8th annual First Amendment Awards and Scholarship Dinner
The Texas Tribune received the Open Doors Award, and 38 individual journalists
in Texas and Oklahoma were honored at the Society of Professional Journalists,
Fort Worth Professional Chapter’s 8th annual First Amendment Awards and Scholarship Dinner, April 15, 2011, at
Cacharel in Arlington, Texas.
The chapter also distributed $19,000 to 17 students who are either from Texas or
attending school in Texas. Awarding scholarships dates to the chapter’s early days in the 1940s. Close to half a million dollars has been handed out,
$189,600 of that since 2000.
The Texas Tribune, an Austin-based trailblazer in nonprofit journalism, joins
previous Open Doors recipients Dan Malone at Tarleton State University; Craig Flournoy from Southern Methodist University; Jennifer Autrey when she was with the Star-Telegram; Hadassah Schloss in the Texas Attorney General’s Office; Ralph Langer with the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas; Diane Wilson, who wrote “An Unreasonable Woman: A True Story of Shrimpers, Politicos, Polluters, and the
Fight for Seadrift, Texas”; and Jennifer Peebles at Texas Watchdog.
The Open Doors Award celebrates the record of an individual or organization that
defends the people’s right to open government and open records. It complements the chapter’s larger First Amendment Awards competition, which recognizes work in two
divisions — over and under 50,000 circulation — that defends the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment to the
Constitution, furthers the people’s right to know how governments and businesses affect their lives, and champions
the powerless and disadvantaged.
First Amendment Award categories, winners, finalists and comments (in italics)
from judges at the SPJ Pittsburgh Pro Chapter:
1. Defending the Disadvantaged
• circulation over 50,000
Ann Kelley, The Oklahoman, “Liberian Girls”
Kelley followed this story from beginning to end, and the result is a well-reported and tragic story of five Liberian sisters adopted and ultimately abused by their American family. The ending is hopeful, due in large part to Kelley's reporting.
finalists: Michael Baker, The Oklahoman; Dave Lieber, Star-Telegram
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• circulation under 50,000
Kathy Cruz, Hood County News, “Best Interest of the Child”
Cruz saw a community problem — fathers not getting fair treatment in child custody cases — and exposed it with a depth and detail that is impressive. Hopefully, her reporting will make a difference. The Hood County News deserves credit for devoting the resources and space to this important issue, which deserves intensive follow-up.
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• broadcast
Dawn Tongish, KDAF, “Dying for DNA: The Prostitute Program”
Well-done report on a cutting-edge program found only in Dallas. Good photography and sound bites capture the mood and danger of the prostitute's world that show why this program can be so important.
finalists: Robert Arnold, John Barone, KPRC; Michael Henrich, Ben Latham, KOKH
• circulation over 50,000
Ann Kelley, The Oklahoman, “Liberian Girls”
Kelley followed this story from beginning to end, and the result is a well-reported and tragic story of five Liberian sisters adopted and ultimately abused by their American family. The ending is hopeful, due in large part to Kelley's reporting.
finalists: Michael Baker, The Oklahoman; Dave Lieber, Star-Telegram
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• circulation under 50,000
Kathy Cruz, Hood County News, “Best Interest of the Child”
Cruz saw a community problem — fathers not getting fair treatment in child custody cases — and exposed it with a depth and detail that is impressive. Hopefully, her reporting will make a difference. The Hood County News deserves credit for devoting the resources and space to this important issue, which deserves intensive follow-up.
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• broadcast
Dawn Tongish, KDAF, “Dying for DNA: The Prostitute Program”
Well-done report on a cutting-edge program found only in Dallas. Good photography and sound bites capture the mood and danger of the prostitute's world that show why this program can be so important.
finalists: Robert Arnold, John Barone, KPRC; Michael Henrich, Ben Latham, KOKH
2. General News
• circulation over 50,000
Megan Rolland, The Oklahoman, “Budget Cuts on Our Schools and Their Impact”
Impressive collection and quality of stories on education. Stories of a school district replacing half of its teaching staff were especially interesting.
finalists: Chris Vogel, Houston Press; Paul Knight, Houston Press
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• circulation under 50,000
Kathy Cruz, Hood County News, “City Manager Fired”
Balanced and detailed work behind the firing of a controversial public figure. Cruz's story was so complete that an outsider reading it could understand and follow what was going on.
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• broadcast
Michael Henrich, Bill Dry, KOKH, “Blind Eye?”
Solid report of what appears to be a case of police departments passing the buck.
• circulation over 50,000
Megan Rolland, The Oklahoman, “Budget Cuts on Our Schools and Their Impact”
Impressive collection and quality of stories on education. Stories of a school district replacing half of its teaching staff were especially interesting.
finalists: Chris Vogel, Houston Press; Paul Knight, Houston Press
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• circulation under 50,000
Kathy Cruz, Hood County News, “City Manager Fired”
Balanced and detailed work behind the firing of a controversial public figure. Cruz's story was so complete that an outsider reading it could understand and follow what was going on.
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• broadcast
Michael Henrich, Bill Dry, KOKH, “Blind Eye?”
Solid report of what appears to be a case of police departments passing the buck.
3. Reporting on Open Government
• circulation over 50,000
John Estus, Paul Monies, Gavin Off, The Oklahoman, “DOB Records Controversy”
An eye-opening series that exposed how the state makes money by selling public record information. It all began with a request for a person's date of birth ... excellent reporting.
finalists: Jeff Prince, Fort Worth Weekly; Michael Baker, The Oklahoman
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• circulation under 50,000
Kathy Cruz, Hood County News, “City Spent $1 Million on Parking Lot”
When city council spent $1 million on a new parking lot without an open vote, Cruz jumped on the issue and held council members accountable. Well-written story that shows why we need the press as a watchdog to look out for the public's interest.
finalist: Bitty Reilly, The Alvarado Post
• circulation over 50,000
John Estus, Paul Monies, Gavin Off, The Oklahoman, “DOB Records Controversy”
An eye-opening series that exposed how the state makes money by selling public record information. It all began with a request for a person's date of birth ... excellent reporting.
finalists: Jeff Prince, Fort Worth Weekly; Michael Baker, The Oklahoman
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• circulation under 50,000
Kathy Cruz, Hood County News, “City Spent $1 Million on Parking Lot”
When city council spent $1 million on a new parking lot without an open vote, Cruz jumped on the issue and held council members accountable. Well-written story that shows why we need the press as a watchdog to look out for the public's interest.
finalist: Bitty Reilly, The Alvarado Post
4. Investigative
• circulation over 50,000
Betty Brink, Fort Worth Weekly, “Powder Keg of Arlington Heights High”
Solid investigative reporting uncovers attendance problems at a local high school and related fraud in reporting them. Inside education can be a tough subject “nut” to crack, but Brink shows it can be done through good journalism. A service to the public, this story deserves follow-up.
finalists: Kevin Krause, Ed Timms, The Dallas Morning News; James Drew, Steve McGonigle, Ryan McNeill, The Dallas Morning News
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• circulation under 50,000
Kathy Cruz, Hood County News, “It's a Mess”
Good work that explores all sides of the issue on the quality of the paving of streets in a new development. The ‘In Their Words’ adds depth to the story.
• circulation over 50,000
Betty Brink, Fort Worth Weekly, “Powder Keg of Arlington Heights High”
Solid investigative reporting uncovers attendance problems at a local high school and related fraud in reporting them. Inside education can be a tough subject “nut” to crack, but Brink shows it can be done through good journalism. A service to the public, this story deserves follow-up.
finalists: Kevin Krause, Ed Timms, The Dallas Morning News; James Drew, Steve McGonigle, Ryan McNeill, The Dallas Morning News
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• circulation under 50,000
Kathy Cruz, Hood County News, “It's a Mess”
Good work that explores all sides of the issue on the quality of the paving of streets in a new development. The ‘In Their Words’ adds depth to the story.
5. Opinion or Commentary
• circulation under 50,000
Kathy Cruz, Hood County News, “Justice for All Critical in Custody, Abuse Cases”
Well-written and reasoned editorial that addresses potential judicial bias against fathers when it comes to domestic abuse case decisions. Good example of newspaper fulfilling its watchdog role.
• circulation under 50,000
Kathy Cruz, Hood County News, “Justice for All Critical in Custody, Abuse Cases”
Well-written and reasoned editorial that addresses potential judicial bias against fathers when it comes to domestic abuse case decisions. Good example of newspaper fulfilling its watchdog role.
6. Green News
• circulation over 50,000
Chris Vogel, Houston Press, “Steamrolled”
This is a hard-hitting article that shows the kinds of environmental and health issues that have resulted from Houston's no zoning policy. Vogel looks at some of the many complaints filed and the usual no response or action from various government agencies. This is well written and documented.
finalists: Hailey Branson-Potts, The Oklahoman; Eric Griffey, Fort Worth Weekly
• circulation over 50,000
Chris Vogel, Houston Press, “Steamrolled”
This is a hard-hitting article that shows the kinds of environmental and health issues that have resulted from Houston's no zoning policy. Vogel looks at some of the many complaints filed and the usual no response or action from various government agencies. This is well written and documented.
finalists: Hailey Branson-Potts, The Oklahoman; Eric Griffey, Fort Worth Weekly
7. Opening the Books
• circulation over 50,000
Craig Malisow, Houston Press, “Prison Pays”
This in-depth look at the many shortcomings of the private prison system in Texas should be a must-read for all Texans, especially those in law enforcement. Well written and documented.
finalists: Craig Malisow, Houston Press; Randy Ellis, The Oklahoman
• circulation over 50,000
Craig Malisow, Houston Press, “Prison Pays”
This in-depth look at the many shortcomings of the private prison system in Texas should be a must-read for all Texans, especially those in law enforcement. Well written and documented.
finalists: Craig Malisow, Houston Press; Randy Ellis, The Oklahoman
8. Community Watchdog
• circulation under 10,000
Maria Eugenia Guerra, LareDOS, “Highway 79 Colonias Shortchanged by Developers”
Guerra uncovers a problem of roads in one neighborhood looking and riding like something found in a Third World country. She does a good job of explaining the history of the situation, how the buck has been passed between the developer and politicians, and the impact on residents.
finalist: Maria Eugenia Guerra, LareDOS
• circulation under 10,000
Maria Eugenia Guerra, LareDOS, “Highway 79 Colonias Shortchanged by Developers”
Guerra uncovers a problem of roads in one neighborhood looking and riding like something found in a Third World country. She does a good job of explaining the history of the situation, how the buck has been passed between the developer and politicians, and the impact on residents.
finalist: Maria Eugenia Guerra, LareDOS
9. Student Work
Hailey Branson-Potts, The Oklahoman, “Superfund”
Impressive effort shows the quality of work that college students can produce. The result is an important source of information about toxic dumps that should be of interest to all readers.
finalists: Andrew McLemore, Fort Worth Weekly; James Lucente, Taylor Adams, Meredith Shamburger, Steven Thompson, Christine Riccardi, Caroline Arbaugh, The Daily Campus, SMU
Hailey Branson-Potts, The Oklahoman, “Superfund”
Impressive effort shows the quality of work that college students can produce. The result is an important source of information about toxic dumps that should be of interest to all readers.
finalists: Andrew McLemore, Fort Worth Weekly; James Lucente, Taylor Adams, Meredith Shamburger, Steven Thompson, Christine Riccardi, Caroline Arbaugh, The Daily Campus, SMU
10. Online Project
Mark Lisheron, Texas Watchdog, “Waste Mismanagement in the Federal Stimulus”
This could serve as a primer for mining government records and what to do with what you find — share it with the public! Lisheron's tales of waste in the Texas Weatherization Assistance program is informative and cautionary.
finalists: Steve Miller, Texas Watchdog; Paul Monies, The Oklahoman
Mark Lisheron, Texas Watchdog, “Waste Mismanagement in the Federal Stimulus”
This could serve as a primer for mining government records and what to do with what you find — share it with the public! Lisheron's tales of waste in the Texas Weatherization Assistance program is informative and cautionary.
finalists: Steve Miller, Texas Watchdog; Paul Monies, The Oklahoman
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2011 Texas Gridiron Club Scholarships
Staley and Beverly McBrayer Scholarship
Nick Dean Baylor University
Nick Dean Baylor University
Donna Darovich Scholarship
Jonathan Resendez Texas Wesleyan University
Jonathan Resendez Texas Wesleyan University
Jack B. Tinsley Scholarship
Rob Boscamp Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
Rob Boscamp Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
Joe Holstead Scholarship
Nicole Sanseverino UT Austin
Nicole Sanseverino UT Austin
Al Panzera Scholarship
Casey Holder Tarrant County College
Casey Holder Tarrant County College
Gridiron Scholarship
Bryan Bastible UT Arlington
Taylor Cammack UT Arlington
Andrea Drusch Texas Christian University
Monica Nagy UT Arlington
Bryan Bastible UT Arlington
Taylor Cammack UT Arlington
Andrea Drusch Texas Christian University
Monica Nagy UT Arlington
Lina Davis Scholarships
Josh Bowe UT Arlington
Andrew Buckley UT Arlington
Dustin Dangli UT Arlington
J.C. Derrick UT Arlington
Maria Magga UT Arlington
Ashley Neesley UT Arlington
Shelby Weir UT Arlington
Shelly Williams Tarrant County College