2014 Journalism Prizes
Peter Baker: Reporting on the Presidency
Peter Baker, Chief White House Correspondent for “The New York Times,” has won the 28th annual Gerald R. Ford Journalism Prize for Distinguished Reporting on the Presidency. The $5,000 award recognizes journalists whose high standards for accuracy and substance help foster a better public understanding of the Presidency.
The 28th annual Gerald R. Ford Journalism Prizes for distinguished reporting in 2014 were presented by Foundation Chairman Red Cavaney and Foundation Trustee Carla A. Hills at the Foundation’s Annual Dinner on June 1, 2015 at The Capitol Hill Club in Washington, D.C.
When announcing their decision to award Peter Baker the Gerald R. Ford Journalism Prize for Distinguished Reporting on the Presidency in 2014, the judges issued the following statement:
“Throughout a year fraught with unexpected developments and challenges for the administration, particularly in foreign policy, senior White House correspondent Peter Baker was reliably consistent in providing analysis, historical context and behind-the-scenes reporting for readers of the New York Times. Drawing on his experience reporting from Moscow and covering three U.S. presidents, Baker was particularly effective in analyzing the repeated failure of U.S. attempts to influence Vladimir Putin. He also provided unique insight, from the administration perspective, on the unanticipated rise of ISIS and the administration’s subsequent and reluctant decision to send military personnel back to Iraq. Baker also demonstrated a seasoned flair for deadline reporting, exemplified by his comprehensive report on President Obama’s year-end announcement restoring U.S. diplomatic relations with Cuba. Baker’s work product reflects a wealth of named sources and balanced, even-handed attention to differing points of view. Baker also topped the Ford competition in 2007 and becomes the second (with Kenneth Walsh) repeat winner of the Gerald R. Ford prize for distinguished reporting on the presidency.”
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation sponsors the Gerald R. Ford Journalism Prizes for Distinguished Reporting on the Presidency and Distinguished Reporting on National Defense to recognize and encourage thoughtful, insightful, and enterprising work by journalists covering the presidency and national defense. The Foundation is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan corporation whose programs are supported entirely by contributions and bequests in an effort to honor President Ford’s sustained commitment to public service.
W.J. Hennigan and Ralph Vartabedian: Reporting on the National Defense
The team of W.J. Hennigan and Ralph Vartabedian, who report on national security issues for the Los Angeles Times, won the 28th annual Gerald R. Ford Journalism Prize for Distinguished Reporting on National Defense. The $5,000 award recognizes journalists whose high standards for accuracy and substance help foster a better public understanding of National Defense.
The 28th annual Gerald R. Ford Journalism Prizes for distinguished reporting in 2014 were presented by Foundation Chairman Red Cavaney and Foundation Trustee Carla A. Hills at the Foundation’s Annual Dinner on June 1, 2015 at The Capitol Hill Club in Washington, D.C.
When announcing their decision to award W.J. Hennigan and Ralph Vartabedian the Gerald R. Ford Journalism Prize for Distinguished Reporting on National Defense in 2014, the judges issued the following statement:
“Hennigan and Vartabedian reported on the erosion of America’s nuclear arsenal: dated technologies – some from the dawn of the Cold War – whose costs are rising simply because of their obsolescence; rusting pipes and leaking roofs in America’s missile silos, low morale and scandal in the missile corps; bloated profits by contractors; and the lack of a strategy to modernize the force. Through their well-crafted and well-researched articles, the reporters made a convincing case that this decline of America’s nuclear capability represents an existential threat to the nation’s security.
Hennigan and Vartabedian made a compelling case that, far from being a relic of the cold war, the need for a deterrent is growing with “Moscow’s aggressive posturing on NATO’s frontiers”; when “North Korea, Pakistan, India are all working quickly to improve their nuclear arsenals and delivery systems”; and when “China is expected to be capable of delivering a nuclear strike anywhere in the continental U.S.”. The reporters raised awareness of this issue at both the technological and policy levels and helped further understanding of the long-term threats that confront America. Although their stories were written in 2014, the issue remains in the headlines today as the United States negotiates with Iran on its nuclear program.”
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation sponsors the Gerald R. Ford Journalism Prizes for Distinguished Reporting on the Presidency and Distinguished Reporting on National Defense to recognize and encourage thoughtful, insightful, and enterprising work by journalists covering the presidency and national defense. The Foundation is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan corporation whose programs are supported entirely by contributions and bequests in an effort to honor President Ford’s sustained commitment to public service.
Gregory Korte: Reporting on the Presidency Honorable Mention
Gregory Korte, White House reporter for “USA TODAY” has won an Honorable Mention for the 28th annual Gerald R. Ford Journalism Prize for Distinguished Reporting on the Presidency. The award recognizes journalists whose high standards for accuracy and substance help foster a better public understanding of the Presidency.
The 28th annual Gerald R. Ford Journalism Prizes for distinguished reporting in 2014 were presented by Foundation Chairman Red Cavaney and Foundation Trustee Carla A. Hills at the Foundation’s Annual Dinner on June 1, 2015 at The Capitol Hill Club in Washington, D.C.
When announcing their decision to award Gregory Korte the Honorable Mention Gerald R. Ford Journalism Prize for Distinguished Reporting on the Presidency in 2014, the judges issued the following statement:
“In his first year on the White House beat, Gregory Korte of USA Today made a significant impact. By marshaling overlooked and untapped resources, including databases and websites, Korte generated unique stories that concentrated on administration actions rather than administration words. Following White House claims that the President was using executive orders less frequently than many predecessors, Korte carefully reported that the administration had used a similar, but lesser-known tool, the executive memorandum, more aggressively than any previous president. For his work, Korte has been awarded honorable mention for distinguished reporting on the presidency.”
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation sponsors the Gerald R. Ford Journalism Prizes for Distinguished Reporting on the Presidency and Distinguished Reporting on National Defense to recognize and encourage thoughtful, insightful, and enterprising work by journalists covering the presidency and national defense. The Foundation is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan corporation whose programs are supported entirely by contributions and bequests in an effort to honor President Ford’s sustained commitment to public service.
Dennis Wagner: Reporting on National Defense Honorable Mention
Dennis Wagner, senior reporter for “The Arizona Republic” and correspondent for “USA Today” has won an Honorable Mention for the 28th annual Gerald R. Ford Journalism Prize for Distinguished Reporting on National Defense. The award recognizes journalists whose high standards for accuracy and substance help foster a better public understanding of National Defense.
The 28th annual Gerald R. Ford Journalism Prizes for distinguished reporting in 2014 were presented by Foundation Chairman Red Cavaney and Foundation Trustee Carla A. Hills at the Foundation’s Annual Dinner on June 1, 2015 at The Capitol Hill Club in Washington, D.C.
When announcing their decision to award Dennis Wagner the Honorable Mention Gerald R. Ford Journalism Prize for Distinguished Reporting on National Defense in 2014, the judges issued the following statement:
“The National Defense judging panel awarded the honorary mention to Dennis Wagner of the Arizona Republic. The paper’s investigative reporting broke a series of stories on mismanagement at the VA that constituted a breach of the commitment made to those who served their country so well. Wagner’s stories made it clear that the promise made to military personnel of reliable healthcare upon their leaving active service was not being kept, and the impact drove political action by the President and Congress and forced accountability in the VA system.”
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation sponsors the Gerald R. Ford Journalism Prizes for Distinguished Reporting on the Presidency and Distinguished Reporting on National Defense to recognize and encourage thoughtful, insightful, and enterprising work by journalists covering the presidency and national defense. The Foundation is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan corporation whose programs are supported entirely by contributions and bequests in an effort to honor President Ford’s sustained commitment to public service.
About the Awards
Each year, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation awards two distinguished journalism prizes, one for reporting on the Presidency and the other for reporting on National Defense. These prizes, initiated in 1988, recognize reportorial excellence and the fostering of better public understanding of the presidency and national defense.
About the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation
The mission of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation is to enlarge President Ford’s legacy in a world that desperately needs his example of leadership and service. As author James Cannon wrote, “From its beginning American democracy has had the good fortune to produce a leader, often from an unexpected quarter, whose character and actions fit the tide of history. So it was on August 9, 1974, when this good and honest man, this obscure and stolid workhorse of a Congressman from the heartland of the nation, came to the rescue of the American government. To Gerald Ford was given the responsibility to move America from untruth to truth, from darkness to light.”
Visit the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation: www.geraldrfordfoundation.org.