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Last year's California Watch series detailing failures in the way that the state ensures the seismic safety of public schools was singled out for a special prize at this weekend's national convention in Boston of the journalism group Investigative Reporters and Editors. On Shaky Ground won the Gannett Award for Innovation in Watchdog Journalism, the only award not announced in advance by IRE. The award "recognizes the use of digital innovation in the gathering and/or delivery of watchdog and investigative news to its audience." From California Watch:
In announcing the award, Kate Marymont, vice president of news for Gannett's community publishing division, described the multiplatform series as "platform perfect."The California Watch series included a coloring book that helped children prepare for an earthquake, an iPhone app and a searchable database of an estimated 10,000 public schools showing their potential seismic safety hazards....
The “On Shaky Ground” team also picked up an IRE medal at the luncheon in the multiplatform reporting category. The medal, one of only two awarded by IRE this year, had been announced in April.
“This is an incredible honor and a big boost for our entire staff,” said Editorial Director Mark Katches. “When you think of all the amazing investigative journalism done in the United States last year, it’s extremely gratifying to be singled out for this work.”
