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Beat Reporting

For a distinguished example of sustained, ongoing coverage by up to two reporters on a beat or topic of significant public interest, demonstrating originality and deep expertise, using any available journalistic tool, Fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000).
Year
Winners
Finalists
2026

Jeff Horwitz and Engen Tham of Reuters

For inventive and revelatory reporting on Meta that detailed the technology company’s willingness to expose users, including children, to scams and AI manipulation.
Finalists:
Nick Miroff of The Atlantic
Hamed Aleaziz of The New York Times
Nick Miroff of The Atlantic

Hamed Aleaziz of The New York Times

2006

Dana Priest of The Washington Post

For her persistent, painstaking reports on secret "black site" prisons and other controversial features of the government's counterterrorism campaign.
Finalists:
Barry Meier of The New York Times
Jerry Mitchell of The Clarion-Ledger, Jackson, MS
Barry Meier of The New York Times

Jerry Mitchell of The Clarion-Ledger, Jackson, MS

2005

Amy Dockser Marcus of The Wall Street Journal

For her masterful stories about patients, families and physicians that illuminated the often unseen world of cancer survivors.
Finalists:
Ronald Brownstein of Los Angeles Times
Dana Priest of The Washington Post
Ronald Brownstein of Los Angeles Times

Dana Priest of The Washington Post

2004

Daniel Golden of The Wall Street Journal

For his compelling and meticulously documented stories on admission preferences given to the children of alumni and donors at American universities.
Finalists:
Ellen Barry of The Boston Globe
Barton Gellman of The Washington Post
Ellen Barry of The Boston Globe

Barton Gellman of The Washington Post

2003

Diana K. Sugg of The Baltimore Sun

For her absorbing, often poignant stories that illuminated complex medical issues through the lives of people.
Finalists:
Cameron W. Barr of The Christian Science Monitor
David Cay Johnston of The New York Times
Cameron W. Barr of The Christian Science Monitor

David Cay Johnston of The New York Times

2002

Gretchen Morgenson of The New York Times

For her trenchant and incisive Wall Street coverage.
Finalists:
Patrick Healy of The Boston Globe
Jack Kelley* of USA Today
Patrick Healy of The Boston Globe

Jack Kelley* of USA Today

2001

David Cay Johnston of The New York Times

For his penetrating and enterprising reporting that exposed loopholes and inequities in the U.S. tax code, which was instrumental in bringing about reforms.
Finalists:
Virginia Ellis of Los Angeles Times
Rebecca Smith of The Wall Street Journal
Virginia Ellis of Los Angeles Times

Rebecca Smith of The Wall Street Journal

2000

George Dohrmann of St. Paul Pioneer Press

For his determined reporting, despite negative reader reaction, that revealed academic fraud in the men's basketball program at the University of Minnesota.
Finalists:
Robert O'Harrow of The Washington Post
David Cay Johnston of The New York Times
Robert O'Harrow of The Washington Post

David Cay Johnston of The New York Times

1999

Chuck Philips and Michael A. Hiltzik of Los Angeles Times

For their stories on corruption in the entertainment industry, including a charity sham sponsored by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, illegal detoxification programs for wealthy celebrities, and a resurgence of radio payola.
Finalists:
Barton Gellman of The Washington Post
Blair Kamin of Chicago Tribune
Barton Gellman of The Washington Post

Blair Kamin of Chicago Tribune

Keith Bradsher of The New York Times

Jason DeParle of The New York Times

Laurie Garrett of Newsday, Long Island, NY

1997

Byron Acohido of The Seattle Times

For his coverage of the aerospace industry, notably an exhaustive investigation of rudder control problems on the Boeing 737, which contributed to new FAA requirements for major improvements.
Finalists:
Craig Flournoy of The Dallas Morning News
Celia W. Dugger of The New York Times
Craig Flournoy of The Dallas Morning News

Celia W. Dugger of The New York Times

Alison Grant of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, OH

Fred Schulte and Jenni Bergal of Sun-Sentinel, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Michael J. Berens of The Columbus (OH) Dispatch

Tom Hallman Jr. of The Oregonian, Portland, OR

Jason DeParle of The New York Times

1994

Eric Freedman and Jim Mitzelfeld of The Detroit News

For dogged reporting that disclosed flagrant spending abuses at Michigan's House Fiscal Agency.
Finalists:
Joan Connell of Newhouse News Service
John Woestendiek of The Philadelphia Inquirer
Joan Connell of Newhouse News Service

John Woestendiek of The Philadelphia Inquirer

Jesse Katz of Los Angeles Times

Fawn Vrazo of The Philadelphia Inquirer

1992

Deborah Blum of The Sacramento (CA) Bee

For her series, "The Monkey Wars," which explored the complex ethical and moral questions surrounding primate research.
Finalists:
Russ Conway of The Eagle-Tribune, Lawrence, MA
Gregg Jones of Arkansas Gazette, (now defunct) Little Rock, AR
Russ Conway of The Eagle-Tribune, Lawrence, MA

Gregg Jones of Arkansas Gazette, (now defunct) Little Rock, AR

1991

Natalie Angier of The New York Times

For her compelling and illuminating reports on a variety of scientific topics.
Finalists:
Scott Harper of The Capital, Annapolis, MD
David Shaw of Los Angeles Times
Scott Harper of The Capital, Annapolis, MD

David Shaw of Los Angeles Times

Telegraphic Reporting - National
Criticism or Commentary