Investigative Reporting ( Division B,Division A )Back
Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Green Bay Press-Gazette Entry Title: Wisconsin legislator referred for felony child abuse before elected, but ever charged Entry Credit: Natalie Eilbert, Chris Mueller Judge Comment: Sometimes the only punishment some people receive is exposure in the newspaper. Great job of exposing the hypocrisy, favoritism and irony associated with this public servant and his dealing with police. No doubt your readers asked themselves: "What if it had been me? Would I have been treated so kindly?" That answer, as your story so clearly pointed out, is a resounding no. This is a well-written, informative and educational series of stories. This sort of reporting demonstrates why newspapers continue to play an important role in the daily lives of their readers. Keep up the good work!
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Wisconsin State Journal Entry Title: 'I just want to leave': Afghan refugees speak out about conditions at Fort McCoy Entry Credit: Emily Hamer, Lucas Robinson Judge Comment: Really well-written investigative story about the Afghan refugees' problems at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin. Multi-part, multi-sourced and multi-faceted stories detailing the problems the refugees face and the government's response. Captivating photographs.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: The Sheboygan Press Entry Title: Here's how Sheboygan Lutheran responded when a grad reported that a teacher had sexually groomed, assaulted her Entry Credit: Maya Hilty Judge Comment: This is rock-solid reporting at its best. Great use of quotes. Very informative!
Place Name: Honorable Mention Contestant Name: The Journal Times Entry Title: Blackout Entry Credit: Scott Williams Judge Comment: Great story! Rock-solid reporting. Very informative and very educational. So much for talk of transparency. Who is the DA to determine what the public needs to know and not know? Readers should know if one of their neighbors was arrested and charged with sexual assault of a child. They may not want to let their children stay overnight at the neighbor's house. Their children may be harmed during the yearlong court process. Shouldn't parents know their school bus driver was arrested and charged with DWI? Shouldn't citizens know that a specific liquor store has been robbed at gunpoint repeatedly? They may not want to shop there anymore. Great reporting. Keep at it.
Competition Comment: Really good stories all. Lots of good reporting going on in Wisconsin. Wisconsin newspapers take their government watchdog roles seriously and it benefits their readers.
