News Gem of the Year
We think the best journalism of 2007 was The Washington Post's comprehensive and sustained coverage of the conflict in Iraq and its repercussions. Steve Fainaru’s “Private Armies” series shined a much-needed spotlight on the more than 20,000 security contractors who are supplementing U.S. troops in Iraq. www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/linkset/2007/06/15/LI2007061501702.html
David Finkel’s “Unit’s Mission” portrayed 27 soldiers’ heroic effort to pay tribute to a fallen friend. www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/08/AR2007070801314.html
In “The Other Walter Reed,” Dana Priest and Anne Hull exposed the deplorable conditions endured by injured soldiers at the Army’s top medical facility and featured one of the best leads of the year:
Behind the door of Army Spec. Jeremy Duncan's room, part of the wall is torn and hangs in the air, weighted down with black mold. When the wounded combat engineer stands in his shower and looks up, he can see the bathtub on the floor above through a rotted hole. The entire building, constructed between the world wars, often smells like greasy carry-out. Signs of neglect are everywhere: mouse droppings, belly-up cockroaches, stained carpets, cheap mattresses.
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/17/AR2007021701172.html
“New Graves, Fresh Grief” by Darragh Johnson touchingly described a cemetery where American troops killed during the war are buried. www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/19/AR2007051901288.html
These stories, with their deep reporting and fine writing, are just a small sampling of The Post’s brilliant coverage of the most important story of the year. We tip our hats to The Post’s staff and all the other journalists who have covered the fighting in Iraq and its aftermath.
For more top gems of 2007, look below for yesterday's post. What do you think was the best story of 2007? Leave a comment and let us know.