The Baltimore Sun, The Wall Street Journal and a freelance columnist who now works for USA Today won top awards in the 2016 National Press Club Journalism Contest.

The Sun won the Breaking News Award for its coverage of the riots following the death of Freddie Gray, while Adam Entous won the Edwin Hood Diplomatic Award for the Journal for his stories on the erosion of relations between the United States and Israel. Jill Lawrence, now with USA Today, won the Lee Walczak Award for her freelance columns on the 2016 presidential candidates.

The Associated Press won a consumer journalism-newspapers award for its ground-breaking “Seafood from Slaves” stories about the fishing industry in Southeast Asia that resulted in the freeing of 2,000 slaves. Alexandra Petri of The Washington Post won the Angele Gingras Award for humor writing

The broadcast winner for consumer journalism was KDVR-TV in Denver for its look at widespread use of anti-inflammatory drugs on student athletes. ABC News’ Nightline won the Ann Cottrell Free Award for its look at efforts to stamp out wild animal circus acts in Peru.

The winners will be honored at an awards dinner at the National Press Club on Thursday, Aug. 4. Tickets for this event are available here.

NPC Journalism Contest - Winners



Breaking News -print : The Baltimore Sun for its coverage of the riots in the spring of 2015 following the death of Freddie Gray.

-print The Baltimore Sun for its coverage of the riots in the spring of 2015 following the death of Freddie Gray.

Consumer Journalism -newspapers : The Associated Press for its “Seafood from Slaves” stories about the fishing industry in Southeast Asia that resulted in the freeing of more than 2,000 slaves.

-newspapers The Associated Press for its “Seafood from Slaves” stories about the fishing industry in Southeast Asia that resulted in the freeing of more than 2,000 slaves.

Consumer Journalism -periodicals : ProPublica’s Paul Kiel and Annie Waldman for their coverage of debt collection lawsuits and their impact on minority communities.

-periodicals ProPublica’s Paul Kiel and Annie Waldman for their coverage of debt collection lawsuits and their impact on minority communities.

Consumer Journalism -broadcast : KDVR-TV of Denver for its coverage of widespread use of anti-inflammatory drugs on student athletes.

-broadcast KDVR-TV of Denver for its coverage of widespread use of anti-inflammatory drugs on student athletes.

Edwin M. Hood Diplomatic Award: Adam Entous of The Wall Street Journal for his coverage of the erosion of relations between the U.S. and Israel.

Adam Entous of The Wall Street Journal for his coverage of the erosion of relations between the U.S. and Israel.

Washington Regional Reporting: Franco Ordonez of McClatchy Newspapers for his reporting on problems at U.S. deportation centers for undocumented immigrants.

Franco Ordonez of McClatchy Newspapers for his reporting on problems at U.S. deportation centers for undocumented immigrants.

Arthur Rowse Award for Press Criticism -print : Mark Follman of Mother Jones for his coverage of how the media inspires mass shootings.

-print Mark Follman of Mother Jones for his coverage of how the media inspires mass shootings.

Newsletter Journalism: Corbin Hiar of Environment & Energy Publishing won for stories about the U.S. government’s trouble regulating oil and gas activity in its national wildlife refuges.

Corbin Hiar of Environment & Energy Publishing won for stories about the U.S. government’s trouble regulating oil and gas activity in its national wildlife refuges.

Ann Cottrell Free Animal Reporting Award -print : Justin Jouvenal of The Washington Post for his investigation of small-area zoos and problems with animal treatment.

-print Justin Jouvenal of The Washington Post for his investigation of small-area zoos and problems with animal treatment.

Ann Cottrell Free Animal Reporting Award -broadcast : ABC News Nightline for its coverage of wild animal circus acts in Peru and related problems.

-broadcast ABC News Nightline for its coverage of wild animal circus acts in Peru and related problems.

Joan M. Friedenberg Online Journalism Award: Michael M. Phillips of The Wall Street Journal for his coverage of a hostage situation in Alabama in which a 5-year-old boy was held in a bunker for days.

Michael M. Phillips of The Wall Street Journal for his coverage of a hostage situation in Alabama in which a 5-year-old boy was held in a bunker for days.

Sandy Hume Award for Excellence in Political Journalism: Rebecca Ballhaus of The Wall Street Journal for stories including her examination of how candidates raise and spend money.

Rebecca Ballhaus of The Wall Street Journal for stories including her examination of how candidates raise and spend money.

Angele Gingras Humor Award: Alexandra Petri of The Washington Post for funny columns on a wide variety of topics, from state flag designs to women’s versions of famous sayings.

Alexandra Petri of The Washington Post for funny columns on a wide variety of topics, from state flag designs to women’s versions of famous sayings.

Joseph D. Ryle Award for Excellence in Writing on the Problems of Geriatics: Shannon Mullen of the Asbury Park Press for reporting about the scandal-ridden guardianship system which often leaves older people robbed of cash and their security.

Shannon Mullen of the Asbury Park Press for reporting about the scandal-ridden guardianship system which often leaves older people robbed of cash and their security.

Michael A. Dornheim Award: W.J. Hennigan of the Los Angeles Times for a variety of strong stories on defense topics -- from pilots flying drones to flying in a U-2 spy plane.

W.J. Hennigan of the Los Angeles Times for a variety of strong stories on defense topics -- from pilots flying drones to flying in a U-2 spy plane.

Lee Walczak Award for Political Analysis: Jill Lawrence, now with USA Today, for her colorful freelance columns on the 2016 presidential candidates.

Jill Lawrence, now with USA Today, for her colorful freelance columns on the 2016 presidential candidates.

News Photo Award: Andrew Russell of The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review for his photo coverage of a young Ugandan girl disfigured by acid thrown into her face by her husband. The photo captured the scene with grace and dignity, the judges said.



NPC Journalism Contest - Honorable Mentions