"The Sago Mine Disaster" garners top newsletter award from SPJ--a case study in investigative and advocacy journalism.The Society of Professional Journalists
The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ, formerly known as Sigma Delta Chi has awarded its Sigma Delta Chi Award The Sigma Delta Chi Awards are presented annually by the Society of Professional Journalists for excellence in journalism. History The Awards, according the SPJ, began in 1932 when the society chose six individuals for their contributions to journalism. for Public Service in Newsletter Journalism to Mine Safety and Health News for its coverage of the Sago Mine disaster The Sago Mine disaster was a coal mine explosion on January 2, 2006, in the Sago Mine (pronounced IPA: /ˈseɪgoʊ/) in Sago, West Virginia, USA near the Upshur County seat of Buckhannon. , in which 12 miners lost their lives in the aftermath of a January 2, 2006, mine explosion in West Virginia. The story behind the winning story is an instructive case study of both investigative and advocacy journalism by three women on top of their game. Not to mention that they also helped guide the mainstream media through the incident and its aftermath. Legal Publications Services Ellen Smith owns the 1991-founded Legal Publications Services in Pittsford, New York Pittsford may refer to two municipalities in the suburban area of Rochester, New York in the United States:
Melanie Aclander is an attorney and the legal editor for the newsletter. She has been covering the legal aspects of mine health and safety law since 1979, when she first worked for the Bureau of National Affairs BNA (The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc.) is a Washington, D.C.-based publisher of news and information on legislation, regulations, and court decisions for professionals in business and government. It is the oldest wholly employee-owned company in the United States. . Kathy Snyder is the Washington, D.C., correspondent for Mine Safety and Health News. She worked at the Mine Safety and Health Administration's press office for over 20 years, where she briefed the press on mining accidents, wrote speeches for the Assistant Secretary of Labor, and had helped direct FOIA (Freedom Of Information Act) A U.S. government rule that states that public information shall be delivered within 10 days of request. policy. "The Sago Mine Disaster" Legal Publications Services provided this account of the award-winning work. Ellen Smith conducted over 50 television and radio interviews during and after the disaster, providing much sought-after, non-biased, factual reporting on mine safety issues, laws, and the industry in general. Ellen was quick to put together a Q & A segment that appeared on the MSHN MSHN Mine Safety and Health News website and was updated several times each day as new questions were asked about Sago, MSHA MSHA Mine Safety and Health Administration (US government) MSHA Master of Science in Health Administration MSHA Mine Safety and Health Administration MSHA Maison des Sciences de l'Homme d'Aquitaine (French) , the rescue efforts, and mining policy. Copies of the Q & A were e-mailed or faxed to any reporter who asked for help. In addition, Ellen assisted reporters in negotiating MSHA's website and answering questions when reporters claimed that they could not get the MSHA press office to return calls. For a 2-week period, Ellen was available from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. for nationwide and world-wide interviews. Kathy Snyder also spoke with reporters while closely following and interpreting the breaking news. Her in-depth interview with several Sago family members, published in Mine Safety and Health News in April 2006, detailed their experiences during and after the emergency, including the miscommunication that left them believing 11 miners had been rescued, while officials knew otherwise. Most thorough coverage Kathy's coverage of the 3-day Sago public hearing in Buckhannon, West Virginia Buckhannon is the only incorporated city in Upshur County, West Virginia and is located along the Buckhannon River. The population was 5,725 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, it has reached a population above 7,500. ., was the most thorough among the dozens of news outlets assembled there. She continued to follow the investigation and related Congressional hearings throughout the year. Melanie Aclander kept track of MSHA's court fight, which forced the mine operator to allow the United Mine Workers of West Virginia to participate in the agency's accident investigation. The litigation An action brought in court to enforce a particular right. The act or process of bringing a lawsuit in and of itself; a judicial contest; any dispute. When a person begins a civil lawsuit, the person enters into a process called litigation. also upheld the right of the Sago miners who wanted the union to represent them during the investigation to remain anonymous. Melanie also spoke with radio and newspaper reporters giving them background information. Subscription to the bi-weekly Mine Safety and Health News is $525/year, renewals $625/year. Legal Publication Services, 888 Pittsford Mendon Center Road, Pittsford, NY 14634, 585-582-3211, fax 585-582-2879, www.minesafety.com |
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