Finalist: The Philadelphia Inquirer , by Staff
For a 15-month investigation by Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steele of "rifle shot" provisions in the Tax Reform Act of 1986, a series which aroused such widespread public indignation that Congress subsequently rejected proposals giving special tax breaks to many politically connected individuals and businesses.
Winners
Prize Winner in Public Service in 1989:
Anchorage Daily News
For reporting about the high incidence of alcoholism and suicide among native Alaskans in a series that focused attention on their despair and resulted in various reforms.
Public Service
Finalists
Nominated as finalists in Public Service in 1989:
Staff
For its campaign urging reform of the state's public education system, which helped prompt legislation initiating change.
Staff
For an investigation by Bill Dedman of the racial discrimination practiced by lending institutions in Atlanta, reporting which led to significant reforms in those policies.
The Jury
The Jury
John Seigenthaler(Chair)
Chairman, Editor and Publisher, The Tennessean; Editorial Director, USA Today
Jay Ambrose
Executive Editor, Rocky Mountain News
Mary Dedinsky
Managing Editor, Chicago Sun-Times
William Hilliard
Editor, The Oregonian
Edward K. Shanahan
Managing Editor, Torrington (Conn.) Register Citizen
Winners in Public Service
The Charlotte Observer
For revealing misuse of funds by the PTL television ministry through persistent coverage conducted in the face of a massive campaign by PTL to discredit the newspaper.
The Pittsburgh Press
For reporting by Andrew Schneider and Matthew Brelis, which revealed the inadequacy of the FAA's medical screening of airline pilots and led to significant reforms.
The Denver Post
For its in-depth study of "missing children," which revealed that most are involved in custody disputes or are runaways, and which helped mitigate national fears stirred by exaggerated statistics.
Fort Worth (TX) Star-Telegram
For reporting by Mark J. Thompson which revealed that nearly 250 U.S. servicemen had lost their lives as a result of a design problem in helicopters built by Bell Helicopter -a revelation which ultimately led the Army to ground almost 600 Huey helicopters pending their modification.
1989 Prize Winners
Clarence Page
For his provocative columns on local and national affairs.
Michael Skube
For his writing about books and other literary topics.