It took brains, brawn and guts but our intrepid journalism contestants and fearless journalism judges did it: from dozens of entries from all over the globe we are pleased to announce the 10 finalists in the Ebyline/Editor & Publisher 100% Journalism Challenge.
These entries were selected for their journalism merit, inventive use of freelancers and overall originality and each journalist—the group includes publishers, editors, staff reporters and freelancers—will present their idea to our judges in early December. Up to three winners will be selected to share in the $35,000 prize, money that will be used exclusively to produce the journalism to make these projects a reality.
Thanks to all who entered and good luck to our finalists.
Masada Siegel—A freelance journalist with international experience for CNN, CBS, Reuters, The New York Times and others. Her project seeks to use freelancers to create an anthology about small acts of bravery and dedication that have changed lives all over the world with interviews of politicians, religious leaders and private citizens.
Richard Risemberg—A vice president of the GRID consortium. His project proposes an investigation into the container transport infrastructure along the I-710 freeway corridor in Los Angeles, one of the nation’s busiest, and plans to expand the freeway.
Peter Kiefer—Founder of digital news publication LAC Media. A comprehensive study on what urban living in Los Angeles will be like in 20 years based on interviews with public officials, planners, private businesses, citizens and extensive research of public and historical records.
Theo Karantsalis—A Miami librarian and freelancer for the Miami Herald and others. An expert in the use of Freedom of Information Act requests, proposes to grant funds to journalists with FOIA-centric reporting projects but limited means.
Hazel Sheffield—Assistant editor at the Columbia Journalism Review and member of Nomad Media Collective. Microsite covering New York City farmer’s markets with mobile component.
Joan Gralla—Reuters correspondent. Seeks to employ freelancers to cover US industrial accidents more comprehensively.
Joe Hight—Director of information and development at The Oklahoman newspaper. An investigative project to assess Oklahoma’s controversial new grading system for public schools using multimedia and interviews with locals and officials at schools of every rating.
Dana Chinn—Lecturer, USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Project would combine freelancers and USC journalism students for data mining project focused on business environment in South Los Angeles.
David Kraljic—CEO of Voteocracy. A breakdown and analysis of all bills currently before Congress.
Paul Glader—CEO and editor of Wired Academic, LLC. Proposal to create a microsite focusing on the revolution in online higher ed courses by reporting on every academic institution that offers them and creating a guide to online classes with user feedback.
