The Society for Professional Journalism of Northern California has announced its annual awards “recognizing people and organizations who have made significant contributions to advancing freedom of information and expression in the spirit of James Madison, the creative force behind the First Amendment,” naming the North Coast Journal among the winners. It’s the third time in the last decade that the Journal has brought one of these home to Humboldt County.
This year the society singled the Journal out for its coverage of both the Cal Poly Humboldt protests in April and the university’s response, as well as reporting on the Measure F campaign and its connections to the defunct mystery deal for Eureka City School’s former Jacobs Middle School site. In its announcement, SPJ writes, “This small newsroom has established itself as a beacon of transparency that speaks truth to power in Humboldt County.”
Regarding the Journal’s coverage of the protests at Cal Poly Humboldt, SPJ says, “The staff of the North Coast Journal, led by news editor Thadeus Greenson, relentlessly shed light on how university administrators at Cal Poly Humboldt initially mishandled — and in several instances subsequently misled the public about — a high-profile student protest last spring. In the wake of the Journal’s reporting, the university’s president, Tom Jackson Jr., resigned.”
As for the reporting on Measure F and its attending mysteries, the SPJ writes, “Separately, the Journal’s reporting on a backroom property deal by Eureka City Schools and an undisclosed buyer revealed a prominent billionaire’s influence. Despite repeated attempts by school board officials to obscure the identity of their business partner, including plain violations of California’s Brown Act, the Journal revealed that real estate magnate Rob Arkley was involved in the deal. The reporting offered clarity about how money and power were wielded behind the scenes in a story that captivated the local community.”
We at the Journal could not be prouder of the work that earned this James Madison Freedom of Information Award, nor the production, sales and administrative staff whose efforts keep the lights on and the news coming to stands and screens all over Humboldt County. Find links to the coverage considered by the award judges below.
Cal Poly Humboldt Occupation
Cal Poly Humboldt Closed as Protesters Occupy Building
On Siemens Hall Hill
Campus Closed
‘False Narratives’
‘Regrettably Deficient’
‘The Shit Show’
Former CPH President to Focus on Global Engagement Space as Professor
Measure F/Jacobs Campus
Questions Swirl Around Jacobs Property Swap
Spokespeople Mum as to Who is Behind Mystery Offer for Jacobs Property Experts: Eureka City Schools Violated Open Meeting Law With Jacobs Property Swap
Without a Paper Trail
Eureka City Schools and the Muppet Man
Records Document Another ECS Brown Act Violation on Jacobs Deal
Grand Jury: Eureka City Schools Acted Hastily, Without Due Diligence Inadvertent Disclosure
Eureka City Schools’ $6 Million Deal is Dead
ECS Board Directs Staff Back to CHP on Jacobs Sale
VTY, Not Rob Arkley
No On F
This article appears in The Humboldt County Fair is at a Crossroads.
So proud of you all! Kudos, Thad
Congratulations! Well deserved
You’ve earned it! Frankly, don’t know how you keep up the pace and quality, but so glad you do.