WASHINGTON, D.C. April 28, 2003 — The Center for Public Integrity won two 2002 Sigma Delta Chi awards given by the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ).

Making a Killing: The Business of War, written by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), a project of the Center, won the Investigative Reporting (Independent) award. The series investigates the economics of conflict in the post-Cold War era and the groups who profit from the business of war.

The award for Public Service in Online Journalism (Independent) was made to “State Secrets: An Investigation of Political Party Money in the States,” written by John Dunbar, MaryJo Sylwester, Robert Moore and Leah Rush. The report is a nationwide investigation of political contributions made to state party committees—the soft money “back door” of American politics.

Charles Lewis, executive director of the Center, commented, “This is thrilling news. The work done on these two projects was extremely difficult and time-consuming, so it is gratifying to be recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists, an outstanding news organization.”

Lewis continued, “I want to congratulate everyone at the Center who worked on these wonderful reports, and of course, special thanks to our foundation donors who had the courage and vision to fund them.

“I am also very gratified that the Center’s International Consortium of Investigative Journalists—begun in 1997, now up to 84 of the world’s premier investigative reporters in 42 countries—has been honored for its brave, painstaking, across-border report on such an important, timely, global issue,” he noted.

Drawing on classified intelligence files, government reports, court records and public documents, Making a Killing: The Business of War identified the individuals and companies involved in the privatization of conflict, and explained how they often influence the turn of world events. The nearly two-year investigation, conducted by 35 writers, researchers and editors working on four continents, was published in 11 installments, and is now available in paperback.

“State Secrets: An Investigation of Political Party Money in the States” tracked the activity of 225 state party committees in 50 states, including contributions, expenditures and transfers. Records used to compile the report were collected from elections officials in every state as well as the Federal Elections Commission, and entered into an online database that allows users to search for information on contributors to state party and caucus committees, and expenditures made by those committees. The Center for Responsive Politics and the National Institute for Money in State Politics contributed to the report.

In a statement announcing the awards, Robert Leger, SPJ president and editorial page editor at the Springfield (MO) News Leader, said, “These awards honor the best in journalism. These journalists toldimportant stories, told them well and made a difference. They are an inspiration to all of us.”

The Center has now been honored 15 times since 1996 by either the Society for Professional Journalists (four times) or Investigative Reporters and Editors (eleven times).

Center reports previously honored by the SPJ are “Watchdogs on Short Leashes” (2001) and “Fat Cat Hotel” (1996).

The Center for Public Integrity conducts investigative research to uncover corruption and abuse of power by governments, corporations, and individuals involved in the political process. The findings of our investigations focus on issues that pose potential conflicts of interest among power brokers and governments.

The Center’s findings are published as reports and studies on the Web, and in book form and distributed to the widest possible audience.

The Center, which is a non-profit, nonpartisan, tax-exempt organization, was founded in 1989 by Charles Lewis, a former producer with the CBS television program, 60 Minutes.