USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism

The Selden Ring Award

The video outlines the origins and purpose of the Selden Ring Award, founded after Watergate by businessman Selden Ring to reward distinguished investigative reporting that safeguards American democracy. The award criteria focus on impact—legislation, lawsuits, community empowerment—and on rigorous, persistent reporting. Judges convene to debate dozens of entries, seeking stories that “dug and dug” until answers emerged. Notable remarks highlight that modern investigative work now leverages data analytics, AI, and multimedia, yet remains rooted in fearless truth‑telling. Ring’s mantra—“comfort the afflicted, afflict the comfortable”—underscores the award’s ethos. By spotlighting high‑impact journalism, the Selden Ring Award incentivizes newsroom investment in deep‑dive reporting, reinforcing the press’s role as a democratic watchdog amid financial pressures.