Best reporting in any medium on Latin America
YEAR: 2003
AWARD NAME: The Robert Spiers Benjamin Award 2003
RECIPIENT: Susan Ferriss
AFFILIATION: Cox News Service
HONORED WORK: “Broken Promises: How Economic Reforms Have Failed Mexico”
This series stood out among some very strong entries from Latin America. In 12 distinct but connected articles, Ferriss laid out in full how NAFTA has hurt Mexio’s coffee, rice, corn, maquiladora, and other workers and businesses. Corruption, lack of education, and anti-business laws all combine to make it hard for Mexico to compete in a free market. Unlike the European Union, the U.S. does not help a new partner create the infrastructure necessary to prosper. Ferriss delved deep, used many excellent sources, and wrote clear and thoughtful articles.
Citation for Excellence:
Alma Guillermoprieto
The New Yorker
“A Hundred Women”