Jacqueline Charles, a Pulitzer Prize finalist for her reporting on Haiti with the Miami Herald, will be receiving Colby College’s 2024 Lovejoy Award for Courage in Journalism. Charles, who has covered wars, earthquakes, and other major events in Haiti for over 10 years, will be honored for her fearless reporting in a ceremony at Colby College in Waterville.
The Lovejoy Award is named after Elijah Parish Lovejoy, a journalist who was murdered in 1837 while defending his anti-slavery newspapers. Charles, a Black Haitian journalist, sees the award as a recognition not just for herself, but for all Haitian journalists who face danger and lack freedom of the press in their country.
Charles began her career at the Miami Herald at a young age and has since covered a wide range of topics, including education, racial injustice, and natural disasters. She gained recognition for her coverage of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, earning a Pulitzer Prize nomination in 2011.
Known for her groundbreaking reporting and commitment to the truth, Charles has been praised for her coverage of Haiti and the Caribbean. The Lovejoy Award selection committee commended her courage and dedication to journalism in difficult circumstances.
The award ceremony comes at a time when Haitian immigrants are facing scrutiny and misinformation, with Charles recently fact-checking false claims made by former President Donald Trump. Despite the challenges she faces as a journalist, Charles sees herself as a bridge between different communities and strives to highlight their similarities rather than their differences.
The Lovejoy Award, presented annually since 1952, honors journalists who exhibit courage in their reporting. This year’s ceremony will include a Q&A session with Charles and New York Times investigative correspondent Matt Apuzzo. Tickets are not required for the event, which aims to celebrate the work of journalists like Jacqueline Charles who take risks to uncover the truth.
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