Journalists Who Exposed Sexual Misconduct in the Workplace Presented with Free Expression Award

Today, the Newseum announced it will present the 2018 Free Expression Award to 13 journalists who represent the reporters who broke stories and silence about systemic and pervasive sexual misconduct in the workplace. Their work broke through a dam of suppressed stories and silenced voices to reveal decades-long harassment and abuse throughout the American workplace, including media, film, sports, manufacturing, the arts and Congress.

The tenacious reporting by dozens of journalists spurred resignations and firings of powerful men, and inspired hundreds of thousands of people to reveal their own stories of harassment and abuse on social media using #MeToo. Backed by the courage of the victims who spoke out, these journalists’ work inspired a movement for transformative change.

Accepting the awards will be journalists from The New York Times, for their major investigative reports on sexual misconduct across the media, film and other industries, including accusations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein and Fox News anchor Bill O’Reilly; The New Yorker, which was the first publication to disclose accusations of rape and sexual assault by Weinstein, as well as the elaborate machine that facilitated his behavior for decades; The Washington Post, which uncovered accusations of harassing behavior by CBS News anchor Charlie Rose, U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore of Alabama and others; and The Indianapolis Star, which investigated the systematic abuse of more than 100 athletes by the former doctor for USA Gymnastics.

The reporters accepting the awards include:

The Indianapolis Star

• Mark Alesia, investigative and enterprise reporter
• Steve Berta, investigations editor
• Tim Evans, investigative reporter
• Marisa Kwiatkowski, investigative reporter

The New Yorker

• Ronan Farrow, contributing writer

The New York Times

• Michael Schmidt, reporter
• Emily Steel, business reporter

The Washington Post

• Amy Brittain, investigative reporter
• Irin Carmon, Outlook contributing writer
• Alice Crites, research editor
• Paul Farhi, media reporter
• Stephanie McCrummen, national enterprise reporter
• Beth Reinhard, investigative reporter

The winners will be honored at a special awards dinner and reception at the Newseum on April 17, 2018. The event will be hosted by John Seigenthaler, award-winning journalist and former anchor and correspondent at NBC News, as well as the honorary host and steering committees.

Previously announced recipients of the 2018 Awards are:

• American Olympians Dr. John Carlos and Dr. Tommie C. Smith, whose brave act of protest for human rights at the 1968 Olympics still resonates 50 years later. Smith and Carlos shocked the world by bowing their heads and raising their fists on the medal stand to protest injustices against African Americans and people of color around the world. The athletes were banished from the U.S. Olympic team and faced death threats. Still, they remain devoted to the cause of freedom and justice.
• Arthur Sulzberger Jr., former publisher of The New York Times and chairman of The New York Times Company since 1997. Sulzberger will be presented the Lifetime Achievement Award for spearheading innovative print and online initiatives that have enabled The Timesto compete successfully in the global media marketplace while winning 60 Pulitzer Prizes and providing readers with innumerable examples of momentous journalism.

Now in their third year, the Free Expression Awards recognize those who exhibit passion for and dedication to free expression. Honorees have taken personal or professional risks in sharing critical information with the public, have been censored or punished by authorities or other groups for their work, or have pushed boundaries in artistic and media expression.

Individual tickets and tables are on sale now. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For information on sponsorship levels and benefits, please visit our website or contact Sergio Furman at sfurman@newseum.org or by calling 202-292-6289.