Two UFCJC student projects selected as finalists for 2026 Online Journalism Awards
Two University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) student class projects are finalists for a 2026 Online Journalism Award in the Student Journalism category, the only student category in the national competition. The awards, launched in May 2000, are the only comprehensive set of journalism prizes honoring excellence in digital journalism around the world.
The first finalist, “The Price of Paradise,” is the result of semester-long reporting project on the limits of ecotourism in Florida and globally. The class included a trip to Costa Rica, a global model for nature-based tourism thanks to bold policies that reforested a quarter of the country and prioritized conservation. Cynthia Barnett, UFCJC senior lecturer and Director of Climate and Environment Reporting Initiatives, and conservation photographer and filmmaker Dr. Gabby Salazar led a student team that included Maria Avlonitis, Kimberly Blum, Sabrina Castro, Gabriella Chavez, Alex Land, Franklin Lopez Martinez, Caia Reese, Luena Rodriguez-Feo Vileira, Nathan Thomas and Kat Tran.
The second finalist, “When Lightning Strikes,” featured a report on lightning, which kills more people in Florida than any other state, and an exploration on how climate change may be making lightning worse. The project blended narrative storytelling; a data analysis of more than 87 million lightning strikes; investigative reporting; interactive graphics; and video storytelling to explain what lightning is, how it can change lives in a split second, how climate change could be impacting it and what more Florida can do to keep residents and tourists safe. Project advisers Barnett, UFCJC Data Journalism Lecturer Gavin Off and interactive and design visiting professional David Kofahl, led the student team featuring Emilia Arnold, Bea Anhuci, Isabela Reinoso, Claudia Schmidt, Katie Shealy, Kaitlyn Tarakji, Emma Twombly and Marta Zherukha.
The OJAs recognize major media, international and independent sites and individuals producing innovative work in digital storytelling. The screeners and judges place special emphasis on entries that demonstrate mastery of the special characteristics and emerging technology of digital journalism.
The winner will be announced on Sept. 3 at 2 p.m. EDT via Zoom.
Category: College News, Student News
Tagged: Cynthia Barnett Environmental Journalism Gavin Off Innovation News Center Online Journalism Awards The Price of Paradise When Lightning Strikes
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