Bunting Award History
Past Recipients
2021 - The Seattle Times
The Washington Coalition for Open Government presented its 2021 Bunting Award to the staff of The Seattle Times for aggressively reporting on the city of Seattle’s mishandling of public records and for holding public officials to account – to the point of suing City Hall.
More information and links to the award-winning coverage here.
2020 - Chris Ingalls and the KING5 Investigators
The team was recognized for its effective use of public records access in the investigative reporting of the extent and duration of mold infections in operating rooms at Seattle Children’s Hospital. At least seven of the hospital’s young patients have died from mold infections since 2001.
More information and links to the award-winning coverage here.
2019 - Eli Sanders
Eli Sanders
Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist, The Stranger
For his investigation into online campaign ads in light of Washington state’s regulations and disclosure laws, Eli Sanders received the 2019 Bunting Award. One result of his reporting of dozens of stories in The Stranger was lawsuits against Facebook and Google by the state Attorney General, and a $425,000 settlement for the companies’ failure to follow Washington access laws – and their decision to stop selling political ads in the state because of its tough disclosure rules.
2018 - Rachel La Corte & Media Organizations Throughout the State
Rachel La Corte, Legislative Reporter for the Associated Press
Susanna Frame, 2017 winner, and WashCOG President Toby Nixon present the 2018 Bunting Award to Rachel La Corte.
Rachel La Corte, Associated Press correspondent in Olympia, has written numerous articles about legislative attempts to exclude itself from the Public Records Act, notably April 2017 stories about how the 1995 legislature passed a law that it contends exempts the body from the PRA. She also covered SB 6617, passed in less than 48 hours with little floor debate and no public hearings, which was subsequently vetoed by Gov. Jay Inslee.
and Media organizations throughout the state
Sharing the 2018 Bunting Award for their part in urging the governor’s veto are media organizations throughout the state. Thirteen daily newspapers ran front-page editorials on Feb. 27 urging Gov. Inslee to veto SB 6617, and encouraging Washingtonians to also contact the governor’s office with their concern. Several television stations ran editorial commentary urging the same; and most of the state’s weekly newspapers, including at least two college papers, plus online news sites ran opinion pieces opposing SB 6617.
2017 - Susannah Frame
Lori Matsukawa (right) accepting the 2017 Kenneth F. Bunting Award on behalf of winner Susannah Frame, with WashCOG president Toby Nixon (left). Photo by Marcus R. Donner.
2016 - Sean Robinson
2016 Kenneth F. Bunting award recipient, Sean Robinson, of The News Tribune accepting his award with WashCOG Communications Consultant, Juli Bunting.
2015 - The Seattle Times
2015 Kenneth F. Bunting award recipients, Lewis Kamb and James Neff – accepting on behalf of the Loaded with Lead reporters of The Seattle Times with WashCOG President Toby Nixon and Juli Bunting, WashCOG Communications Consultant.
Photo by Marcus R. Donner © 2015