Celebrating 31 years of Excellence in Public Affairs Journalism
Frank Premack
Public Affairs Journalism Awards
Ceremony and Program
2008 Winning Articles
The Premack award winners honored for work produced in 2007 are:
Excellence in coverage of breaking news about public affairs (7 county metro): The Star Tribune and staff reporters are the winners of the metro breaking news award for “I-35W Bridge Collapse” published on various dates in August, October, and November of 2007. The coverage highlighted the aftermath of the I-35W bridge collapse, reporting on why the bridge collapsed and included multimedia elements, all of which provided the most complete coverage of the event.
Premack judges in this category said: “This entry was a model of comprehensive coverage. We were impressed by the breadth and depth of the information that was compiled in such a short period of time—some compiled just hours following the bridge collapse. The photography and graphics were eye popping and thought provoking. The editors in the newsroom did an extraordinary job in making it possible for writers and photographers to provide comprehensive, thoughtful coverage.”
George S. Hage Award for Excellence in coverage of breaking news about public affairs (Greater Minnesota): The Rushford Tri-County Record and staff reporters Ron Witt, Diane Luhmann, Beth Nelson, Darlene Schober, and Myron Schober are the winners of the George S. Hage Award for excellence in coverage of breaking news in Greater Minnesota for “The Flood of 2007” published in August and September of 2007. These articles were published in the first four weeks following the flood in Rushford and when the newspaper was without a newsroom. Staff members worked wherever they could to complete the issues, which were also instrumental in getting special assistance for flood victims.
Premack judges in this category said: “This series exemplified public service under the most extreme conditions. The articles were comprehensive and thorough, especially in lieu of the situation. The staff addressed not only what happened when the water rose, but what was not happening when the waters receded and what community leaders were trying to do. It filled a vacuum and helped move public policy—even causing state lawmakers to meet in a special session.”
Excellence in investigative or analytical reporting about public affairs (7 county metro): The Star Tribune and reporter David Schaffer are the winners of the investigative or analytical reporting award for “The Longest Cleanup” published on September 16, 2007. In this piece, Schaffer uncovered numerous hidden pockets of contaminated water in the Twin Cities communities. It showed that groundwater contamination isn’t treated as a whole issue, but rather as a string of isolated problems.
Premack judges in this category said: “This series showed that all the hotspots are connected, and that you have to start seeing them as one issue. This story really dug into the human element and was a precisely written piece without a moral or vindictive tone.”
Excellence in investigative or analytical reporting about public affairs (Greater Minnesota): The Post-Bulletin and Christina Killion Valdez, Jim Troyer, Jeff Kiger, Amy Liebl, Jay Furst are the winners of the award for investigative or analytical reporting in Greater Minnesota for “Broken Border” published on August 4, 2007. In this special edition, staff at the Post-Bulletin wrote multiple stories looking at many issues related to immigration.
Premack judges in this category said: “The story humanized the immigration debate and provided complete coverage for the Rochester community. The reporters wonderfully weaved personal stories with demographics and other statistical information.”
Excellence in opinion journalism (7 county metro): The online publication Minnesota Monitor and Paul Schmelzer are the winners of the award for excellence in opinion journalism in the metro area for “Who Owns the J-Word? Videoblogger’s Jailing Raises Questions for Journalists” published on April 8, 2007. In this piece, Schmelzer discusses the jailing of a freelance videographer and blogger who refused to hand over footage of a protest citing the “shield law” for journalists.
Premack judges in this category said: “This article was very timely—it raises important questions about a key piece of our democracy—the fourth estate. It asked ‘What is the future of journalism?’ and “What do we make of all these new voices?’”
Excellence in opinion journalism (Greater Minnesota):The Northeaster and Kerry Ashmore are the winners of the award for excellence in opinion journalism for Greater Minnesota for “The so-called “debate” over immigration” published on January 24, 2007. This piece discusses the history of immigration in the United States and discusses how politicians deal with immigration.
Premack judges in this category said: “This piece had a strong argument and challenged conventional wisdom and opinions. It gave respectful treatment to a controversial issue.”
Graven Award: The St. Paul Pioneer Press’s Bill Salisbury is this year’s Graven Award recipient. Salisbury, a veteran political writer, is a senior member of the Capitol Press Corps. The Board is honoring Salisbury for his consistent, accurate, thorough, and tenacious reporting at the paper.
Salisbury has covered politics and government for more than 30 years. The Pioneer Press hired him as a general assignment reporter in 1977 and assigned him to the state capitol bureau the following year. From 1994 to 1999, he served as the St. Paul paper’s Washington correspondent then returned to the state capitol bureau.
The Premack Memorial Board gives the Graven award each year to members of the journalistic community whose contribution to excellence in the journalism profession has deserved special recognition. It is named after David L. Graven, a close friend of Frank Premack, who served on the Premack Board until his death in 1991. |
