Honoring journalists who tell important stories

With all media facing so many business challenges in today's digital age, it's always refreshing to see the best of local journalism recognized.

That's why about 200 Ohio journalists gathered at the Villa Milano in Columbus last Sunday to celebrate the annual Ohio Associated Press Media Editors awards. Newspapers, radio stations and television stations enter their best work in a wide variety of categories from best print design to best weathercast and video reports.

It's the most competitive journalism contest in the state, although there are far fewer entries and luncheon attendees than a decade ago.

As I watched the parade of winners walk up to accept their awards, including a strong contingent of Dispatch staffers , I began to marvel at the importance of their work and importance in telling all of us stories we might not otherwise see or hear.

Dispatch winners: See list of all Dispatch journalists honored by Ohio APME

The Dispatch's " Preying on Patients " investigation exposed how the State Medical Board of Ohio failed to protect patients from doctors facing serious misconduct allegations. It's now won two national and two statewide awards, earning first place from the Ohio APME for investigative reporting.

Our USA TODAY Ohio Network's October investigation " Chaos In Ohio’s Youth Lockups " won second place for investigative reporting featuring work from The Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and Canton Repository. The series chronicled significant problems impacting juveniles locked up by the Ohio Department of Youth Services.

And The Dispatch's special report " Under Fire: 80 hours of Gun Violence " earned multiple first-place awards for best public service, best video and best full-page design. We even won all three awards for best videos by a newspaper.

Overall, the Dispatch won first place in general excellence based on the success of all 26 awards our team earned.

All of that work published before I arrived here in January, but the recognition reinforced why we must continue serving this community and striving for even better local journalism.

Michael Shearer is the executive editor of The Columbus Dispatch and Dispatch.com. He can be reached at mshearer@dispatch.com or 614-245-0358.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Honoring journalists who tell important stories