The 2013 Sunshine State Awards have released their list of finalists in the running for Florida’s top journalism honors, which is open to all print, broadcast and online journalists in Florida.ย The competition recognizes quality journalism and is judged by out-of-state professionals.
Among the many categories, a few stand out as relating to politics, government and public affairs.
Nominated for best State/Local Election Coverage are Brendan Farrington, Associated Press; Miami Herald staff; and Jonathan Mattise, George Andreassi & Scott Wyland, Treasure Coast Newspapers.ย
Presidential Election Coverage award contenders are Ryan Little, Gary White, Jeremy Maready and Matthew Pleasant, Lakeland Ledger; Jim Stratton, Orlando Sentinel; and Derek Catron, Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Nominated for best overall Election Commentary are Mitch Perry, Creative Loafing; Adam C. Smith, Tampa Bay Times; and Eve Samples, Treasure Coast Newspapers.
The Government/Politics category includes nominees Brittany Wallman, Sun Sentinel; Thomas Himes, The News-Press; and capitol reporter John Kennedy, Palm Beach Post.
Florida’s best in newspaper-Affiliated Blog will be awarded to either Paul Brinkmann, South Florida Business Journal; Anthony Mann and Brittany Wallman, Sun Sentinel; or the Tampa Bay Times staff who run the widely read Buzz blog.
Winning the award for Journalist of the Year is Miami New Times writer Michael E. Miller for his work “Death Trap”; and winning the Gene Miller Award for Investigative Reporting are Sally Kestin and John Maines, Sun Sentinel, for their piece “Above the Law: Speeding Cops.”
Lakeland Ledger writer Suzie Schottelkotte will be awarded the Integrity Florida Award for Public Corruption Reporting for her piece “Money in Mulberry”; and the WLRN-Miami Herald News audio channel will be awarded for best Election Coverage.
Awards will be presented in July during a one-day conference hosted by the Society of Professional Journalists South Florida Pro Chapter.
