2012 Atlantic Journalism Awards Finalists
Attachments
| Slug/Label | MLA Pension |
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| Date Aired or Published | March 20th |
| Media outlet where first aired or published: | Daily Gleaner |
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Short explanation of the story and how it developed: Members of the jury, It’s the kind of story that makes people sit up and take notice. In fact, one of our competitors even started his day by tweeting about the “Dynamite story” we played on our front page on March 20, 2012. Shawn Berry’s revelation that former cabinet ministers were filing a human rights complaint over reductions to their pension elicited a wave of response - and it’s a story that left competitors once again chasing us to get on our story. While there was the obvious derision from those who think politicians make too much to start with, the discussion would evolve to raise issues about pension losses those in the private sector have suffered and complaints about special pensions awarded to some government supporters. While the story was straightforward, the road there wasn’t so simple. In a way, it is perhaps a tribute to the respect sources Shawn has cultivated over the years have for him. That’s how he first got the first hot tip about the complaint. Then he started digging for information and trying to confirm the details – something the Human Rights Commission wouldn’t do. Shawn eventually got a second source to confirm the tip a few days later. That’s when Shawn ratcheted up his digging. His knowledge of the story was so in depth that the group of retired politicians who filed complaints elected former finance minister Jeannot Volpé to act as their spokesman. Please consider Shawn Berry’s “MLA Pensions” in the Enterprise Reporting category. Sincerely, Anne Mooers Managing Editor The Daily Gleaner |
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Resources of the newsroom (money and time) available to complete the story: |
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