Gottlieb, Vives are finalists for investigative award
Times reporters Jeff Gottlieb and Ruben Vives are among six finalists for the Goldsmith Prize for Investigative Reporting, for their work uncovering the salary scandal in Bell.
The finalists were announced Tuesday by the Joan Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. The winner will be announced March 7.
The Shorenstein Center noted that the Times investigation "exposed widespread corruption in the tiny city of Bell, leading to multiple investigations, eight arrests, multimillion-dollar refunds for taxpayers and greater transparency about government salaries across California."
The other finalists are:
Marshall Allen and Alex Richards, Las Vegas Sun
“Do No Harm: Hospital Care in Las Vegas”
Laura Sullivan and Steven Drummond, National Public Radio
“Behind the Bail Bond System”
Jesse Eisinger and Jake Bernstein, ProPublica; Adam Davidson, National Public Radio; Ira Glass and Alex Blumberg, Chicago Public Radio
“Betting Against the American Dream – The Wall Street Money Machine”
Karen de Sa, San Jose Mercury News
“Sponsored Bills in Sacramento”
Dana Priest and William Arkin, The Washington Post
“Top Secret America”
The Goldsmith Investigative Award finalists are a select, dogged, and respected lot. Even the most casual reader, having discovered a fine piece of investigative journalism, hungers for more and remains troubled to walk away.
Such is the story of the city of Bell, a patch of earth seven miles from the City of Angels. Hubris, venality, and self-absorbtion hallmarked this story, in every sense a cautionary tale impervious to caution. Shakespear's Henry V, confronted by betrayal, eloquently reminds, "Me thinks this another fall of man..."
The journalist, confronted by facts, circumstances, and a complicated pathway, must weave words into a compelling story, of insight and hope.
Writers Gottlieb & Vives will long be remembered for this, as well as their constant humility and perseverance.
March 7 shall be their day...
Posted by: James Corcoran | February 09, 2011 at 08:18 PM
My Best Wishes...... Good Luck!
Posted by: Manuel Delgadillo | February 10, 2011 at 11:57 AM
The Bell Stories are among the best investigative pieces I've ever read. Kudos to the Times and to reporters Jeff Gottlieb and Ruben Vives for reminding us all what good journalism is all about.
Posted by: Marc Ballon | February 14, 2011 at 11:12 AM