Record number of winners recognized in virtual ceremony

— By Jaci Clement, Fair Media Council; Published by Patch.com, Huntington

Huntington, NY, April 23, 2021 - In an online ceremony, the Fair Media Council Folio Awards featured a chat with the Newsday investigative team behind The Grumman Plume: Decades of Deceit, a five-time Folio Award winning multimedia story that proved to be the overwhelming favorite of this year's judges.

Hosted by Sukanya Krishnan and Scott Stanford of the Suki and Scott Show, with award presentation duties handled by WCBS Newsradio 880 news anchor Lynda Lopez and WNYW/FOX 5 news anchor Dari Alexander, a record number — 67 — of awards were presented to television, radio, online and print news outlets, and social media campaigns. The Newsday Grumman Plume earned a special spot Folio Awards history, with one story sweeping five categories: Robert W. Greene Investigative Reporting, Best Multimedia Package, Community Service, Environment News and Best News Special Report. CBS New York's Jennifer McLogan scored a personal best, landing six Folios in this year's competition.

Clement lead a conversation that took the audience behind the headlines in the Grumman Plume story — which told of contamination of Long Island's environment that had long been denied by the company responsible for it — with Newsday reporters Paul LaRocco and David Schwartz and Senior Multimedia Producer Jeffrey Basinger. The team detailed 10 months of work behind a story that is credited with jumpstarting remediation efforts. They also offered advice for student journalists.  

"It was an incredibly hard year for everyone, just to get through the pandemic," said Fair Media Council CEO and Executive Director Jaci Clement. "But amazingly, this year's Folio entries reflected the highest quality of work by news outlets and media creators that we've seen in the past two decades. That made for an incredibly robust competition, but it also denotes a greater force at play, which is this: Despite all the issues with a changing business model and working remotely due to the pandemic, news has found its groove. And that means we all win."

Also for the record books: More student winners than ever before, and more judges than ever before, which included the introduction of junior judges — students in the 4th grade through college. The Folio judging process provides the tools and techniques to pull apart news stories and foster critical thinking and deductive reasoning skills, to enable the judges to navigate today's complicated media landscape with ease. The judging process and the results bring to life FMC's mission: to advocate for quality news and to create a media-savvy society.

The Folio Awards was dedicated to two long-term members of FMC's Board of Directors, Northwell Health's Terry Lynam and Mazars' James N. Kinney, who was most recently chair. Both have retired. 

Major sponsors of the Folio Awards are Bethpage Federal Credit Union and Northwell Health, along with Mount Sinai South Nassau, St. Joseph's College, Hofstra University, Robert B. Catell, Edgewise Energy, and Mazars. Supporters included WSHU Public Radio, Long Island Business News, WLIW/WNET and the Scott and Suki Show.

The Folio Awards recognize quality news on the Long Island hyperlocal, New York metro regional and National news levels. Social media campaigns from anywhere are eligible, but must seek to inform, educate or inspire to qualify for entry. 

Next year's Folio Awards deadline is Feb. 1, 2022, for work completed in 2021.

The program was recorded and will be available on YouTube.  The complete list of winners is below.

Social Media

Best Podcast, Health & Welfare
Covid-19: Mindful Moments for Health Care Workers
David North & Andre Doughty, David North Media
Northwell Health 

Best Public Awareness Campaign
New York Sea Grant
Beach Safely
Paul C. Focazio, Communications Manager
Kathleen Fallon, Coastal Processes & Hazards Specialist
New York Sea Grant   

Campaign of the Year
Mount Sinai South Nassau
Behind the Mask
Mount Sinai South Nassau External Affairs & Development Departments
David Handschuh, Videographer, Spot On Productions

Best Use of Social Media by a Nonprofit
Barry and Florence Friedberg JCC  
#FriedbergFriends Our Story: Why do YOU Give?
Stacey Sweet, Director of Communications and Development, Producer
Lisa Goldschmidt, Associate Producer, Editor

Best Overall Campaign
ZE Creative Communications for Town of Hempstead
Raising America’s Largest Township Throughout The Pandemic
David Chauvin, Executive Vice President
Samantha Chillemi-Berenz, Manager of Operations and Special Events 
Greg Gordon, Director of Public Relations
Raffaella Tonani 

Best Community Service Campaign
ZE Creative Communications for Girl Scouts of Suffolk County
Girl Scouts of Suffolk County Smith Point Light Show Campaign
Christine Sammarco, Senior Account Executive
Maria Coscia-Montanez, Senior Manager, Media & Production & Social Media Specialist

Best Use of Social Media by a News Outlet
WLIW-FM 
WLIW-FM Studio Sessions
Diane Masciale, General Manager
Michael Mackey, Gianna Volpe, Brian Cosgrove, Ed German - Local Hosts
Kyle Lynch, Production
Delaney Hafener, Production & Administration Coordinator
Corey Holder, Senior Engineer


News Winners

Investigative Reporting (Robert W. Greene Award)
Newsday
The Grumman Plume: Decades of Deceit
Paul LaRocco, Staff Writer
David Schwartz, Staff Writer
Jeffrey Basinger, Senior Multimedia Editor

Best Multimedia Package
Newsday
The Grumman Plume: Decades of Deceit
Paul LaRocco, Staff Writer
David Schwartz, Staff Writer
Jeffrey Basinger, Senior Multimedia Editor

Community Service
Newsday
The Grumman Plume: Decades of Deceit
Paul LaRocco, Staff Writer
David Schwartz, Staff Writer
Jeffrey Basinger, Senior Multimedia Editor

Environment News
Newsday
The Grumman Plume: Decades of Deceit
Paul LaRocco, Staff Writer
David Schwartz, Staff Writer
Jeffrey Basinger, Senior Multimedia Editor

Best News Special Report
Newsday
The Grumman Plume: Decades of Deceit
Paul LaRocco, Staff Writer
David Schwartz, Staff Writer
Jeffrey Basinger, Senior Multimedia Editor
 
Feature Story
Newsday
American Gangster
Sandra Peddie, Staff Writer
Robert Cassidy, Executive Director
Multimedia, Raychel Brightman - Producer
Multimedia, Jeffrey Basinger - Senior Editor Multimedia

Coronavirus Pandemic Coverage
Newsday
Newsday Staff
Continuing Coronavirus Coverage

History Feature
Newsday
Soaring Success: In 1939, Port Washington's Place in Aviation History Took Off
John Hanc

History News
Newsday
Confronting a Crisis: How Long Islanders United to Fight an Epidemic in 1898
John Hanc

Nonprofit News Feature Story
PIX11
Blind Swimmer Life Changer
Keith Lopez, Video Journalist

Best Newscast
WCBS-AM Newsradio 880
The Morning After The Protests
WCBS News Team

Breaking News
WCBS-AM Newsradio 880
The Fury of Isaias
WCBS News Team  

Health News
Patch.com
Giving Blood In A World Of COVID-19: Long Island Man Tells His Story
Peggy Spellman Hoey, Editor

Religion (Msgr. Thomas Hartman Award) News
Patch.com
Good Shepherd Flock Moves Forward After Fire
Peggy Spellman Hoey, Editor

Immigration News
Documented
Coverage of Unaccompanied Immigrant Minors in the New York Area
Mazin Sidahmed, Co-Executive Director
documentedny.com

Coronavirus Pandemic Coverage
Documented
Community Driven Coronavirus Coverage for Immigrant New Yorkers
Nicolas Raos, Audience Editor
Kevin Dugan, Freelance Reporter
documentedny.com

Public Policy News
Dan's Papers
Shinnecocks' Cry for Protection of Unmarked Graves Finally Answered
Taylor K. Vecsey

Arts & Culture News
Dan's Papers
All Eyes on Bonac Blind: Art Sparks Vandalism & Conversation
Associate Editor David Taylor

Election Coverage
WLIW-FM 
Special Coverage of Election 2020
Diane Masciale - Host/General Manager
Kyle Lynch - Production Manager
Delaney Hafener - Production & Administration Coordinator
Joe Shaw - Express News Group, Panelist
Beth Young - East End Beacon, Panelist
David Rattray - East Hampton Star, Panelist
Joe Werkmeister - Times Review, Panelist

Feature Story
WLIW/WNET Thirteen
EMMANUEL ACHO UNCOMFORTABLE CONVERSATIONS WITH A BLACK MAN
Diane Masciale, Executive Producer, Local Production
Domenic Camia, Senior Broadcast Producer
Christina Timothy, Senior Broadcast Producer
Jack Ford, Host

Best News Special Report
WLIW/WNET Thirteen
THE FACE OF AMERICA'S GREAT SOCIAL DEPRESSION
Diane Masciale, Executive Producer, Local Production
Domenic Camia, Senior Broadcast Producer
Christina Timothy, Senior Broadcast Producer
Rafael Pi Roman, Host

Arts & Culture Feature
CBS New York
The Dig with Elle McLogan: Floyd Memorial Library
Elle McLogan, Digital Reporter

Education (Sean A. Fanelli Award)
WABC-TV
Student Challenges In-person Learning Guidelines
Kristin Thorne, Reporter
Anthony Saturno, Photographer

Weather, Boating & Coastal News
WABC-TV
Tropical Storm Isaias and the Power Outages that Plagued PSEG
Stacey Sager, Reporter
Joe Tesauro, Photographer

Continuing News Story 
Newsday
Thomas Murphy Continuing Coverage
Cecilia Dowd, Matt Golub, Howard Schnapp, James Carbone, John Roca and Greg Inserillo
 
Feature Story
Newsday 
Parachute Wedding Dress
Cecilia Dowd, Howard Schnapp and Mario Gonzalez

Community Affairs News 
Long Islanders Protest
Carolyn Gusoff, Reporter
Joe Garufi, Editor

Community Service News
Covid Nursing Staff Moves Into Group Home
Jennifer McLogan, Reporter

Continuing News Story
The Saga of Victim Thomas Valva
Jennifer McLogan, Reporter

Community Affairs News
Patch.com
Harlem Council Rep Clashes With Community Board Over NYPD Funding 
Nick Garber, Reporter

Health News
WSHU Public Radio
COVID-19 Brings DNA Vaccines To The Forefront
JD Allen

Immigration Feature
WSHU Public Radio
Everytown: The Hamptons
Charles Lane, Reporter 
Ann Lopez, Editor
Max Wasserman, Producer
 
Best Talk Show
WFAN-NY
Talking Golf with Ann Liguori
Ann Liguori, Host, Producer

Coronavirus Pandemic Coverage
WSHU Public Radio
COVID Support Groups Offer Place For Those With Ongoing Symptoms
Desiree D'Iorio

Environment Feature
Butterfly Mama
Carolyn Gusoff, Reporter
Joe Garufi, Editor

History News
Crew Working To Restore Roslyn Grist Mill Finds Historical Artifacts In Bottle
Jennifer McLogan, Reporter

Religion News (Msgr. Thomas Hartman Award)
The History Of The Underground Railroad Is Tied With AME Zion Church In Manhasset
Jennifer McLogan, Reporter

Science News
Save the Honeybees says Garden City Widower
Jennifer McLogan, Reporter  

Coronavirus Pandemic Coverage
Front Line Nurse
Carolyn Gusoff, Reporter
Joe Garufi, Editor

Business News
Long Island Print Shop Churning Out Thousands Of Cardboard Mets Fans To Pack Citi Field
Jennifer McLogan, Reporter  

Long Island Business News
Housing Crunch
David Winzelberg

Business Feature
Long Island Business News
The Year the Music Died
David Winzelberg

Coronavirus Pandemic Coverage
WRHU FM / WRHU.org Radio Hofstra University
Well Said - Coronavirus and Cancer Care
Ira Nash, M.D.
John Mullen
Stephanie Lin
Connor Pilkington


New York Metro 

Feature News
Able Newspaper
"The ADA - The Fight For Rights"
Angela Melledy, Publisher & Editor
Karin Falcone Krieger, Staff Writer

Education (Sean A. Fanelli Award)
Patch.com
Hundreds Voice Stories Of Racism At Queens Private School
Maya Kaufman, Reporter

Feature Story
Patch.com
Beset By Coronavirus, NYC Man Rides A Lonely Roller Coaster
Maya Kaufman, Reporter

Coronavirus Pandemic Coverage: Feature
Patch.com
Beloved Washington Heights Station Agent Dies From Coronavirus
Anna Quinn


Student Winners

Continuing News Story 
The Long Island Advocate
Hofstra University
Opioid Addiction on Long Island: A Multipart Series
Claire Blaha, Robert Traverso, Angelo Vansant, Alexandra Whitbeck, and Annemarie LePard

Feature Story
Hofstra University
The Hofstra Chronicle 
'Pencil and Jess': Puppeteering their way through the pandemic
Taylor Rose Clarke, Editor-in-Chief
 
Best Newspaper
Hofstra University
The Hofstra Chronicle  
The Hofstra Chronicle Staff

Best Special News Report
Charting the 2020 Election
Hofstra University - Hofstra Entertainment Access Television 
WRHU Radio Hofstra University, 88.7 FM 
Lawrence Herbert School of Communication

Weather, Boating & Coastal News (Student)
WRHU FM Radio Hofstra University
Hempstead Helps Puerto Rico Relief Effort
Eli Finkelson

Enterprise Reporting (Student)
NYIT
Manhattan Globe
COVID-19 Spurs Enrollment Drop at New York Tech
Ioannis Ioakidimidis, Lead Reporter
Nicole Miranda, Editor-in-Chief
Emily Peacock & Gabi Pineda, Copy Editors
Sedona Young, Web Editor
Larry Jaffee, Adviser

Election Coverage (Student)
Focus Democracy
Montclair State University
Montclair News Lab
Katie Cameron, Senior Producer
Michael DeMatteo, Senior Producer
Michael Banovic, Senior Producer
Grace Rowland, Anchor
Louis Biondollilo, Anchor

Coronavirus Pandemic Coverage (Student)
Black Lives Matter and Mental Health
Montclair News Lab
Givonna Boggans, Reporter
Montclair State University

History Feature (Student)
WSHU Public Radio
Slavery on Long Island: The History That We Forget To Remember
Brianne Ledda
Wilko Martinez-Cachero
Vaidik Trivedi
Taylor Beglane
Antonia Brogna
Katherine Hoey
Megan Valle
Isabelle Deslier
Gary Ghayrat
Margaret Osborne
Kiara Thomas
Felicia Lalomia

Community Service (Student)
WRHU FM Radio Hofstra University
Operation Kids Safe
Natalie Khait

Education Feature (Sean A. Fanelli Award- Student)
WRHU FM Radio Hofstra University  
Students Workin On Weekend Compete In Brain Bee
Rachel Luscher

Feature Story (Student)
WRHU FM Radio Hofstra University   
Wedding Venues Rally To Re-Open
Lauren Brill
Katerina Belales


More Info: New York Sea Grant

New York Sea Grant (NYSG), a cooperative program of Cornell University and the State University of New York (SUNY), is one of 34 university-based programs under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program.

Since 1971, NYSG has represented a statewide network of integrated research, education and extension services promoting coastal community economic vitality, environmental sustainability and citizen awareness and understanding about the State’s marine and Great Lakes resources.

Through NYSG’s efforts, the combined talents of university scientists and extension specialists help develop and transfer science-based information to many coastal user groups—businesses and industries, federal, state and local government decision-makers and agency managers, educators, the media and the interested public.

The program maintains Great Lakes offices at Cornell University, University at Buffalo, SUNY Oswego and the Wayne County Cooperative Extension office in Newark. In the State's marine waters, NYSG has offices at Stony Brook University in Long Island, Brooklyn College and Cornell Cooperative Extension in NYC and Elmsford and Kingston in the Hudson Valley.

For updates on Sea Grant activities: www.nyseagrant.org has RSS, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube links. NYSG offers a free e-list sign up via www.nyseagrant.org/nycoastlines for its flagship publication, NY Coastlines/Currents, which is published quarterly. Our program also produces an occasional e-newsletter, "NOAA Sea Grant's Social Media Review," via its blog, www.nyseagrant.org/blog.