Niemans in the News

Thursday, April 24, 2008

C. Hale Champion dies at 85

C. Hale Champion, who in half a century of public service held senior positions in local, state and federal government and in academia, died Wednesday at 85. He was a member of the Class of 1957.

Mr. Champion was remembered by friends and former colleagues as a shrewd behind-the-scenes player with a strong intellect and a gift for cutting to the heart of complex matters.
Read more from The Boston Globe »
Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Marcus Brauchli Quits Wall Street Journal

The Wall Street Journal's top editor, Marcus Brauchli, Class of 1992, resigned on Tuesday, giving News Corp chief Rupert Murdoch an opening to further put his stamp on the newspaper he bought four months ago. "Now that the ownership transition has taken place, I have come to believe the new owners should have a managing editor of their choosing," Brauchli said in a letter to staff.
Thursday, April 17, 2008

Pennsylvania's Diversity a Challenge to Obama

"Bowling for Pennsylvania," a story by Gaiutra Bahadur, was featured as the cover story of the May 5 edition of The Nation. Bahadur is a member of the Class of 2008.

"Do people in checkerboard communities turn inward and away from one another, and does that make them more susceptible to campaigning that plays on racial and ethnic divisions?" she asks, referring to Barack Obama's chances in Pennsylvania, and perhaps against John McCain.
Read the full article on thenation.com »
Tuesday, April 15, 2008

McKim Recieves Two Awards in AP California-Nevada Newswriting and Photo Contest

Jenifer McKim, Class of 2008, was honored with two awards in the 2008 AP California-Nevada Newswriting and Photo contest, which celebrates the best print journalism of 2007 by AP members in the two states.

McKim was awarded the Sunlight Freedom of Information Award (jointly presented by the California First Amendment Coalition) for "Dying in Silence." She was also part of a team that won for Investigative Reporting (Circulation 200,000 or Greater) for "Justice by Geography." Both winning articles were published in The Orange County Register.
Read the full list of winners »
Monday, April 14, 2008

Six Fellows Recieve Sigma Delta Chi Awards

The Society of Professional Journalists announced Monday, April 14, the recipients of the 2007 Sigma Delta Chi Awards for excellence in journalism. Five Nieman alumni were among this year's winners, who were chosen from more than 1,000 entries in 48 categories including print, radio, television and online.
Sunday, April 13, 2008

How Do You Tell the Kids About Dr. King, RFK?

H. Brandt Ayers, chairman and publisher of The Annison Star and member of the Class of 1968, reflects on the 40th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s death. "...how do I tell how it was and what I thought it meant for the future of the country, how could I have explained that to young reporters on my staff at lunch, two of whom weren't born then?" he asks.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Mathatha Tsedu named industry Lifetime Achiever

Mathatha Tsedu, Class of 1997, was honored with the Mondi Shanduka 2007 Lifetime Achiever Award. “Tsedu is an editor whose paper still reports on rural communities' news, helping to keep the focus on issues of grassroots development often overlooked by the mainstream media,” said Guy Berger, Convenor of Judges. The Mondi Shanduka Awards honor and encourage excellence in a wide range of categories, from investigative journalism and breaking news, to feature writing, graphical journalism, and presentation.
Monday, April 07, 2008

Three Nieman Fellows Bring Home Pulitzers

The Washington Post swept the 2008 Pulitzers, taking home six of the 14 journalism categories — the most ever for the newspaper. Three Nieman Fellows were among those who contributed to this windfall.
Friday, April 04, 2008

Meldrum: South Africa’s 'Crucial Role' in Zimbabwe Crisis

After years of economic crisis and repressive leadership under President Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe looks poised for change. Andrew Meldrum, member of the Class of 2008 and former Zimbabwe correspondent for the Guardian, talks to the Council on Foreign Relations about potential options for the inner circle of Mugabe’s party.

Listen to streaming audio or download the podcast.
Thursday, April 03, 2008

Wilson Recalls Abduction in Lecture

Simon Wilson, BBC Middle East bureau chief and member of the Class of 2008, described the “biggest challenge of [his] career” — abduction of BBC correspondent Alan Johnston in the Gaza strip — and other experiences he has had while reporting in Israel, Iraq and Lebanon during a lecture at Dartmouth College Thursday, April 3.