The Washington Monthly Journalism Award - Brief Article

Washington Monthly, May, 2001

MARCH 2001

DUFF WILSON AND DAVID HEATH

"Uninformed Consent"

The Seattle Times, March 2001

In a five-part series, Wilson and Heath expose questionable research methods and practices at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, one of Seattle's foremost institutions. Without giving complete information on the risks, doctors at "The Hutch" recommended that leukemia patients participate in new, cutting-edge experiments. Unbeknownst to the patients, the doctors involved had a financial stake in any drugs which might have been generated from the experiments. Critics claim that the experiments continued well beyond reason, as patient after patient lost his Ii, prematurely.

STEVE BLACKLEDGE AND SUZANNE HOHOLIK

"A Whole New Game"

The Columbus Dispatch, March 22-25, 2001

A five-month investigation by the Dispatch reveals how the corrupting influence of big money on athletic competition is filtering down to the high-school level in Ohio. Blackledge and Hoholik expose the anti-academic agenda of the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA). Among the private, nonprofit organization's alleged offenses: its regulation of illegal player recruitment, its succesful fight against higher GPA standards for athletes, and the possibly unethical, even illegal, spending practices of its own employees. Bolstered by lucrative deals with equipment companies and shielded from public oversight, OHSAA's--$5 million fund balance makes it the richest state association of its kind and it sends more delegates to national conferences than any other state. Yet it claims to lack the necessary funds to investigate widespread complaints about illegal player recruitment.

THE MONTHLY JOURNALISM AWARD is presented each month to one or more newspaper, magazine, radio, or television stories (or series of stories) that demonstrate a commitment to the public interest. We are particularly interested in reporting that explains the successes and failures of government agencies at all levels and of other institutions such as media, corporations, unions, and foundations that contribute to the existence or solution of public problems. Please send nominations (including a copy of the article or broadcast text) to The Washington Monthly Journalism Award, 1611 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009. Or e-mail us at editors@washingtonmonthly.com. Nominations for stories run in April are due on May 1, 2001.