Mary Fricker, staff writer for the The Press Democrat, has won the 17th annual Lincoln Steffens Award for Investigative Journalism. The Lincoln Steffens Award is given jointly each year by the Sonoma State University Communication Studies Department and the Sonoma County Press Club. Lincoln Steffens was a muckraking reporter at the turn of the century who exposed corruption in government and industry.
Frickerís article on Workersí Compensation showed that workers are not always protected; that the ìsafety netî expected to be there isnít always there. Her article has sparked action by the California legislature.
ìThis year the entries showed a renewed commitment ot investigative reporting by local papers like the Napa Valley Register and the Press Democrat,î said Jonah Raskin, chair of the Lincoln Steffens Award Committee.
Second place this year went to Erin Allday and Kevin Courtney of the Napa Valley Register. Their story revealed the hardships and prejudice that migrant workers in the vineyards face. Third place went to Steve Heimoff of the Pacific Sun. His story on trauma care showed the consequences of corporations taking over hospitals and emergency room care.
Judges for the award were, Doug Campbell of the Sonoma County Press Club, Erik Cummins of the Herald Recorder, BenÈt Leigh of Sonoma State University, Jonah Raskin of Sonoma State University, and Marian Schinske of the Point Reyes Light.
The winners will be honored at the Sonoma County Press Club on May 21 at the Wine and Visitorís Center in Rohnert Park, (6 p.m.). Fricker will receive $300. Allday and Courtney receive the second place award of $75; Heimoff receives $25 as the third place winner.
For information, contact Jonah Raskin, 707 664-2507.
