The work of a journalist is never-ending. Between straining eyes, tilted posture and constant notifications, it’s a job for individuals dedicated to their community. From the stories that get national attention to the ones left unnoticed, every word is a hallmark of their commitment to public service.
The Independent Florida Alligator is no stranger to such a commitment, one that is actively being recognized. The paper received the Al Neuharth Award for Excellence in the Media from the Freedom Forum, an organization dedicated to protecting First Amendment freedoms. The award celebrates outstanding journalism and the service the paper provides by upholding those freedoms and keeping our community informed.
The Alligator is the first student newspaper to earn the award.
The award was first presented in 1989 to CBS News. Now, The Alligator will be listed as a recipient alongside industry giants such as USA TODAY, NBC, PBS, The Washington Post and The Associated Press.
The award will be presented at the Free Expression Awards Wednesday evening in Washington, D.C. Former Alligator Editors-in-Chief Siena Duncan and Aidan Bush and reporters Garrett Shanley and Vivienne Serret will accept the award on behalf of The Alligator.
Shanley and Serret’s coverage of Ben Sasse skyrocketed the paper to national headlines. Duncan and Bush’s leadership encouraged reporters to take on those difficult stories and guided them to produce their best bylines.
The Alligator will be nationally recognized, but we can’t exist without the immense support we receive from our local community. To ensure student journalism can continue to thrive, please consider donating to The Independent Florida Alligator.
The Alligator will continue to uphold its high standard of reporting. Every story we write is for the benefit of our readers, who deserve not only to be informed but to trust in the reporters who tell their stories. It’s more than a student-run paper. It’s a service to the people who keep us alive. Their experiences are the foundation of all that we do.
Contact Delia Rose Sauer and Bailey Diem at drosesauer@alligator.org and bdiem@alligator.org. Follow them on X @_delia_rose_ and @BaileyDiem.
Bailey Diem is a journalism junior and the Summer 2025 Engagement Managing Editor. She previously edited for the metro desk and reported for the metro and university desks. In her free time, she enjoys playing guitar or getting lost in a book.
Delia Rose Sauer is a journalism senior and the Summer 2025 Editor-in-Chief. She reported on the university desk for two semesters. When she's not glued to her laptop, she's drawing on Procreate, crocheting or creating a new Spotify playlist.
