As journalists, we dutifully report on what's going wrong, from scandals and corruption to natural disasters and social problems. But far too often the media fails to show the whole picture, neglecting to tell the stories of what is working. From scientific breakthroughs to successful crime-reduction initiatives, the What’s Working Honor Roll highlights some of the best reporting and analysis, from a range of media outlets, on all the ways people are working toward solutions to some of our greatest challenges.
The Post and Courier of Charleston, S.C. was awarded the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service in journalism on Monday. The small newspaper has a staff of just about 80 people and a daily circulation of 85,000, according to The New York Times. But it now has one more thing: the most prestigious prize in journalism. Not since the Bristol Herald Courier won in 2010 has the Public Service award gone to such a small daily. The winning entry, “Till Death Do Us Part,” is a series by Doug Pardue, Glenn Smith, Jennifer Berry Hawes and Natalie Caula Hauff on domestic violence in South Carolina and the extremely high death rate of women at the hands of their abusers. The investigative series highlights flaws in the court system, insufficient punishment for attackers, minimal police training and weak responses from lawmakers -- but it also highlights the stories of survivors and emphasizes what can be done to address the crisis. The Post and Courier's reporting looks at improvements already underway in identifying domestic abuse cases, spreading awareness, reforming the legal system, providing counseling, protecting children and ultimately getting women away from their abusers and back to safer and happier lives.
Recognizing a local paper for their efforts to make a real difference is #WhatsWorking in journalism.
Find the full list of 2015 Pulitzer winners here.
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If you know a story you think should be on our Honor Roll, please send an email to our editor Catherine Taibi via catherine.taibi@huffingtonpost.com with the subject line "WHAT'S WORKING."