Shorenstein Center announces finalists for Goldsmith investigative reporting prize:

Six entries have been chosen as finalists for the 2003 Goldsmith Prize for Investigative Reporting, which is awarded each year by the Joan Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. The winner of the $25,000 prize will be named at an awards ceremony on March 11 at the Kennedy School.

The prize honors journalism which promotes more effective and ethical conduct of government, the making of public policy, or the practice of politics by disclosing excessive secrecy, impropriety and mismanagement, or instances of particularly commendable government performance.

This year’s finalists are:

Phil Brinkman, Dee J. Hall, and Scott Milfred
Wisconsin State Journal
“Corruption in the Wisconsin Capitol”
This ongoing investigation of illegal campaigning and fundraising at the Wisconsin State Legislature has prompted felony charges against the Legislature’s top leaders and a promise of reform.

Matt Carroll, Sacha Pfeifer, Michael Rezendes, Walter V. Robinson, Stephen Kurkjian
Boston Globe
“Crisis in the Catholic Church”
Globe reporters chronicled a burgeoning scandal that has seen dozens of priests stand accused of abuse. It is a scandal that has spread beyond the Boston Archdioceses to other states and countries. The series ultimately led to the resignation of Cardinal Law, once the nation’s most influential Catholic prelate.

Steve Inskeep
National Public Radio
“Oruzgan Raid”
Reporter Steve Inskeep uncovered a deadly mistake by the U.S. military in Oruzgan, Afghanistan, Jan. 24, 2002, which resulted in the deaths of at least 15 people and detention of 27.

David Cay Johnston
The New York Times
“Tax Cheats”
Johnston exposed numerous tricks used by companies to avoid tens of million of dollars in U.S. taxes each year. He also exposed accounting firm practices in which taxable profits were transformed into expenses that were then deducted on tax returns.

Brett Shipp and Mark Smith
WFAA-TV, Dallas
“Fake Drugs, Real Lives”
This series questioned the legitimacy of drug seizures made by Dallas police and their paid confidential informants. The report helped spur the dismissal of drug charges against more than 50 defendants.

Mike Wagner
Dayton Daily News
“Down on the Factory: Cheap Food, Hidden Cost”
The investigative team documented how neglect and passive oversight of megafarms is harming the environment and endangering public health.

Presentation of the Goldsmith Prize for Investigative Reporting, the Goldsmith Book Prizes and the Goldsmith Career Award for Excellence in Journalism. The Goldsmith Awards Ceremony, 8 p.m. March 11, ARCO Forum of Public Affairs John F. Kennedy School of Government, 79 JFK St.