The Lowell Thomas Award 2012

Left to right: Brian Reed, Habiba Nosheen, Sebastian Rotella, Ana Arana

Best radio news or interpretation of international affairs

AWARD DATE: 2012

AWARD NAME: The Lowell Thomas Award 2012

AWARD RECIPIENT: Brian Reed, Habiba Nosheen, Sebastian Rotella, Ana Arana

AWARD RECIPIENT AFFILIATION: WBEZ’s This American Life, ProPublica and Fundacion MEPI

AWARD HONORED WORK: What Happened at Dos Erres

The judges were riveted as they listened to this compelling and beautifully narrated story of recent events and the violent massacre of more than 200 people in the village of Dos Erres in Guatamala more than two decades ago. In 2012 the discovery of a father, still alive, and his son Oscar Ramirez, an undocumented worker in the U.S., each of whom assumed the other dead in the tragedy, prompted reporter Nosheen and producer Reed to devote five months to researching the story, finding victims and perpetrators. As a result, Ramirez was granted political asylum in the U.S. and several implicated soldiers have been apprehended for trial.

Listen to the report >>

Citation for Excellence:
Kelly McEvers, Deborah Amos, Douglas Roberts
National Public Radio
Syria