Indiana Pro SPJ Awards Recognize WFYI Journalists For Outstanding Work During A Challenging 2020

Journalism, Podcasts, Social Media Recognized for Excellence

INDIANAPOLIS – WFYI Public Media journalists have earned more than a dozen "Best of Indiana" awards from the Indiana Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) for their work during the challenging year of 2020.

Reporters, editors and producers for WFYI were recognized by out-of-state judges selected by the organization for outstanding coverage across multiple platforms: radio, television, digital and social media.

First place:

• Carter Barrett: Print & Digital Coverage for “Equity And Public Health”
• Jake Harper: Radio In-Depth Reporting for “The Pandemic's Impact Inside Indiana Prisons”
• Hilary Powell (in partnership with The Indianapolis Recorder): Print & Digital Coverage for “Pandemic's Impact On The Indianapolis Community”
• Kyle Long: Best Podcast, for “Cultural Manifesto”
• Kyle Travers: Television Coverage of Minority, Diversity & Inclusion for “Move To Include - Katrina Kelly”
• Bryan Boyd & Gabrielle Steenberger: Television Coverage of Social Justice Issues for “A Difficult Task”
• Lauren Chapman, Doug Jaggers, Jill Sheridan and Eric Weddle: Best Use of Social Media for “Indianapolis Social Justice Protests”

Second place:

• WFYI & The Indianapolis Recorder Staff for the Television Special, “Where Do We Go From Here? A Community Conversation”

Third place:

• Hilary Powell (in partnership with The Indianapolis Recorder): Print & Digital Coverage for “Investigating Health Equity in Indiana”
• WFYI Staff: Print & Digital Breaking News Reporting for “Indianapolis Social Justice Protests” 
• Farah Yousry and Vinnie Manganello: Television Medical or Science Reporting for “Blood Sugar Rising: COVID-19 and Diabetes are a Dangerous Mix”
• Michael Husain and Jeremy Tatara: Television Criminal Justice Reporting for “No Harm - The Battle To Save IV Drug Users”
• Holly Edgell: Online Newsletter Award for “Side Effects Newsletter”

In addition, two new WFYI Public Media employees earned awards for work they completed before joining the organization. Dylan Peers McCoy, reporter earned first place for her education reporting at Chalkbeat Indiana. Lindsey Erdody, digital editor, earned first and second place honors for her work at the Indiana Business Journal.

The awards program, shown online, featured a tribute to WFYI reporter Jill Ditmire, who died in January 2021 at age 56.

You can watch the entire awards program on YouTube.

About WFYI Public Media

Since 1970, WFYI has served Central Indiana as a trusted friend. Its nonprofit public radio and TV stations, digital engagement and community engagement activities inform, entertain and educate Hoosiers of all ages and walks of life. WFYI broadcasts original content as well as programming from PBS and NPR. Learn more at wfyi.org.