Knight Foundation President and CEO Alberto Ibarügen was awarded the Schieffer School of Journalism Ethics Award on Wednesday at Texas Christian University. This award recognizes individuals in journalism and strategic communications for their commitment to the highest ethical standards.

"Alberto Ibarügen could not be more deserving,' said John Lumpkin, director of the Schieffer School of Journalism. 'His career is a model for ethics in our profession. I can say that from the perspective of the Schieffer School and also one who knew Alberto professionally in my former assignment with Associated Press."

Tom Fiedler, former executive editor at The Miami Herald while Ibarügen was publisher, says "Alberto [created] a culture of ethical decision-making that permeated the newspaper.' Of course that included an absolute insistence that the newsroom place fairness to all at the center of its journalism.' And it also included an insistence on inclusion and diversity in hiring and in newsroom assignments ' so much so that during his tenure The Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald received numerous awards for having the most diverse news staffs in the United States, diversity that included race, ethnicity, gender and sexual identities.' To me, that bespeaks the essence of ethical leadership."

Read more about the Schieffer School of Journalism Ethics Award.

California Watch, a reporting initiative from the Center for Investigative Reporting, proved that its distribution model is working. '

Recently, California Watch released a report on California's public universities' slow approach to fixing buildings deemed a significant seismic hazard. Just a few days after the release, California Watch had added four new distribution partners to its list of more than 50 news outlets that have published or broadcast their content.

'Knight grantee Robert Rosenthal blogs about it here.

--Marly Falcon, Knight Foundation contributing blogger

The Knight Center for Environmental Journalism is awarding $1,000 to the journalist doing the most innovative environmental coverage.

If you've come up with a new idea that is changing the way environmental news and information is communicated -- if you are using social media or' iPhone apps.' to cover the environment or pioneering with a new economic model or type of coverage -- you are encouraged to apply.

To enter, fill out an application form.'The contest is looking for innovations that are actually being tried or experimented with. In no more than 1,000 words, write about your idea. Include three letters of recommendation. A panel of experts will evaluate the idea and determine the winner.

Applicants must submit a proposal by April 30, 2010 to the Knight Center via e-mail at ej@msu.edu or by mail to:

EJ Innovator of the Year Award

Knight Center for Environmental Journalism, Room 382

Communication Arts Building

East Lansing, MI 48824-1212

The winner will also receive an all expenses paid trip to speak about her/his idea at a conference in Michigan State University to celebrate the School of Journalism's 100^th anniversary the weekend of Oct. 22-24, 2010.

Frequently Asked Questions Q: What are you looking for in an entry?

A: We seek examples of new technology, journalism techniques or other innovative efforts that advance environmental reporting and the public understanding of environmental issues. It could be a new way of financially supporting environmental journalism.' It could be something that tells an environmental story that otherwise would not be told. It could be a new way of publicly reporting an environmental issue. It could be a new way of engaging people to help report credibly on the environment. It could be something else. We're looking for innovations and you may have tried something that doesn't fit into any neat categories.

Q: That's hard to envision. You got an example?

A: Hey, if it were easy there wouldn't be an award for it. But maybe this will give you a bit of the flavor: Last year journalism students at Northwestern University developed a measure of how green the Congressional elections were swinging as the votes came in. Something like that would have been given consideration if we had the award then.

Of course, if you figure out a new way to financially support environmental journalism, all of us win much more than this award.

Q: What don't you want?

A: This is not a contest for the best environmental news story of the year.

Q: Can it be an idea for an innovation?

A: No. It must be something that has been actually put to use between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31 of 2009.

Q: Must it be created by a news organization?

A: It can be. But we also encourage entries from people or organizations that are not necessarily affiliated with journalism. Anyone is eligible to enter.

Q: Can it be a Web site?

A: C'mon, we're looking for innovation. The Web has been around more than a few years. A Web site might be the delivery platform, but the winner will have to do more than simply report environmental stories online.

Q: What can I win?

A: $1,000 and a handsome plaque.

Q: Will this contest continue in the future?

A: We hope that it will be an annual event. A lot depends upon what happens this year and whether we can obtain funding to support this competition in the future. This year's contest is being supported by a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

Q: Will I win anything else?

A: Yes. Winners will be asked to discuss their innovation with students and faculty at Michigan State University's School of Journalism during the J-School's centennial celebrations the weekend of Oct. 22 to 24, 2010. All of your expenses will be paid.

--Marly Falcon, Knight Foundation contributing blogger