Today, The Dallas Morning News announced numerous awards it received for outstanding journalism practices throughout the second quarter of 2013. The Morning News earned top awards at the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors (TAPME) Convention and the Texas Press Association (TPA) Summer Convention in a variety of categories including newspaper design, blogging, criticism, feature writing and photography.
"Winning best overall newspaper, plus a host of other awards, at the TAPME Convention was just the pinnacle of the successful second quarter our editorial team experienced," said George Rodrigue, managing editor at The Dallas Morning News. "Awards are exciting and nice to discuss, but our main duty is to deliver uncompromised truth for every important issue over a myriad of platforms. We accept these awards as a self-assured confirmation we are doing our job."
At the TAPME Convention in June, the Morning News received 16 first place awards, 10 second place awards, nine third place awards and five honorable mentions. Among those awards and acknowledgements were the following:
Star Investigative Report of the Year: First Place, Sue Goetinck Ambrose, James Drew, David Tarrant, "Watchdog: Medical Research-CPRIT"
Best Blog: First Place, Mike Hashimoto, Tod Robberson, Rodger Jones, DMN Opinion Blog
2013 Nancy Monson Freedom of Information Award: Reese Dunklin and Sue Goetinck Ambrose for their investigation into expenses accrued by UT Southwestern Medical Center's president, Dr. Kern Wildenthal
Editorial Writing: First Place, Tod Robberson, "The Obstacle of Poverty"
Features: First Place, David Tarrant, "Saving Sgt. Mills"
Feature Series: First Place, Diane Jennings, Selwyn Crawford, "Unknown Exoneree"
Infographics: First Place, Michael Hogue, Rob Schneider, David Moore, "Measuring NFL Franchise Success"
News Page Design by an Individual: First Place, Marilyn Bishkin, Portfolio
Feature Photography: First Place, Mona Reeder, "The Burden of Lead"
Sports Features: First Place, David Moore, "Tackling His Weight"
At the TPA Convention in April, three Morning News writers received special recognition:
Sports writer Barry Horn was awarded the 2012 Fred Hartman Award for Excellence in Sports Writing – his fifth time to receive the award since its inception in 1991. Horn was praised for his ability to find universal themes that even non-sports fans could be drawn to – ranging from profiles on college coaches to Olympic athletes. The award recognizes one talented sportswriter each year and suggests the title of best sportswriter in Texas.
Reporters Reese Dunklin and Sue Goetinck Ambrose were awarded the 2013 Nancy Monson Freedom of Information Award for their investigation into expenses accrued by Dr. Kern Wildenthal, president of UT Southwestern Medical Center. The award recognizes journalists and/or newspapers for investigative efforts that uphold First Amendment principles, improving awareness of government statutes and increasing public access to government.
The TPA Summer Convention was held June 20-22 in Houston and the TAPME Convention April 5-7 in San Antonio.
