Colorado and Minnesota writers are first to do so

~Less than a year old, program’s flagship newsblogs compete against established news media and win top prizes for journalistic excellence~

Washington, D.C. (5-21-2007) – In less than one year, the Center for Independent Media’s (CIM) “New Journalist Program” is making history, as its fellows are the first bloggers to win prestigious Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) awards for journalistic excellence at SPJ’s annual conferences in Colorado and Minnesota.

“Both Colorado Confidential and Minnesota Monitor have shown that bloggers can excel at journalism, and provide their states with news and information critical to serving the public interest.  We’re honored to see the nation’s leading professional organization of journalists recognizing our Fellows’ work for its excellence,” said David Bennahum, CIM president. “We are very happy for the writers, editors and staff of these two fine programs. We look forward to our newly formed Iowa program to see the same success in the future.”

Colorado Confidential won seven SPJ awards, sweeping the Online Breaking News category:

1st Place Online Breaking News
Jason Bane and staff, Trailhead to Nowhere

2nd Place Online Breaking News
Staff, Primary Election Coverage, Multiple stories

3rd Place Online Breaking News
Wendy Norris, GOP Takes Legally Questionable Gift
from Oil and Gas Group

1st Place Blog
Jason Bane, Political Gravy

3rd Place Online Photo Story
Leslie Robinson, Hush, Hush and on the QT: Part II

1st Place General Web Site Excellence
ColoradoConfidential.com

2nd Place Online Interactive
ColoradoConfidential.com

MinnesotaMonitor.com’s Paul Schmelzer won a second-place SPJ award in the “Best Website Special Report” category for his story “One man, many votes: On owner-driven endorsements.” It’s the first time in the Minnesota awards’ history that an online-only publication has placed. Minnesota Public Radio won first place for its 2006 election season coverage.

The Center for Independent Media is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that fosters diversity of ideas in the national debate through the advancement of independent media, with a primary emphasis on online journalism. The center brings talented and diverse voices and ideas to the forefront through its fellowships, publications, conferences and research.  Programs emphasize the importance of citizen-driven journalism as a critical founding principle of our nation.  Program participants adhere to the highest standards of journalism and follow the code of ethics adopted by the Society of Professional Journalists.