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Seattle Times Managing Editor Suki Dardarian visits with a UW journalism ethics student during an event on April 6 recognizing the one-year anniversary of the Times' Pulitzer Prize. Photo by Kristina Courtnage Bowman
Pulitzer-winning Times journalists provide insight on covering shooting of Lakewood police
April 6, 2011
Undergrads from Mike Henderson’s Introductory Multimedia Journalism class and Roger Simpson’s Journalism Ethics class got a sneak-peek into what it takes to be a successful journalist for The Seattle Times. The Department of Communication marked the one-year anniversary of The Seattle Times’ 2010 Pulitzer Prize win for breaking news reporting, and for its contributions to journalism education at the University of Washington.
Twelve Times journalists joined nearly 40 students at the Recognition Luncheon telling, from their perspectives, how they collaborated to cover all aspects of the tragic incident of November 29, 2009, when felon Maurice Clemmons gunned down four Lakewood police officers. Their tireless work earned The Seattle Times its eighth Pulitzer Prize for “its comprehensive coverage, in print and online, of the shooting deaths of four police officers in a coffee house and the 40-hour manhunt for the suspect,” cited the Pulitzer committee.
Kathy Best, managing editor at the Seattle Times, answers questions from UW journalism students during an April 6 event hosted by the Department of Communication. Photo by Kristina Courtnage Bowman
The luncheon began with a video, detailing the steps each journalist took in obtaining and vetting all information, including the name of the suspect, the details of the shooting, and the backgrounds of the fallen officers. Students asked questions throughout the luncheon — an opportunity few receive when it comes to Pulitzer Prize winners.
“Sourcing,” said Jennifer Sullivan, staff reporter, when asked how they learned the name of the suspect. “I called about 15 different police officers, and then one of my trusted sources called me at 2:45 a.m. saying they had him.” Sullivan said they ran Clemmons’ name by the police department to make sure they had the right guy. Another staff member then pulled up everything he could on the suspect. That’s when they learned of Clemmons’ connection to former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. In 2000, Huckabee commuted Clemmons’ 108-year sentence for felony burglary charges to slightly over 47 years, making him eligible for parole. He was set free in August of 2000.
Assistant Managing Editor Jim Simon said the Times’ coverage of the shooting was a perfect “example of how quickly you have to move in the new world.” With the vast majority of the population receiving their news online, the Times’ staff utilized tools like dipity.com, which creates a timeline to which staff added the newest information, making it easier for them to stay on top of the latest updates. They also created the hashtag #washooting on Twitter, so the community could stay informed.
Before the first print story had been published, the subject was being discussed on talk shows, Huckabee had been interviewed, and the internet was ablaze with community involvement.
The Times’ staff is a “distinguished example of local reporting for breaking news, with emphasis on speed and accuracy,” said David Domke, Chair of the Department of Communication. “You have done a wonderful job of being proud of your work, but also recognizing the realities of your subject matter.”
The Department of Communication thanks all Seattle Times staff members who provided this great opportunity for our undergrads: Ken Armstrong, Kathy Best, Tiffany Campbell, Mike Carter, Christine Clarridge, Suki Dardarian, Sara Jean Green, Mark Higgins, Steve Miletich, Erika Schultz, Jim Simon and Jennifer Sullivan.
