IndyStar wins 'Story of the Year' for investigation of violence at bars
IndyStar’s investigation of violence at Indianapolis bars and clubs was awarded “Story of the Year” by the Indiana Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.
The award was one of 24 IndyStar received during SPJ’s annual Best in Indiana Journalism event Friday. Those awards included first place for investigative reporting, criminal justice reporting, arts and entertainment writing, sports photography and best online multimedia.
“Bad Bars,” a series written by Tony Cook, Alexandria Burris, Dayeon Eom and Ryan Martin with photographs by Grace Hollars and video editing by Isaiah Johnson, revealed how lax state enforcement and a law that hamstrings local officials contributed to an atmosphere of impunity at bars with a history of violence.
The series prompted reforms along with the closure of at least half a dozen bars. Judges called it “the kind of accountability journalism every community needs.”
It’s the fifth straight year IndyStar has won the contest’s “Story of the Year” award.
Among IndyStar’s other awards:
Investigative reporter Kristine Phillips won first place for criminal justice reporting for a story about how the man who prosecuted Sarah Jo Pender, once described as a female Charles Manson, no longer believes she is guilty.
IndyStar’s visual staff took first place for best online multimedia for “First to Act,” a short film that chronicles how Indiana became the first state in the nation to pass a law banning most abortions after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
Arts and creativity reporter Domenica Bongiovanni received the top honor for arts and entertainment writing.
Visual journalist Grace Hollars won first place for sports photography.
Other top awards included:
Journalist of the year: WFYI Reporter Lee V. Gaines, who invested the use of restraints and isolation in Indiana schools.
First Amendment Award: Indiana Public Access Counselor Luke Britt, the state’s public records and open meeting watchdog whose powers lawmakers curbed earlier this year.
Slaymaker Service to Journalism Award: Longtime media attorney Dan Byron, who played a key role in convincing Indiana courts to allow cameras in courtrooms.
Student Journalist of the Year Award: The enterprise desk of The Indiana Daily Student.
A full list of awards is available here.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IndyStar wins 'Story of the Year' for investigation of violence at bars
