Chicago Tribune, ProPublica Illinois and Southern California Public Radio have been named the winners of the 2020 Online News Association (ONA) University of Florida Award in Investigative Data Journalism. The $15,000 award, which honors high-impact data journalism that is exceptionally well presented, is the largest presented by ONA.

The Chicago Tribune and ProPublica Illinois were honored in the Large Newsroom category for The Quiet Rooms. This three-part investigation focused on an Illinois law intended to protect students from being locked away in stark rooms as punishment or physically restrained to get them to behave. The unlawful use of seclusion and restraint would have continued with impunity if this story had not uncovered the abuses and inspired sweeping, concrete change.

Southern California Public Radio took the top honor In the Small/Medium Newsroom category for Stuck: Inside California’s Housing Crisis. This data-driven story uncovered a shocking record of shoddy living conditions which targeted the poorest tenants and conditions so dangerous that they resulted in the death of an infant.

The winners, who will each receive $7,500, will be recognized at an online ceremony during the virtual ONA20 Everywhere conference on Oct. 16.

The award was established by a gift from the estate of Lorraine Dingman to the College in 2014. Representatives from the winning news organizations will engage with students and faculty as virtual journalists-in-residence to discuss their projects and provide information on investigative journalism techniques.

Posted: October 8, 2020
Category: College News
Tagged as: Online News Association UF Investigative Data Journalism Award