DENVER — The Catholic Sun won first place for reporting on religious liberty and second place for www.catholicsun.org, among eight other honors during the June 19-21 Catholic Media Conference.
Joyce Coronel, Ambria Hammel and J.D. Long-García worked together for the first place finish in religious liberty reporting, which the judges said “did more than just cover rallies.”
“It connected it’s content among many freedom issues, including immigration and the Mexican war for religious freedom along with the HHS mandate and the Fortnight for Freedom,” the judges wrote.
Of the newspaper website, the judges wrote: “An orderly display of relevant stories keeps the visitor engaged and interested in clicking for more content.” The Sun’s blog was given an honorable mention.
Judges also noted Rob DeFrancesco’s editorial writing, giving him a second place for “Opposed to the death penalty,” and an honorable mention for “State and Church.”
“Interrelated contemporary events woven into a telling portrait,” the judges wrote of the piece on capital punishment. “Keeps a clear eye trained on eternal truth and our obligations therein. Punchy, but eloquent writing.”
Hammel and Long-García’s writing on famine and drought in West Africa also won recognition. They took home third place finishes for best online content not published in print and for newswriting on an international event.
Gina Keating and Long-García took home third place honors for their reporting on Arizona executions in the analysis category, also called the “Gerard E. Sherry Award.” “Great writing,” the judges said.
Long-García also won third place for in-depth special reporting for “Scars remain: Mother rebuilds life after domestic violence,” and received an honorable mention in the individual excellence/editor category.
The Catholic Press Association is a network of 275 Catholic publications from throughout the United States and Canada.
Earlier this year, The Catholic Sun received honors during the “Best of the Christian Press” awards in Indianapolis:
- Honorable mention for best regional newspaper
- Feature story award of merit for “Scars remain”
- Editorial honorable mention for “Opposed to the death penalty”
- News story honorable mention for “Family matters: Fear lingers in wake of Supreme Court SB 1070 decision”
- Photography honorable mention for “Daughters with undocumented fathers.”
