Winners Announced
THE DEADLINE CLUB AWARDS
June 7, 2010
Category 1 is The Daniel Pearl Award for Investigative Reporting by newspapers or wire services. The finalists are:
1. Edward-Isaac Dovere from City Hall, for “Big Money Slides from WFP to City Campaigns” and “All in the Family”
2. Charles Duhigg from The New York Times for “Toxic Waters”
3. Margie Mason and Martha Mendoza from The Associated Press for “When Drugs Stop Working”
The judges said Duhigg deserved to win because he unearthed a scandal thought to have have been solved years ago. Through extensive data analysis and investigating, including submitting over 500 Freedom of Information requests in all 50 states, Duhigg was able to expose hundreds of thousands of violations against the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act. As a result, his series led to regulatory and legislative reviews at every level of government.
The next category is beat reporting for newspapers and wire services. The judges felt that four entries were so strong that all deserved recognition. They are:
1. Nina Bernstein from The New York Times for “Deadly Detention”
2. Kathy Chu from USA Today, for “The Credit Trap”
3. Farnaz Fassihi from The Wall Street Journal, for “Hearts, Mind and Blood: The Battle for Iran”
4. Steven Greenhouse and N.R. Kleinfield from The New York Times, for “World of Hurt”
The judges believe Kleinfield and Greenhouse demonstrated exceptional beat reporting by exposing the shortcomings of New York’s workers’ compensation system and the grueling slowness of the state’s bureaucracy that acts as a roadblock to effective, speedy treatment of illnesses. They revealed the low payout awards, bias in medical exams, unprofessional behavior of hearing lawyers and the political nature of the oversight board.
Category 3 is feature reporting for newspapers and wire services. Finalists are:
1. Michael M. Phillips from The Wall Street Journal for “In One Home, a Mighty City’s Rise and Fall”
2. David Rohde from The New York Times for “Held by the Taliban”
3. Ian Urbina from The New York Times for “Running in the Shadows”
The judges said Phillips used details of one home’s sales over the course of a century to weave together the undulating fortunes of the procession of owners with those of Detroit itself. The result is a crisp picture of the origins of the housing bubble, and a marvelously inventive look at the rise and fall of a (once) great American city.
The next category is spot news reporting for newspapers and wire services. Once again, the judges felt strongly that four finalists deserved to be named. They are:
1. David Scott from The Associated Press for his story about the Fort Hood Massacre
2. Staff reporters from Dow Jones Newswires, for “Pfizer Agrees to Buy Wyeth in 68-Billion Dollar Deal”
3. Staff reporters from Newsday, for “Two Wings and a Prayer”
4. Staff reporters from The New York Times, for its Miracle on the Hudson series coverage
The judges believe Newsday’s coverage of the Hudson River plane crash stood out, even among other excellent coverage of the same event, with its comprehensive and multidimensional reporting and presentation. The publication covered all the angles and provided a well-written package that took readers to the scene and beyond.
In Category 5, enterprise reporting for newspapers and wire services, the finalists are:
1. Jodi Kantor and Rachel Swarns from The New York Times, for “Michelle”
2. Staff reporters from The Associated Press, for its “Stress Map”
3. Ginger Thompson from The New York Times, for “Remade in America”
The judges said Ms. Thompson pinpointed in great detail an issue facing countless school districts through America — the plight of a growing number of immigrant school children and their uncertain future. She focused with diligence and versatility on one such school district and explored the issue from every conceivable angle to give readers a complete picture of this dilemma.
Category 6: reporting in newspapers with a circulation of under 100,000. In this category, there was only one finalist and thus one winner —
The judges said these articles from The Forward managed to do what exceptional journalism does: Inform and spark change. The narratives the reporters used to illustrate the problems were an effective way to connect with readers. Ultimately, the articles prompted several organizations to create or amend policies.
Category 7 is for the best news, series or investigative reporting in a magazine. Our three finalists are:
1. William Langewiesche from Vanity Fair, for “Anatomy of a Miracle”
2. Selena Roberts, David Epstein, Terry McDonell and Mike Bevans, from Sports Illustrated, for “Confronting A-Rod”
3. Sami Yousafzai and Ron Moreau from Newsweek, for “The Mind of the Taliban”
The judges said Langewiesche’s story is more than a stylish re-telling of the Miracle of the Hudson. He provides fascinating details about the history and behavior of the giant Canada geese, Airbus 320 and the pilots of U.S. Airways Flight 1549 — revealing the stories behind the story the world knew.
Category 8, magazine feature reporting. The finalists are:
1. Maziar Bahari from Newsweek, for “118 Days in Hell”
2. James Bandler and Doris Burke from Fortune, for “The Grifter?”
3. Will Bourne and Adam L. Penenberg from Fast Company, for “Evolution of Amazon”
The judges said Bahari’s captivating story took courage to report and offers readers important insight into the Revolutionary Guard’s paranoia about the West.
New Media categories.
In category 9, online spot news reporting, there was one finalist and therefore one winner:
The judges said Ransom brought Goldman down to size. She scratched beneath the surface of Goldman’s corporate message, exposing the fact that the company gains even when it seems to be sacrificing.
In category 10, online enterprise reporting, the finalists are:
1. Susanna Schrobsdorff, Jessica Bennett, Cara Phillips, Monica Parra and Aku Ammah-Tagoe from Newsweek, for “Generation Diva”
2. Andy Staples, Terry McDonell and Paul Fichtenbaum, from Sports Illustrated, for “The Impact of an Ohio School District’s Decision to Cut Sports”
3. Joe Walker and Karen Loew from City Limits, for “Behind a Stolid Facade, the Whole Nation’s Crisis”
The judges said the piece highlighted the ramifications after deep budget cuts eliminated the sports program in a small town. This beautifully written story included vivid descriptions of a town without game, and described the deep divisions the cuts created along with their impact on both kids and adults.
Category 11, online multimedia, interactive graphics and animation. The judges decided there were four excellent entries and named all four finalists. They are:
1. Devin Gordon and Jon Meacham from Newsweek.com, for “20/10: The Decade in Rewind”
2. Ken Light, Katie Paul, Margaret Keady, Kathy Jones, Dylan Isbell, Mark Coatney, and Carl Sullivan from Newsweek, for “The Valley of Shadows”
3. The multimedia staff from The Associated Press, for “Inauguration”
4. Jon Schuppe, Jason Tucker and Joe Valiquette, from DNA info.com for “Inside the DEA and the City’s Drug Trade through an Upper East Side Heroin Den”
The judges said the Newsweek team made smart, sensitive choices in its use of different multimedia tools to tell the economic story of the San Joaquin Valley in California, a region that provides nearly half of all U.S. fruits, nuts and vegetables. The content provided an engaging and strong user experience, relating this regional story to the greater economic problems affecting all Americans today.
For Category 12, online navigation and presentation, there is but one finalist, and thus one winner:
The judges said the breadth of information and seamless use of mixed-media sets SI.com apart. Everything a reader could possibly want is accessible from the home page. The judges were impressed that the site managed to offer a tab for a niche sport like mixed martial arts from the main page while drawing in readers to stories about major sporting events.
The next category, new this year, is online digital video and again there was one finalist and winner:
The judges said “Mexico Drug Wars” was presented in an original and comprehensive way. The production was exceptionally high-quality.
The next category, mobile application, also was introduced this year. The two finalists are The Associated Press and TIME.
The judges felt the AP deserved the win because of the depth and breadth of the information available that was easy to read and search. They said it was by far the easiest to navigate, available on far more platforms than any other entry and provided the most up-to-the-minute news and analysis — critical for a mobile application.
Specialized writing categories.
For Category 15, arts reporting, the finalists are:
1. Randy Gener from American Theatre, for “Fomenting a Denim Revolution”
2. Benjamin Ivry from The Forward, for “From the Kol Israel Orchestra to a Pygmy Choir”
3. Robin Pogrebin from The New York Times, for “Preserving the City”
The judges said Gener shed light into government censorship and repression. He met the high standards of excellence for journalism and went above and beyond with regards to enterprise, resourcefulness, and overcoming obstacles in pursuit of the story.
Business feature. The finalists are:
1. Mark Bowden from Vanity Fair, for “The Inheritance”
2. Jeff Chu from Fast Company, for “A Modern Mess”
3. Reshma Kapadia from SmartMoney, for “The Survivors”
The judges said Chu demonstrated a great nose for news along with persistence and dogged analysis. He exhibited the highest standards of journalism by identifying his subject and convincing key players to reveal hidden facts.
Category 17, business news, series or investigative reporting. Another very strong category, in which the judges decided to honor four finalists. They are:
1. Kathy Chu from USA Today, for “The Credit Trap”
2. Robert Guth, Susan Pulliam and Justin Scheck from The Wall Street
Journal, for “The Network: The Rise of Raj”
3. Michael Lewis from Vanity Fair, for “Wall Street on the Tundra”
4. Mark Whitehouse, Lisa Bannon and Bob Davis from The Wall Street Journal, for “Beyond the Bubble”
The judges said Lewis describes how a high-flying hedge fund mentality gripped Iceland, transforming it into a global economic power and then its stunning collapse within a matter of years. The story is both specific to this unique culture and emblematic of the greater collective madness during the recent economic boom.
Category 18, opinion writing. Our finalists are:
1. Chris Ballard, Terry McDonell and Hank Hersch from Sports Illustrated
2. Christopher Hitchens from Vanity Fair
3. Jay Michaelson from The Forward
The judges said Michaelson argues eloquently in, of all places, The Forward, a Jewish newspaper, about why he’s lost his love for Israel. His is a brave, clear opinion on a subject where there are few right answers.
Moving along to the science, technology, medical or environmental reporting. The finalists are:
1. Gina Kolata, Gardiner Harris, Andrew Pollack and Natasha Singer from
The New York Times, for “Forty Years War”
2. Angie C. Marek from SmartMoney, for “Paging Dr. No”
3. Stephanie Saul from The New York Times, for “21st-Century Babies”
Saul uses a series of compelling and tragic stories to explore how the science of making babies in the 21st century has gone wrong. She impressed the judges with her shoe-leather reporting, thoughtful analysis and riveting prose.
Sports reporting. Four finalists here as well:
1. James Fanelli from the New York Post, for “New Mets Stadium Falling Apart”
2. Todd Pitman, Paul Newberry, Joseph White and Chris Talbott from The Associated Press, for “Out of Africa”
3. Selena Roberts, David Epstein, Terry McDonell and Mike Bevans from
Sports Illustrated, for “Sources Tell SI Alex Rodriguez Tested Positive for
Steroids in 2003”
4. Alan Schwarz from The New York Times, for his concussion series
The judges were impressed with Schwarz’s enterprise sports reporting that explored deep and important medical, social, familial, and legal issues. Due to his investigative work, the National Football Association imposed more stringent rules on managing concussions.
The next categories are photography and graphics.
For Category 21, spot news photo, the finalists are:
1. Guillermo Arias from The Associated Press, for “Hanged”
2. Khalil Hamra, from The Associated Press, for “Bloodbath”
3. Vahid Salemi from The Associated Press, for “Deadly Rally”
The judges said the photo tells the story of the Mexican drug trade in a stark, almost theatrical manner. They were impressed with the composition of the photo, particularly the contrast between right angles, the human form and its perfect framing, and the somber, muted colors.
Feature photo. The finalists are:
1. Ben Baker, Armin Harris, Nancy Jo Johnson, Mina Kimes, Julie Schlosser, and Jessica Shambora, from Fortune, for “The Directors”
2. Annie Leibovitz from Vanity Fair, for “Senator Edward Kennedy and
Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg”
3. Emilio Morenatti from The Associated Press, for “Pakistan Displaced”
The judges said Morenatti’s photographs from refugee camps in Pakistan tell a story of suffering and hope with real artistry, empathy and respect. His powerful images convey emotion through elegant composition and a technically accomplished use of light.
Category 23, sports photo. Our finalists are:
1. John W. McDonough from Sports Illustrated, for “See-through Netting”
2. Daniel Ochoa de Olza from The Associated Press, for “Gored”
3. Damian Strohmeyer from Sports Illustrated, for “Flipping the Bird”
The judges said McDonough’s image captures from above the decisive moment, framing the face of one player perfectly within the basket while showing the dejection on the face of the opposing player. The facial expressions and gestures perfectly convey the intensity of the competition among the world’s top basketball players.
General reporting for radio and audio. There was only one finalist and thus one winner:
The judges said the radio series transported listeners to the golden age for jazz. Fishko weaved music, sounds and distinct voices from a colorful era to tell an amazing story of the history of jazz in New York. The storytelling employed many tools, but none that overwhelmed the listener. This is first-rate radio.
The television categories.
Sspot news reporting. There was only one finalist and so the winner is:
The judges said this team of journalists took the story of the murder of Bob Novack to another level by digging up unique details about the victim and the circumstances in which he died. The reporting was original and engaging, and the photography and editing added a good mixture of sound and visuals.
Feature reporting. The finalists are:
1. Antoinette Biordi and Jack Kearney from News 12 Westchester, for “Pajama Party”
2. Virginia Huie and Brian Endres from News 12 Long Island, for “Caring for the Fallen”
3. Peter Keating and Alexa Pozniak from ESPN, for “Heading for Trouble”
The judges were moved by this heartfelt story. It was extremely well-shot, well-edited and featured strong writing and reporting. This is a story to remember.
Category 28, TV series or investigative reporting, the finalists are:
1. Allan Chernoff, Laura Dolan, Mike Miller, Rod Griola, Jerry Simonson and John Torigoe from CNN, for “Gulfstream Air Investigation”
2. Matt Meagher, Larry Posner, Scott Phillips, Filip Kapsa, Bob Read and
Charles Lachman from Inside Edition for “John Beck’s Amazing Profits”
3. Budd Mishkin, Elizabeth Kaledin, Tara Lynn Wagner, Stephanie Simon,
Jill Scott Urban and Bobby Cuza, for NY1 News, from “Back on the
Highline”
The judges said this team of journalists went behind the scenes and examined training shortcuts that are possible in some flight schools, resulting in far less experienced crews than fliers might expect on large commercial jets. The examination of Gulfstream Air — the flight school and regional carrier — was focused and very well told.
Category 30 is minority focus, an award for outstanding coverage of a minority community, or of an issue with particular impact on such a community that is important to the community at large.
The finalists are:
1. Nina Bernstein from The New York Times, for “Deadly Detention”
2. Ruschell Boone from NY1, for “Muslim in NYC”
3. Gary Fields from The Wall Street Journal, for “Audacity of Hope”
The judges said: Nina Bernstein listened. She investigated rumors of unreported deaths in immigration jails, where unknown to the general public, 400,000 immigrants are processed through 32,000 beds a year. Bernstein uncovered the fact that that one in every 10 deaths was unreported. She shamed authorities to action; her work saving countless lives.
Public service award. We give this award to a news organization that renders a public service to the communities it serves through extensive coverage of controversial issues facing those communities.
The finalists are:
1. Charles Duhigg from The New York Times, for “Toxic Waters”
2. Brian Kates, Kenneth Lovett, Jose Martinez, Adam Lisberg and Barbara Ross from New York Daily News, for “State of Shame: The Dysfunctional Government”
3. Staff writers from The Associated Press, for “Fighting for the Public’s Right to Know”
The judges said Duhigg’s reporting showed a superb use of transitional and new media tools to empower readers through deep reporting. It resulted in real and continuing impact for the good of society – that is: exposing hundreds of thousands of violations against the Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water Acts and getting government at all levels to do something about it.
Congratulations to all!
