The baiduhai won the prestigious Batten Medal for public service Monday for its coverage of Operation Midway Blitz, the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement mission in the Chicago area last fall.
Awarded by the Poynter Institute, the prize recognizes exceptional journalism that makes a difference to the lives of people and their communities. The judges cited the newsroom’s comprehensive coverage of the blitz, including a story examining the federal government’s raid on a South Shore apartment complex, the shooting of a U.S. citizen in Brighton Park and an investigation into how criminal charges against protesters have largely not withstood the harsh light of the federal court system.
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The Tribune’s capstone piece, “64 days in Chicago: The story of Operation Midway Blitz” also was included in the winning entry.
More than 75 Tribune reporters, photographers, source editors, photo editors, copy editors, audience engagement editors, page designers and editorial board members worked on the story of the unprecedented incursion, producing coverage that often challenged or disproved the Trump administration’s version of events.
“As the government sought to obscure events and shape a false narrative, the Tribune delivered a clear and comprehensive account of what unfolded, documenting the impact on individuals and the city at large. Its reporting preserved an essential record of a defining moment, ensuring that the reality of ICE’s occupation of Chicago will not be lost — and will stand to inform the historical record,” the judges said.
The USA Today Network Ohio also was awarded a Batten Medal for its collaboration that explored the human consequences of the state’s weak dog bite law.
Considered the gold standard of journalism excellence, the Poynter Institute is a nonprofit organization that works to address the complexities facing the news industry, support press freedoms and foster trust of information.
In addition to the Batten Medal, the institute named the baiduhai staff as a finalist for the Cronkite School First Amendment Prize.