2007 NEAPNEA
Public Service Awards
Thomas K. Brindley Award
The Telegraph, Nashua, N.H.
Fair Share
Staff
Judges' comments:
"The Telegraph's series on Fair Share is an excellent example of how readers are the beneficiaries when a newspaper is dedicated to the values of plain, old-fashioned hard work and enterprise.
"There were several worthy candidates for this honor, but what set this apart is the sheer volume of readers who are directly affected by the information, a critical factor that often gets overlooked.
"The stories were meticulously reported and fair, and presented in a way that allowed readers both to understand what the data meant to them and what they could do about it.
"The package had just the right mix of numbers and narrative. Every community newspaper in the country can and should do this type of reporting, but few are willing to commit the resources.
"The Telegraph, based on this and other entries, clearly cares about the readers it serves."
Sevellon Brown AwardThe Hartford (Conn.) Courant
Mentally Unfit, Forced to Fight
Judges' comments:
"The depth of research and quality of reporting, writing and editing put The Hartford Courant's “Mentally Unfit, Forced to Fight” by Lisa Chedekel and Matthew Kauffman in a class of its own in earning the Sevellon Brown Public Service Award.
"The series examines the impact of mismanaged mental health screening for military personnel by showing its impact on service members and their families.
"The research is thorough and the storytelling gripping.
"Photographer Mark Mirko's images add weight and resonance to the package.
"The layout is spare yet includes thoughtful touches that enhance the story for the reader, including breaking the copy into chapters and adding a face to the series box each day, as the Courant's series puts a face on a troubling issue.
"The finest example of the series' impact comes in the follow-up story, which indicates the military has revamped its mental health screening policies.
Winners will be honored at the May 15 spring conference at The Boston Globe. Here's the program and registration.
The Telegraph, Nashua, N.H.
Fair Share
Staff
The Hartford (Conn.) Courant
Mentally Unfit, Forced to Fight
"The depth of research and quality of reporting, writing and editing put The Hartford Courant's “Mentally Unfit, Forced to Fight” by Lisa Chedekel and Matthew Kauffman in a class of its own in earning the Sevellon Brown Public Service Award.
"The series examines the impact of mismanaged mental health screening for military personnel by showing its impact on service members and their families.
"The research is thorough and the storytelling gripping.
"Photographer Mark Mirko's images add weight and resonance to the package.
"The layout is spare yet includes thoughtful touches that enhance the story for the reader, including breaking the copy into chapters and adding a face to the series box each day, as the Courant's series puts a face on a troubling issue.
"The finest example of the series' impact comes in the follow-up story, which indicates the military has revamped its mental health screening policies.
Winners will be honored at the May 15 spring conference at The Boston Globe. Here's the program and registration.