Michigan Radio’s Believed podcast series has been recognized by Penn State University’s John Curley Center for Sports Journalism with its Award for Excellence in Coverage of Youth Sports. Believed, which was produced by Michigan Radio and NPR, provided an intimate look at how a team of women -- a detective, a prosecutor and an army of survivors -- won justice in the Larry Nassar sexual abuse case.
Also earning this award is USA Today, whose reporting focused on whether the U.S. Olympic Committee, the national governing bodies for individual sports, and the U.S. Center for SafeSport were equipped to prevent sexual abuse and misconduct in the future.
Michigan Radio reporters Kate Wells and Lindsey Smith were recognized for their exceptional reporting on the Believed podcast and the two years the pair spent covering the story as it unfolded. “There are few things journalists can do that are more noble than protecting the innocent,” said John Affleck, the Knight Chair in Sports Journalism and Society and director of the Curley Center. “Both of the series we are honoring this year do that in a powerful and effective manner.”
Michigan Radio takes great pride in the national attention and recognition the Believed podcast has received which has allowed this important story to be shared widely.
The Award for Excellence in Coverage of Youth Sports was established in 2009 to honor creative, in-depth and innovative coverage of youth and high school sports by broadcast, print and online journalists. These awards will be presented April 17 during a special event on the Penn State University Park campus.
The John Curley Center for Sports Journalism was established in 2003 as a first-of-its-kind endeavor in higher education. The Curley Center explores issues and trends in sports journalism through instruction, outreach, programming and research.
