Caplin News took home one of Florida’s most prestigious journalism honors.
The student-run newsroom at Florida International University’s Lee Caplin School of Journalism & Media shared the 2026 Gold Medal from the Florida Society of News Editors with WUFT.org, the news site operated by the University of Florida.
The award marks the first time the organization has issued a Gold Medal in the student category.
Winners of the annual contest will be celebrated this June at the Florida Media Conference in Orlando.
Below is a list of this year’s Florida Society of News Editors winner
Anthony Cruz
Best investigative story – 1st place
“What’s worse, this or death?”: The long history of abuse in immigrant detention centers
Lucas Bogardus, Joanna Camargo, Lola Rodriguez and Dylan Teboe
Best multimedia story – 1st place
Most Banned Books of the 2024–2025 School Year (Number of Districts That Banned Each Title)
Lucas Bogardus, Joanna Camargo, Lola Rodriguez and Dylan Teboe
Best podcast- 1st place
Pages They Pulled: The fight against Florida’s book ban legislation (includes audio story)
Nathan Masachi, Zipporah Hayes, Giselle Forero and Bautista Samperi
Best video storytelling – 1st place
Mama Hattie’s House: Stepping out, stepping in (includes documentary)
Brianna Arias and Mauro Rueda
Best Spanish language sports story
La revolución de la FIFA comienza en Hard Rock (incluye video)
Also placing in the contest, one of Florida’s two most prestigious, were Alejandro Marquina, Esteban Rodriguez and Marc Bourgeois.
