Blake Ellis and Melanie Hicken from CNN earn James L. Galloway prize from Military Reporters & Editors
WASHINGTON, Oct. 26 — During its annual conference for journalists who cover the military, Military Reporters & Editors presented awards to the winners of the 2024 MRE Journalism Contest. Blake Ellis and Melanie Hicken’s entry published by CNN garnered MRE’s top honor as contest judges identified their series submission as the “best of the best” in print journalism.
Blake Ellis Biography
Blake Ellis is an award-winning investigative reporter for CNN. Her work has exposed everything from widespread sexual abuse in nursing homes to one of the longest-running scams in history. It has also
inspired legislative action and government investigation.
Ellis, and her longtime reporting partner, Melanie Hicken’s groundbreaking investigation into the secret world of government debt collectors won the prestigious Heywood Broun Award of Distinction and inspired lawmakers to take action with legislation aimed at closing the loophole highlighted in the stories. They were finalists for a Peabody Award for CNN’s coverage of guns in America, and the two journalists have been honored by the International Association of Broadcasting, the National Press Club, the National Endowment for Financial Education, the Radio Television Digital News Association and the National Association of Consumer Advocates. Ellis was also a recipient of awards from the Society of American Business Editors and Writers and the Newswomen’s Club of New York. Ellis regularly appears on CNN and other television and radio networks to discuss her investigations.
Melanie Hicken Biography
Melanie Hicken is an award-winning investigative reporter for CNN where her work has prompted government investigations and legislative actions. Hicken’s reporting has zeroed in on sexual and
financial abuse, preventable deaths in correctional facilities and police misconduct, among other issues.
Before joining CNN, she was a local government reporter for Los Angeles Times Community News, where her reporting contributed to the unseating of a city councilman, who later pled guilty to embezzlement charges.
Award Summary
Series on sexual misconduct in the U.S. Coast Guard
Prize Category: Joseph L. Galloway Award for Distinguished Journalism, Special — Named after UPI combat correspondent and McClatchy Newspapers columnist, Joe Galloway, this award is for the “Best of Show” and is given to one journalist or team entry across all print media contest submissions and includes a cash prize. It is Military Reporters & Editors highest honor.
Read the winning series
Additional Credit:
- Audrey Ash, CNN Investigative Producer (article 1, article 3)
- Pamela Brown, CNN Chief Investigative Correspondent (article 2, article 3)
- Curt Devine, CNN Senior Investigative Producer (article 2, article 3)
- Scott Bronstein, CNN Senior Investigative Producer (article 2)
June 30, 2023 | CNN.com
Article #1 Criminal investigation into Coast Guard Academy revealed years of sexual assault cover-ups, but findings were kept secret
August 8, 2023 | CNN.com
Article #2 Former Coast Guard head covered up secret investigation into sexual assaults at the Coast Guard Academy
https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/08/politics/coast-guard-sexual-assault-coverup-invs/index.html
September 21, 2023 | CNN.com
Article #3 He was investigated for sexting a student at the Coast Guard Academy. He’s now a college president.
https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/21/us/glenn-sulmasy-coast-guard-investigation-invs/index.html
November 30, 2023 | CNN.com
Article #4 US Coast Guard leaders long concealed a critical report about racism, hazing and sexual misconduct