The Washington, D.C., chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists honored MarylandReporter.com Tuesday night at its Dateline Awards banquet, giving the online news organization first and second place in its new “blog” category.

The awards were for work published online in 2009. Judges awarded first place to Editor Len Lazarick for a package of five articles. Second place was given to MarylandReporter.com’s Associate editor Andy Rosen for his own package of five pieces. MarylandReporter.com began with a start up grant from Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity, national nonprofit journalism organization.

“The journalists at MarylandReporter.com have relentlessly worked to produce quality, accurate, unbiased news coverage and this recognition is well deserved,” said Franklin Center President Jason Stverak.  “Their work promotes transparency in the government and makes journalism better because of it.”

MarylandReporter.com is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation founded by Lazarick in September 2009 . By producing daily news coverage, MarylandReporter.org is committed to making state government as open, transparent, accountable and responsive as possible. The editors, reporters and contributors to MarylandReporter.com follow the Code of Ethics of the Society of Professional Journalists as a model of journalism.

To read more about MarylandReporter.com and the award click here

Founded in January of 2009, The Franklin Center is a nonpartisan organization that believes that new technology can advance the cause of transparency in government. The Franklin Center aims to educate, to advise and to train individuals and organizations from all backgrounds to become thorough, unbiased and responsible reporters well versed in new media techniques and journalistic integrity. For more information on the Franklin Center please visit www.FranklinCenterHQ.org.

If you are a reporter or a citizen journalist interested in getting involved in non-profit journalism, please email Info@FranklinCenterHQ.org. For more information on Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity please visit www.FranklinCenterHQ.org.

About the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity

Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity promotes social welfare and civil betterment by undertaking programs that promote journalism and the education of the public about corruption, incompetence, fraud, or taxpayer abuse by elected officials at all levels of government. Founded in January of 2009, The Franklin Center is a nonpartisan organization that believes that new technology can advance the cause of transparency in government. The Franklin Center aims to educate, to advise and to train individuals and organizations from all backgrounds to become thorough, unbiased and responsible reporters well versed in new media techniques and journalistic integrity. For more information on the Franklin Center please visit www.FranklinCenterHQ.org

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