Layoff Victims Among Pulitzer Honorees

Think doing Pulitzer Prize-quality work will guarantee you continued employment at a newspaper? Here's proof it won't.

Among the recipients of this year's Pulitzer for local reporting is Paul Giblin, who, together with Ryan Gabrielson, wrote a five-part series in the East Valley Tribune on Sheriff Joe Arpaio's efforts to fight illegal immigration at the expense of other areas of law enforcement.

Giblin was laid off in October, when the Phoenix-area paper reduced its staff by 40 percent, shrunk its distribution area and cut back publication to four days a week. (It has since pulled back to three days.) So was Patti Epler, the Tribune's metro editor, who oversaw the project. Along with two other Tribune refugees, they launched the Arizona Guardian, a website covering Arizona politics and government, earlier this year.

"It shows you can still do significant work, even in the face of declining resources, if you put your mind to it," said Epler when I reached her at the Guardian. Being a victim of upheaval in the newspaper industry doesn't take away from her joy at winning, she added. "It's almost like I'm glad we're not at the Tribune anymore because we're doing our own thing and it's pretty cool. And even though we're not making any money, journalistically and professionally it's really great and satisfying."

Gabrielson, who's still at the Tribune, says there's nothing bittersweet in the victory for him, either. "I would've thought there would be, but in truth, after all we've been through this year, it just feels good," he said. "It helps wash away some of the nastiness that a lot of people in the industry, almost everyone is dealing with, and we are in particular."

And what about the paper's publisher, Julie Moreno? How does she feel knowing she laid off Pulitzer winners?

"We're just very happy as a newsroom overall that the work that was done was recognized at such a high level in the industry," said Moreno.

And that's it? Just happy? Nothing more complicated than that?

"Clearly, given the choices we faced, or given the situation, obviously it would be nice if the outcome was a little bit different, but I don't think it diminishes at all, frankly, the excellent work they did on that project and the recognition they are justly receiving as a result."