Staff Report
Published June 25, 2012

A Charleston Regional Business Journal report on the connections between contributions from political action committees and public stances by politicians won an award for investigative journalism from an international trade association in Milwaukee on Saturday.

Read Heavy Hitters The Charleston Regional Business Journal recently won an award for investigative journalism for a special report on the connections between contributions from political action committees and public stances by politicians.

Business Journal reporter Matt Tomsic and Creative Director Ryan Wilcox won third place for Heavy Hitters, a story published in August 2011 that explored donations from PACs supported by the Machinists union and the Boeing Co. to federal politicians representing South Carolina. Second and first place awards for investigative journalism went to Crain’s New York Business and Crain’s Chicago Business.

“Well reported, clearly written examination of the links between political contributions and public positions by both sides in the high-stakes struggle over the Boeing Co.’s plan to open a plant in the Charleston area,” the judges said about the special report. “Excellent use of public records.”

GSA Business, the Charleston Regional Business Journal’s affiliated publication in the Upstate, also won third place for best overall design during the awards.

The annual Editorial Excellence Awards from The Alliance of Area Business Publications recognizes journalism, photography and design from 61 members across the U.S., Canada and Australia.

“The purpose of the Alliance competition is to encourage a high level of journalistic performance and service to communities by recognizing editorial excellence and outstanding visual presentation in regional business publications,” said AABP Executive Director C. James Dowden.

The awards were judged by representatives of the Missouri School of Journalism.