Latest news with #Abelson
Washington Post
14-04-2025
- Washington Post
The Post wins inaugural Peter F. Collier Award for Ethics in Journalism
We are thrilled to announce that The Post series 'Abused by the Badge' has won the inaugural Peter F. Collier Award for Ethics in Journalism in the National/International category. The award is administered by New York University's Ethics and Journalism Initiative and recognizes journalists that meet the highest ethical standards. The six-part series, which published between March and December last year, was the culmination of a two-year investigation by Jessica Contrera, Jenn Abelson and John D. Harden that found at least 1,800 police officers have been charged with crimes involving child sexual abuse from 2005 to 2022. In all, The Post published almost 20 stories as part of the investigation. No one had ever examined the scope of this type of police misconduct before. But Contrera and Abelson wanted to go beyond the numbers, to tell the stories of the children being hurt by these crimes and expose the systemic failures that have enabled predators with badges. They knew that meant talking to children about what they'd been through. Along with photojournalist Carolyn Van Houten, Contrera and Abelson spent two years traveling to big cities and small towns where officers had preyed on children. They met with young victims of abuse and had some of the most delicate and fraught conversations a journalist can have. With the help of editor Lynda Robinson, Contrera and Abelson navigated serious ethical challenges, making sure the children of abuse never felt pressured and always felt protected. The Collier judges praised their 'extraordinary care to protect the privacy and dignity of these young survivors and their families' and the way Contrera and Abelson ensured that they were 'prepared for their stories to be told publicly.' 'The Post's series was a model of transparency; it featured a story detailing responses it received from the law enforcement officers and agencies it named, as well as an additional piece explaining how Post journalists approached the ethical challenge of reporting on children who survived sex crimes.' The Post's team of more than 60 journalists included FOIA director Nate Jones, who helped seek public records on abuse cases; Hayden Godfrey, a fellow with the Investigative Reporting Workshop, who helped research hundreds of cases and their outcomes in the criminal justice system; designer Tucker Harris, who gave the series its signature design and visual power; senior video journalist Alice Li, who produced searing videos of a small Texas town betrayed by a predatory police chief; copy editor Christopher Rickett, who applied his rigorous eye to every story in the series; and editors Anu Narayanswamy, Tara McCarty, Courtney Kan, Robert Miller and Christian Font. See the full list of 2025 Collier Award winners and finalists here. Contrera, Abelson and Robinson accepted the award at a ceremony Thursday night at the Paley Center for Media in New York. Please join us in congratulating them and the entire Abused by the Badge team.
The Guardian
15-03-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Court lifts block on Trump order to end federal support for DEI programs
An appeals court on Friday lifted a block on executive orders seeking to end government support for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, handing the Trump administration a win after a string of setbacks from dozens of lawsuits. The decision from a three-judge panel allows the orders to be enforced as a lawsuit challenging them plays out. The appeals court judges halted a nationwide injunction from US district judge Adam Abelson in Baltimore. Two of the judges on the fourth US circuit court of appeals wrote that Trump's anti-DEI push could eventually raise concerns about first amendment rights but said the judge's sweeping block went too far. 'My vote should not be understood as agreement with the orders' attack on efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion,' Judge Pamela Harris wrote. Two of the panel's members were appointed by Barack Obama, while the third was appointed by Trump. Abelson had found the orders likely violated free speech rights and were unconstitutionally vague since they didn't have a specific definition of DEI. Trump signed an order his first day in office directing federal agencies to terminate all 'equity-related' grants or contracts. He signed a follow-up order requiring federal contractors to certify that they don't promote DEI. The city of Baltimore and other groups sued the Trump administration, arguing the executive orders are an unconstitutional overreach of presidential authority. The justice department has argued that the president was targeting only DEI programs that violate federal civil rights laws. Government attorneys said the administration should be able to align federal spending with the president's priorities. Abelson, who was nominated by Joe Biden, agreed with the plaintiffs that the executive orders discourage businesses, organizations, and public entities from openly supporting diversity, equity and inclusion. Efforts to increase diversity long have been under attack by Republicans, who contend the measures threaten merit-based hiring, promotion and educational opportunities for white people. Supporters say the programs help institutions meet the needs of increasingly diverse populations while addressing the lasting impacts of systemic racism. Their purpose was to foster equitable environments in businesses and schools, especially for historically marginalized communities. Researchers say DEI initiatives date back to the 1960s but were expanded in 2020 during increased calls for racial justice. In addition to the mayor and the Baltimore city council, the plaintiffs include the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, the American Association of University Professors and the Restaurant Opportunities Centers United, which represents restaurant workers across the country.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Injunction lifted on Trump executive orders slashing federal DEI support
An appeals court on Friday lifted a block on President Donald Trump's executive orders ending federal support for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs. A panel of three judges ruled the orders can be enforced during a pending lawsuit, reversing a nationwide injunction from U.S. District Judge Adam Abelson in Baltimore, the Associated Press reported. Two of the judges on the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the orders "could raise concerns" about First Amendment rights, but found Abelson's "sweeping block went too far," according to the report. Federal Judge Temporarily Stops Trump Admin From Firing 11 Intelligence Officers Assigned To Dei Programs Abelson, a Biden nominee, previously ruled the orders violated the First Amendment right to free speech and were unconstitutionally "vague," as they did not define DEI. The ruling followed a lawsuit filed by the City of Baltimore, the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, the American Association of University Professors and the Restaurant Opportunities Centers United, which alleged the executive orders were presidential overreach and anti-free speech. Read On The Fox News App They argued the president's power "is not limitless." Trump Scores Big Legal Win Against Pulitzer Prize Board Members As Lawsuit Moves To Discovery Trump's orders directed federal agencies to terminate all "equity-related" grants or contracts, and required federal contractors to certify that they don't promote DEI. The administration argued in court that the ban only affected DEI programs violating federal civil rights laws. "What's happening is an overcorrection and pulling back on DEI statements," attorney Aleshadye Getachew said in a hearing. While the president secured a win with the latest injunction, a similar federal lawsuit was filed in D.C. U.S. District Court on Wednesday challenging DEI executive orders including: "Ending Radical and Wasteful DEI Programs and Preferencing;" "Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government;" and "Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity." The second complaint was filed by NAACP Legal Defense Fund and Lambda Legal on behalf of nonprofit advocacy organizations. White House spokesman Harrison Fields told the New York Times that "the radical leftists can either choose to swim against the tide and reject the overwhelming will of the people, or they can get on board and work with President Trump to advance his wildly popular agenda." Fox News Digital's Brie Stimson, Danielle Wallace, and The Associated Press contributed to this article source: Injunction lifted on Trump executive orders slashing federal DEI support
CBS News
15-03-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Appeals court rules Trump can implement anti-DEI executive orders for now
An appeals court on Friday lifted a block on executive orders seeking to end government support for diversity, equity and inclusion programs, handing the Trump administration a win after a string of setbacks defending President Trump's agenda from dozens of lawsuits. The decision from a three-judge panel allows the orders to be enforced as a lawsuit challenging them plays out. The appeals court judges halted a nationwide injunction from U.S. District Judge Adam Abelson in Baltimore. Two of the judges on the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals wrote that Mr. Trump's anti-DEI push could eventually raise concerns about First Amendment rights but said Abelson's sweeping block went too far. "My vote should not be understood as agreement with the orders' attack on efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion," Judge Pamela Harris wrote. Two of the panel's members were appointed by former President Barack Obama, while the third was appointed by Mr. Trump. Abelson had found the orders likely violated free-speech rights and are unconstitutionally vague since they don't have a specific definition of DEI. Mr. Trump signed an order his first day in office directing federal agencies to terminate all "equity-related" grants or contracts. He signed a follow-up order requiring federal contractors to certify that they don't promote DEI. The city of Baltimore and other groups sued the Trump administration, arguing the executive orders are an unconstitutional overreach of presidential authority. The Justice Department has argued that the president was targeting only DEI programs that violate federal civil rights laws. Government attorneys said the administration should be able to align federal spending with the president's priorities. Abelson, who was nominated by Democratic President Joe Biden, agreed with the plaintiffs that the executive orders discourage businesses, organizations and public entities from openly supporting diversity, equity and inclusion. Efforts to increase diversity have long been under attack by Republicans who contend the measures threaten merit-based hiring, promotion and educational opportunities for white people. Supporters say the programs help institutions meet the needs of increasingly diverse populations while addressing the lasting impacts of systemic racism. Their purpose was to foster equitable environments in businesses and schools, especially for historically marginalized communities. Researchers say DEI initiatives date back to the 1960s but they expanded in 2020 during increased calls for racial justice. In addition to the mayor and the Baltimore City Council, the plaintiffs include the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, the American Association of University Professors and the Restaurant Opportunities Centers United, which represents restaurant workers across the country.
Boston Globe
15-03-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Appeals court lifts blocks on Trump's orders restricting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs
'My vote should not be understood as agreement with the orders' attack on efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion,' Judge Pamela Harris wrote. Two of the panel's members were appointed by President Barack Obama, while the third was appointed by Trump. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Abelson had found the orders likely violated free-speech rights and are unconstitutionally vague since they don't have a specific definition of DEI. Advertisement Trump signed an order his first day in office directing federal agencies to terminate all 'equity-related' grants or contracts. He signed a follow-up order requiring federal contractors to certify that they don't promote DEI. The city of Baltimore and other groups sued the Trump administration, arguing the executive orders are an unconstitutional overreach of presidential authority. The Justice Department has argued that the president was targeting only DEI programs that violate federal civil rights laws. Government attorneys said the administration should be able to align federal spending with the president's priorities. Abelson, who was nominated by Democratic President Joe Biden, agreed with the plaintiffs that the executive orders discourage businesses, organizations and public entities from openly supporting diversity, equity and inclusion. Efforts to increase diversity long have been under attack by Republicans who contend the measures threaten merit-based hiring, promotion and educational opportunities for white people. Supporters say the programs help institutions meet the needs of increasingly diverse populations while addressing the lasting impacts of systemic racism. Their purpose was to foster equitable environments in businesses and schools, especially for historically marginalized communities. Researchers say DEI initiatives date back to the 1960s but they expanded in 2020 during increased calls for racial justice. Advertisement In addition to the mayor and the Baltimore City Council, the plaintiffs include the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, the American Association of University Professors and the Restaurant Opportunities Centers United, which represents restaurant workers across the country. Associated Press writer Lea Skene contributed to this story.
