Cicero Independiente and MuckRock, Los Angeles Times, Retro Report win New America Award

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9/11/2024

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

INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists is honored to announce the 2024 recipients of its New America Award. This award honors public service journalism that explores and exposes issues of importance to immigrant or ethnic communities in the United States.

This year’s New America division winners are:
• Audio winner – Los Angeles Times for “Foretold”
• Television winner – Retro Report for “Generations Stolen”
• Print/online winner – Cicero Independiente and MuckRock for “The Air We Breathe”

“Foretold” by Los Angeles Times staff is a nine-episode podcast that follows Paulina Stevens, who decided to change the course of her life after being married at 17 years old and becoming a mother at 19. This series documents the consequences of Paulina’s decision to leave her community and redefine her identity. Los Angeles Times reporter Faith Pinho hosts the series and deconstructs the myths and stereotypes that surround the Romani people.

“The Air We Breathe” by Cicero Independiente and MuckRock staffs investigates air pollution in Cicero, Illinois. The results show Cicero’s air quality is much worse than surrounding Cook County neighborhoods, and it’s worse than what the Environmental Protection Agency, the city and an air tracking project by Microsoft have reported.

The overall excellence award winner “Generations Stolen” by Retro Report examines the history of Indigenous child removal and forced adoptions. In 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Indian Child Welfare Act, which established legal protections for Native families and affirmed the authority of tribal governments over their children. Retro Report explores why the Act was needed, documenting in Indigenous people’s own words their painful experiences and shining a light on steps Indigenous families are taking to heal old wounds. “I want America to be aware of what happened to us,” Denise Lajimodiere, a citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe, said. "I call it America's best-kept secret.”

The story demonstrates how Indigenous families are turning to one another and to ceremonies and customs as a pathway to recovery. "Divulging these stories that I’ve kept in my vaults for 50 years – I think it’s a way for me to heal,” said Dennis Decoteau, a citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, who was 11 years old when federal agents removed him from his family and took him to the Wahpeton Indian Boarding School. “But those wounds are still there. They’re still there after 50 years. So, time doesn’t heal all."

New America Award Judges said, “'Generations Stolen' documents a disturbing look inside the Indian Border Schools. Quietly and effectively told. There is an excellent use of rare photos and video. Excellent work that exceeded the excellent work from all the other entries.”

Read more about the New America Award, including past recipients.

SPJ champions journalists by recognizing outstanding achievement, fighting to protect press freedom, promoting high ethical standards and educating new generations of emerging professionals. Support excellent journalism and fight for your right to know. Become a member and give to the Legal Defense Fund, First Amendment Forever Fund or SPJ Foundation.

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