The Florida Center for Investigative Reporting took home seven prizes from the Sunshine State Awards. The contest, sponsored by the Society of Professional Journalists’ South Florida Pro Chapter, recognizes the best journalism in Florida.
FCIR won two of the top prizes in the online division — best news website for fcir.org and independent blog for Ralph De La Cruz.
FCIR’s print and radio report about deportations to Haiti, “U.S. Deportees to Haiti, Jailed Without Cause, Face Severe Health Risks,” won in three categories — first place in photography story, second place in online package and third place in radio investigative. The project was the result of a partnership with WLRN Miami Herald News.
Another collaboration with WLRN Miami Herald News, “When Florida Fugitives Flee the Country, Justice Rarely Follows,” won second place in radio investigative and third place in newspaper feature reporting.