The University of Oregon School of
Journalism and Communication announced today that nominations are now
being accepted for the 2012 Ancil Payne Awards
for Ethics in Journalism for outstanding ethical decisions or work
published in 2011. A hallmark for excellence in journalism ethics, the
annual award recognizes journalists and news organizations that have
demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to ethical conduct, even when
faced with economic, personal, or political pressure.
"In this digital age, when the lines of journalism are increasingly
blurred, it is even more important to recognize those who have
demonstrated extraordinary ethical fortitude and courage," said Tim
Gleason, Dean of the University of Oregon School of Journalism and
Communication.
"How ethical decisions about controversial stories are made and
reported - or in some cases, not reported - should always be at the
forefront of journalistic standards, for it is the core of what makes
media trustworthy. We are glad to honor journalists and news
organizations that are exemplars of ethics in our field."
In 2011, Ancil Payne Awards were given to The New York Times for its
handling and reporting of controversial materials by Julian Assange on
the whistle-blowing website WikiLeaks in 2010 and to Stanley Nelson,
editor of the Concordia Sentinel of Ferriday, Louisiana, for coverage of
the 1964 murder of Frank Morris, a black Ferriday businessman. The
Concordia Sentinel published a series of stories on the racially charged
murder and confronted significant pressure from local stakeholders who
urged the paper to ignore the decades-old case.
Also in 2011, Damon Winter, a photographer for The New York Times,
received a special citation from the awards panel for work documenting
the devastation and death in the aftermath of the January 2010 Haiti
earthquake - a situation which The New York Times "Lens" co-editor David
Dunlap described as one requiring journalists "to invent a code of
ethics on the spot." The staff of the student Yale Daily News also
earned a special citation for its coverage of a Yale student's
high-profile suicide in March 2010.
The Ancil Payne Awards accepts entries from news organizations and
professional and student journalists in broadcasting, print, or digital
media. Journalists and outlets can nominate themselves or be nominated
by a third party. Nominations for the Ancil Payne Awards are limited to
material published, broadcast, or posted in the United States, or
decisions made by journalists or news organizations based in the United
States. Nominations can be submitted online at
http://journalism.uoregon.edu/payneawards/forms_criteria and are due no
later than Feb. 27, 2012.
A panel of judges representing both the news industry and academia
will determine the 2012 Ancil Payne Awards winners. The awards ceremony
will be held on Thursday, May 17, 2012 on the University of Oregon
campus in Eugene, Oregon. Winners of the 2012 Ancil Payne Awards will be
announced in April 2012.
About the Ancil Payne Awards for Ethics in Journalism
Established in 1999 at the University of Oregon School
of Journalism and Communication by Seattle broadcasting legend Ancil
Payne (1921-2004), the Ancil Payne Awards for Ethics in Journalism honor
journalists and news organizations that demonstrate an extraordinary
commitment to ethical conduct, even when faced with economic, personal,
or political pressure.
Ancil Payne, a leader in Northwest broadcasting and lifelong
contributor to the arts, politics, and education, was CEO of KING
broadcasting and helped establish its reputation for and commitment to
ethical journalism. In creating the award, Payne envisioned a program
that would reward journalists acting with integrity and character,
restore public trust in the media, and inspire people to do good work.
About the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication
The University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication
(SOJC) produces outstanding writers, editors, digital media makers,
strategists, and critical thinkers by providing a program rich in
ethics, innovation, and social responsibility. Students hone their
skills while participating in award-winning student media such as Flux,
Mosaic, and Oregon News, and more than 10 student groups, including
Allen Hall Advertising, Allen Hall Public Relations and the National
Broadcasters Association. In addition to learning from an accomplished
and diverse faculty, students have unparalleled opportunities to network
and learn from experienced industry professionals. The SOJC hosts the
annual Journalists- and Executives-in-Residence programs, as well annual
events including the Ancil Payne Awards for Ethics in Journalism, the
Hulteng Conversations in Ethics, and the annual Johnston and Ruhl
Lectures. The school counts nine Pulitzer Prize winners among its more
than 9,000 graduates. journalism.uoregon.edu
