Minnesota Public Radio has won a a prestigious national award for its series of investigative stories into how the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis attempted to cover up abuse of children by priests. It is the first time MPR has received the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award, which is considered to be on par with a Pulitzer Prize.
"We are honored and grateful to receive the duPont Award," said Chris Worthington, MPR News' managing editor. "While the stories can be difficult to hear, it's important they be told. They were well-documented and carefully reported. We are proud of our journalism and community service."
Judges called the pieces "a heartbreaking, exhaustive investigation," one that "overcame the challenges rife in reporting this type of story."
Madeleine Baran served as the lead reporter.
Other winners announced Wednesday include Netflix, the Seattle Times, PBS and CNN.
