Journalism Prize Winners for Reporting in 2011

The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation is proud to announce the Recipients for the 25th annual Gerald R. Ford Prize for Reporting in 2011. The award recognizes journalists whose high standards for accuracy and substance help foster a better public understanding of National Defense and the Presidency. This year, the award will be presented by Steve Ford, son of the late President Gerald R. Ford and Chairman of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, at a National Press Club luncheon in June. Following the presentation of the award, Chris Matthews will address the audience.

Scott Wilson, White House correspondent for The Washington Post, has won the 25th annual Gerald R. Ford Prize for Distinguished Reporting on the Presidency. The $5,000 award recognizes journalists whose high standards for accuracy and substance help foster a better public understanding of the Presidency. When announcing their decision to award Scott Wilson the Gerald R. Ford Prize for Distinguished Reporting on Presidency in 2011, the judges issued the following statement:

“Wilson is able to write critically without being offensive or partisan. He reaches out broadly to sources both inside and outside the White House, yielding an even-handed perspective on the performance and results of the Obama presidency He is equally at home with domestic and foreign policy, politics, and personalities. Wilson is adept at spotting a trend and explaining it,and his reportage frequently becomes the instantly-accepted wisdom in Washington.

Scott Wilson writes for the serious reader, and consistently meets that reader’s expectations. In every respect, the judges found his reporting on the presidency in 2011 outstanding.”

Corinne Reilly who reports on military affairs for The Virginian-Pilot, has won the 25th annual Gerald R. Ford Prize for Distinguished Reporting on National Defense. The $5,000 award recognizes journalists whose high standards for accuracy and substance help foster a better public understanding of National Defense. When announcing their decision to award Corinne Reilly the Gerald R. Ford Prize for Distinguished Reporting on National Defense in 2011, the judges issued the following statement:

“From this remarkable group of entries, the judges have selected Corinne Reilly from The Virginian-Pilot for the 2011 Gerald Ford Award for Distinguished Reporting on National Defense. Ms. Reilly’s poignant writing, which covered the NATO combat hospital in Kandahar, Afghanistan, was at once horrifying and riveting. None of the judges could put her work down once they started reading it.

The judges were impressed with the clarity of Ms. Reilly’s writing. Her straightforward, conversational style – largely without the flourish of adjectives – was nonetheless powerful and profoundly moving. The judging panel felt that her work helped foster better understanding of national defense issues and more than admirably met the Foundation’s criteria for quality, insightfulness, resourcefulness and brevity.”

Sean Naylor staff writer for Army Times has won Honorable Mention for the 25th annual Gerald R. Ford Prize for Distinguished Reporting on National Defense. When announcing their decision to award Sean Naylor the Honorable Mention Gerald R. Ford Prize for Distinguished Reporting on National Defense in 2011, the judges issued the following statement:

“For Honorable Mention, the judges selected Sean Naylor from Army Times. The panel felt that Mr. Naylor’s articles provided prescient insights into a volatile, dangerous and strategically critical part of the world. His in-depth research, excellent sources and ability to connect the dots provided important information on an area that has to date received relatively little attention in the press.”

The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation sponsors the Gerald R. Ford Journalism Prizes for Distinguished Reporting on the Presidency and Distinguished Reporting on National Defense to recognize and encourage thoughtful, insightful, and enterprising work by journalists covering the presidency and national defense. The Foundation is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan corporation whose programs are supported entirely by contributions and bequests in an effort to honor President Ford’s sustained commitment to public service.

For more information about the annual prize or previous winners contact: Joe Calvaruso, Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, 303 Pearl Street NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504-5353, (616) 254-0397, jcalvaruso@38foundation.org or visit our website at www.geraldrfordfoundation.org .