ATLANTA – Scripps News has received the 2024 David Bloom Award for excellence in enterprise reporting for “Ukraine’s Stolen Orphans,” international correspondent Jason Bellini’s investigation into Russia’s systemic abduction of Ukrainian children. The Radio and Television Correspondents’ Association will present Scripps News with the award during the 2024 Congressional Correspondents’ Dinner on Sept. 12 in Washington, D.C.
Scripps News’ Jason Bellini introduced viewers to the innocent Ukrainian orphans who were abducted and sent to Russia. Scripps News shared the chilling images of the youngest orphans as they’re taken away — video now considered evidence in a war crimes trial.
Watch: “Scripps News Investigates: Ukraine’s Stolen Orphans”
“It is not often journalists get to witness the impact of their reporting in as emotional of a way as the outcome of this story,” said Linda Pattillo, deputy managing editor-investigative/global affairs for Scripps News. “The report sparked a new sense of urgency to rescue Denys, a central character in the forced deportation of Ukrainian orphans. After covering Denys’ story for more than two years, this year, Jason exclusively reported on Denys and his escape, when he was finally free to tell his story.”
Judges’ comments: “Scripps News’ inside look at the stolen orphans of Ukraine breaks new ground in reporting on Russia’s efforts to abduct and indoctrinate children amidst its war in Ukraine and provides a new, heartbreaking perspective on Russia’s invasion. Jason Bellini’s enterprising stories showcase dogged reporting from following the plight of an orphanage in Kherson, and in particular a teen taken from it and later discovered in Russian state video, to uncovering an orphanage of babies and toddlers taken from a church hide-out. The special provides a fresh, inside perspective on the efforts to locate the taken children in a unique angle to this war’s coverage.”
Additional members of the Scripps News team that helped produce this investigation include: Pattillo; Dmytro Horyevoy, producer; Scott McGhee, editor; Alex Brauer, editor; Max McClellan, senior executive producer, investigative; and Steve Turnham, Washington Bureau Chief and managing editor.
This is the fourth national journalism award for Bellini and the Scripps News team for the investigation into Ukraine’s orphans. “Scripps News Investigates: Ukraine’s Stolen Orphans” won a Deadline Club Award and a New York Press Club Award in May and a third-place National Headliner Award in April.
View all of Bellini’s reporting on the Russia-Ukraine War here.
The Radio Television Correspondents Association works to protect the rights and privileges of radio and television news reporters who are assigned to bring the news of the United States Congress to viewers and listeners across the globe and assist in every way possible to maintain the high standards of reporting by its members. The David Bloom Award honors the memory of the late NBC News Correspondent and is awarded for excellence in enterprise reporting.
Media contact: Molly Miossi, The E.W. Scripps Company, 513-977-3713, [email protected]
About Scripps News
Scripps News is the nation’s only free 24/7 broadcast news network, serving viewers opinion-free national and international news across the United States. Scripps News partners with the Scripps local station group to cover news from over 50 bureaus. Scripps News is available in more than 94% of U.S. television homes free and over the air with a digital antenna, on mobile with the Scripps News app and online at ScrippsNews.com. It is also carried on streaming platforms and services, including Samsung TV Plus, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Pluto TV, Apple TV, Sling, Vizio and Xumo. Scripps News is part of The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP).