For Immediate Release:
Dateline: Indianapolis,
IN
Saturday, June 12, 2021
CONTACT: Lou Harry, SPJ Manager of Publications and Awards, 317-920-4786, lharry@spj.org
Ashlynn Neumeyer, Communications Coordinator, 317-361-4133, aneumeyer@spj.org
INDIANAPOLIS – Staff of the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at Arizona State University’s Cronkite News was named the 2020 MOEy Best in Show winner during tonight’s Sigma Delta Chi Awards presentation.
The staff was previously named the national winner for Online News Reporting in the SPJ Mark of Excellence Awards competition, which put them in consideration for the MOEy.
The staff earned the MOEy — the Society of Professional Journalists top student journalism award — for the entry, “Operation Agent Touch.” In this piece, the team investigated and reported on how the documentation by Homeland Security agents in government reports on sex trafficking led to the dropping of charges against suspects.
“This is a fantastic piece of investigative reporting,” national judges said. “The narrative is strong. The allegations are backed with documentation and a number of primary sources. A well-thought out and reported piece. The audio story is also nicely done.”
Each year, student journalists compete regionally in print, TV, radio and online categories. First-place winners advance to compete nationally and are eligible for the MOEy. The best in show award this year was chosen from more than 3,100 entries in the Mark of Excellence Awards competition.
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