provide records of public comment from the state’s website. In 2021, she organized a task force to examine what was taught in Idaho schools. The end goal was to prevent public schools from teaching that addressed issues such as critical race theory, socialism and communism.

Media outlets that sought information through legal channels became targets of the political leader. The Idaho Press Club then filed suit. Finally, public comments on McGeachin’s task force were released.

Turns out that “the public feedback was overwhelmingly opposed to her education task force,” according to last year’s SPJ news release on the matter.

“By exposing such abuses, SPJ’s Freedom of Information Committee seeks to educate the public about their rights and call attention to those who would interfere with openness and transparency.”

The SPJ FOI Committee has been reviewing the Black Hole Awards nominations sent in by journalists, open-government advocates and tribal citizens. All nominators shined a light on roadblocks encountered when seeking information about governmental actions.

The committee will announce the Black Hole “winner” on March 16, Freedom of Information Day. The annual event recognizes the birthday of James Madison, a staunch advocate for open government and referred to as the “Father of the Constitution.”

Native citizens, those who hold dual citizenship within the United States and their respective Indigenous Nations deserve access to open government records. We have three pillars of tribal sovereignty, including self-determination and protecting our sacred.

The third pillar of sovereignty, the overlooked pillar, requires tribal leaders to “act in accordance to the will of the people,” as defined by the late legal scholar Vine Deloria Jr.

We all expect government transparency. Indian Country leaders need to evolve and do a better job to inform Indigenous citizens. Our lives depend on it.

SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to informing citizens; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and fights to protect First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. Support excellent journalism and fight for your right to know. Become a member, give to the Legal Defense Fund or give to the SPJ Foundation.

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