Nick Schwellenbach, Adam Zagorin and David Hilzenrath, journalists for Project On Government Oversight, a nonprofit independent watchdog founded in 1981 that champions good government reforms, are the winners of the Society of Professional Journalists Washington, D.C. Professional Chapter’s highest journalistic award, the Robert D.G. Lewis Watchdog Award which comes with a $1,000 prize.
In addition, the D.C. Pro chapter gave out its annual Dateline Awards for journalism excellence to 65 entries in 20 categories, covering print, TV, radio and online journalism.
The Lewis Award is chosen from among all the entries in the Dateline Awards competition. The entries were judged by members of SPJ’s Cincinnati Chapter. The award was presented at the SPJ Chapter’s annual Dateline Awards banquet at the National Press Club Tuesday night, June 9.
Project on Government Oversight’s investigators and journalists take leads and information from insiders and verify the information through investigations using the Freedom Of Information Act, interviews, and other fact-finding strategies. They then disseminate their findings to the media, Congress, and public interest groups through alerts, statements, studies, and journalistic reports.
The judge for Project on Government Oversight’s categorical entry wrote:
The Pledge of Allegiance makes it clear that in America there is “liberty and justice for all.” However, as the “Department of (In)Justice” points out, there are times when that phrase is merely a concept, not an idea based in reality. The authors uncovered hundreds of cases of prosecutorial abuse and suspected misconduct by attorneys working for the Department of Justice. Some of the cases involved withholding evidence.
The mark of a good watchdog piece is when it gets results. In this case, the story got the attention of Congress with the U.S. Senate debating a bill to give policing of prosecutorial conduct to a more independent federal agency. While there were many entries that were considered for this award, the “Department of (IN)Justice” stood out head and shoulders above the rest. Well done!
List of Winners and Finalists
Here is the complete list and the judges’ comments:
Breaking News: Two winners were chosen in this category. each entry showed quality work under deadline pressure.
Winner: WTOP Staff, WTOP-FM, “Gaithersburg Plane Crash” – Radio is immediacy in the news business and WTOP was on top of the breaking story of a Gaithersburg plane crash. From the first report of the crash to the tragic news of three deaths aboard the plane to the shocking loss of three people on the ground, the WTOP staff professionally conveyed every confirmed detail. Excellent job.
Winner: Staff Report from Communications Daily, Warren Communications News, “Telecom In The 2014 Elections” – This incredibly thorough report shows pre-planning to make sure assignments were covered before election day, execution of that plan in making sure all angles were properly covered and writing in a clear and concise style for readers. Releasing the material in an unusual manner added to the immediacy of the report. Nicely done.
Finalist: Jessica Gresko, The Associated Press, “Freed American Endured Years of Declining Health”
Finalist: Edward-Isaac Dovere and Carrie Budoff Brown, Politico, “Behind The Obamacare Surprise”
Non-breaking News
Winner: David Hilzenrath, Lydia Dennett and Joe Newman, Project On Government Oversight, “System Failure” – We’ve heard the headlines about problems within the VA. This comprehensive report showed that the information getting to the public was just the tip of the iceberg. Falsifying documents regarding the care for people who served the country should shock every American. Not only was this practice uncovered, suggestions were made on how to solve the problem and prevent it from happening again. A real blockbuster story.
Finalist: Luke Mullins, Washingtonian Magazine, “All Politics Is Personal.”
Finalist: Louis Peck, Bethesda Magazine, “All Aboard”
Finalist: Communications Daily, Warren Communications News
Staff Report, “The Telecommunications Act Rewrite: Critical Issues”
Finalist: Nick Iannelli, WTOP-FM, “Murder Capital No More”
Finalist: Erich Wagner, Alexandria Times, “Charles Severance Homicide Investigations”
Beat Reporting
Winner: Manu Raju, Politico, “How The Republican Establishment Tamed The Tea Party” — Extremely well-written and well-researched series from the politics beat. It was very interesting to read about the extent to which politicians – who claim to represent the people that elected them – engage in tactics that only serve to better their own position in Washington.
Finalist: Staff Report from Communications Daily, Warren Communications News, “Telecom Act Coverage”
Finalist: Paula Wolfson, WTOP-FM, “WTOP Health Reporter”
Finalist: Joe McKnight, Communications Daily, Warren Communications News, “Bitcoin”
Investigative Reporting: Two winners
Winner: Michael Smallberg, Project On Government Oversight, “Revolving Doors, Relaxed Ethics” – Outstanding work to document the double standard of government – one minute overseeing an agency and the next minute working for that agency. Important questions were raised about why the system works as it does, but more importantly what is the damage to the public and public confidence. Well done.
Winner: Nick Schwellenbach, Adam Zagorin and David Hilzenrath, Project On Government Oversight, “Department of (In) Justice?” – This is extraordinary work in thoroughly documenting a hidden problem within the justice system. The Pledge of Allegiance ends with the words, “With liberty and justice for all.” These three reporters have left no stone unturned in helping to make sure that those words are true for everyone in the United States. The fact that U.S. Senators cited the piece in calling for independent investigations of prosecutorial misconduct speaks for itself. Well done!
Finalist: John Hendel, Monty Tayloe, Kery Murakami, Howard Buskirk, Jonathan Make, Joe McKnight, Jimm Phillips and others, Communications Daily, Warren Communications News, “The Telecom Revolving Door”
Finalist: Douglas Guarino, National Journal, “EPA Abandons Major Radiation Cleanup in Florida, Despite Cancer Concerns”
Finalist: Ari Ashe, WTOP Radio, “The Ari Amendment – Ticket Buster Investigation”
Finalist: Charlie Hayward, Maryland Reporter, “Analysis: Health Exchange Mess – Failures In Leadership – Assigning Blame and Recouping Money”
Finalist: Jack Moore, Federal News Radio, “Questioning Clearances” – We’ve all heard about the failure in security clearances that allow a free pass for some people. But, what toll has it taken on citizens. Jack Moore does a very good job flushing out the problem, but more importantly, exploring options to solve things. Good job.
Finalist: Amy McCullough, Air Force Magazine, “Looking East and The Guard Partnerships”
Finalist: J.J. Green, WTOP-FM, “Five Years In Hell. The Story of Prisoner #16”
Washington Correspondent
Winner: Dee Ann Divis, Inside GNSS, Gibbons Media, “Empty Skies” – Well-detailed and comprehensive handling of a complex subject that impressed this judge especially because of his experience as a writer and editor of aerospace material.
Feature
Winner: Luke Mullins, Washingtonian Magazine, “The Chef Who Brought Down Bob McDonnell”– Vibrant storytelling at its best, full of memorable characters, high drama and a rigorous pursuit of getting the facts straight through diligent research. This story hooked me from start to finish.
Finalist: Kathleen Wheaton, Bethesda Magazine, “Requiem for a Peacemaker”— Powerful story about a young man’s tragic death that was very well-sourced and driven by a well-constructed narrative that engaged the reader throughout.
Finalist: Michael Gaynor, Washingtonian Magazine, “The Suit Who Spooked the EPA,”– This piece reads like good fiction — it was hard to put down. It’s well-researched, compelling and illustrates how a good con man can fool just about anybody.
Finalist: Katherine Reynolds Lewis, Northern Virginia Magazine, “An Advocate for Animals” –Written with compelling narrative style, this story seamlessly alternates detailed descriptive scenes with background context on the humane farming movement.
Series: Two winners
Winner: Michael Smallberg, Project On Government Oversight, “Revolving Doors, Relaxed Ethics,” – Outstanding work to document the double standard of government – one minute overseeing an agency and the next minute working for that agency. Important questions were raised about why the system works as it does, but more importantly what is the damage to the public and public confidence. Well done.
Winner: Jack Moore, Federal News Radio, “Questioning Clearances” – We’ve all heard about the failure in security clearances that allow a free pass for some people. But, what toll has it taken on citizens. Jack Moore does a very good job flushing out the problem, but more importantly, exploring options to solve things. Good job.
Finalist: Amy McCullough, Air Force Magazine, “Looking East and The Guard Partnerships”
Finalist: J.J. Green, WTOP-FM, “Five Years In Hell. The Story of Prisoner #16”
Column/Blog
Winner – Roger Simon, Politico, “Roger Simon’s Simon Says Column” – Great job! Interesting perspective. Good writing, storytelling, interviewing skills. Thought-provoking. Effectively incorporates facts, details.
Finalist – John Tirpak, Air Force Magazine, “Aperture Monthly Column” – Great job. Effectively conveys facts, details. Concise reporting.
Finalist – Walt Mossberg, Re/code, “Taking on Technology” – Great job. Thorough with attention to detail. Catchy headlines and leads. Thoughtful writing.
Finalist – Paul Fletcher, Virginia Lawyers Weekly, “Publisher’s Notebook” columns. Great job. Told story from an interesting perspective. Thoughtful use of facts and details. Good reporting/storytelling.
Commentary
Winner – Chris Core, WTOP, “Core Values” – Effective storytelling. Interesting, thoughtful approach. Great use of facts, details. Compelling. Keep up the great work. Your work stands out and you have a gift.
Finalist – Clinton Yates, WTOP, “My Take” – Good storytelling with effective use of facts and details.
Finalist – Kevin Naff, Washington Blade, “After car crash, rethinking life’s priorities.” – Good storytelling. Thorough. Incorporates attention to detail.
Finalist – Michael Lavers, Washington Blade, “My partner is 34 years my senior – so what?” – Good op-ed in light of controversy. Thorough. Attention to facts and details.
Newsletter
Winner: Matthew Bin Han Ong, The Cancer Letter, “Power Morcellation: A Hazardous Practice” – An excellent job of dealing clearly and comprehensively with a complex issue.
Finalist: Communications Daily, Warren Communications News – Communications Daily actually submitted four entries of its consistently good work, which made it tough for this judge despite his nearly 60 years of writing and editing and teaching and judging of such competitions to decide to select one as a finalist. But, the entry chosen did a fine job of dealing in a combination of six stories out of the 2014 midterm congressional elections.
Finalist: Lee Hudson, Inside Washington Publishers, “Marines Alter Multimillion Dollar Strategy” – The judge can appreciate the challenge of dealing with such a subject having spent time as an active duty Marine on writing always subject to the complexities of funding and procurement to say nothing of dealing with the system f rank and not always openness. The writer clearly worked at understanding her subject and clearly gained the respect of her sources.
Editorial
Winner: Paul Fletcher, Virginia Lawyers Weekly, “Time Is Now For Federal Shield Law” – Forceful and direct as a clear expression of the writer’s point.
Finalist: Adam Hebert, Air Force Magazine, “Crimea and Punishment” — Strong and well back-grounded statement of the writer’s position.
Business
Winner – Brett Zongker, The Associated Press, “Eye on Philanthropy” – Great job. Interesting perspective. Good reporting and storytelling. Excellent use of facts, details and quotes. Effectively engages the reader.
Arts Criticism
Winner – Brett Zongker, The Associated Press, “Behind the Curtain: Arts reporting that explores and explains the development of new theater productions and how one show has persisted for 60 years.” – Great job. Quality storytelling with attention to detail. Concise, thorough reporting and writing.
Finalist – Joey DiGuglielmo. Washington Blade, “Aretha’s Triple Whammy” – Thorough critique. In-depth look at Aretha from an unusual, thoughtful perspective.
Finalist – Jason Fraley, WTOP, “Jason Fraley.” — Good reporting. Knowledgeable about subject matter. Effectively shares expertise.
Sports
Winner – Todd Dybas, The Washington Times, “Saturday with Maury” – Great story, interesting perspective. Nice use of detail. Captivating storytelling. Well done!
Finalist – Tom Schad, The Washington Times, “Taking It On Faith” and portfolio – Great job! Excellent writing and storytelling.
Finalist – Zac Boyer, The Washington Times, “Faces of Change” – Great story! Unusual angle, great perspective.
Finalist – Amy Reinink, Bethesda Magazine, “One of Their Own” – Story incorporated attention to depth and detail. Very thorough. Great job.
Photojournalism
Winner: Michael Key, Washington Blade, “Years in the LGBT Movement” — Impressive collection of photos documenting the LGBT Movement. Lack of captions precluded full appreciation of the changes the pictures captured. It’s unclear where and when shots were made.
Finalist: Rachel Larue, Pentagram, “Susan Myers, widow of Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene” — Sensitive documentation of a burial in Arlington National Cemetery. The grief of Dr. Susan Myers, Greene’s widow, is palpable as she stretches her arms across the top of his casket.
Photo Story
Winner: Andrew Propp, Washingtonian Magazine, “Sea Change” — Twelve interesting pictures provide insight into life on the water at Gangplank Marina. Featured are a variety of settings and moments of residents of a house barge, houseboats and yachts.
Feature Photography
Winner: Susan Hale Thomas, Alexandria Times, “On the ropes” – Intensity of emotion is captured in environmental portrait of a young boxer training in a gym. The youngster is nicely framed.
Finalist: Greg Kahn, Washingtonian Magazine, “The Slave Down the Street” – Restricted by not being allowed to show the woman’s face, he used light coming through windows to create two moody portraits.
Photography & Design
Winner: Joanne Lawton, Jamey Fry, Washington Business Journal, “Book of Lists 2015 Cover” – Great composition and design. Effective lighting.
Finalist: Andrew Harnik, Washington Times, “Reflections on a Tuesday” – Eerie, eye-catching color. More information in the caption would have enhanced reader appreciation.
Front Page Design
Winner: Michael Goesele, Scott Suchman, and Washingtonian Staff – Washingtonian Magazine, “Taste” – The “Where Foodies Shop” and “The 25 Best Burgers” covers feature difficult to photograph food, eye-catching type and clear promotion of inside features. This is stand out design for newsstands.
Finalist: Jamey Fry, Washington Business Journal, “Washington Business Journal Covers” – Effective, clear presentation of publication features.
Infographic
Winner: Jamey Fry, Washington Business Journal, “Washington Business Journal graphics” – Wow! Attractive, easy-to-follow graphics clarify voluminous facts of three complicated stories. If these were presented in narrative form, readers’ eyes would glaze over. Especially impressive is the list of Washington region’s 50 largest non-profit organizations.
Finalist: Washingtonian Magazine staff, “Field notes: The Washingtonian Guide to the Silver Line” – This nicely illustrated presentation offers descriptions and facts about the new Washington Metro route that opened July 26.
Finalist: Kristina Parrill, Air Force Magazine, “F-22 Debut” – The infographic breaks down the initial air assault in Syria, including target areas and participating aircraft.