1. Provide the title of your story or series and the names of the journalists involved.
The Gulf Oil Spill: Threatening Humans by Marisa Taylor and Erika Bolstad.
2. List date(s) this work was published or aired.
May 28, June 9, June 15
3. Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
McClatchy provided the most exhaustive and independent coverage of the Gulf oil spill and its effects in stories that warned of the devastating consequences; exposed BP's failures to measure the amount of oil spilled and the reasons for the disaster; and uncovered the Obama administration's inability to assess the damage, to halt drilling as the president ordered or to protect cleanup workers.
4. Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
This was a difficult story to get accurate and timely information for, such as permits from the then-Minerals Management Service. We couldn't rely on FOIA _ one we filed with the Department of Interior remains pending. We had to rely on leaked documents from internal government sources, public documents we unearthed, information we got from congressional investigators, arcane government databases and people who were on the ground working on the response.
5. Explain types of human sources used.
We spoke with shrimpers and fishermen who lost their jobs, independent scientists, lawyers, prosecutors, government experts, oil field workers, administration officials, engineers, state officials, environmentalists, cleanup workers, health advocates and labor unions.
6. Results (if any).
Until our stories, the government would release only limited information about health and safety, including the air quality for workers at sea. They also initially declined to release BP's safety plan for workers and didn't acknowledge its between-the-scenes criticism of BP's handling of health and safety guidelines. The government also took more stringent health measures, including recommending the use of respirators for some cleanup workers.
7. Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
Not that we're aware of.
8. Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
Jump in, dig and work to find people who want to see their government and industries held accountable when they fail us.