The Society recognises statistical excellence in journalism through its awards each year. Awards are made to those who question, analyse and investigate the issues that affect society through statistics.

The 2012 awards recognise work first published or broadcast in the period 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011.

Work published in print - winner

Chris Giles of the Financial Times is the winner in the print category for his news article, ‘£12bn hole threatens plans to cut the deficit’, and the accompanying analysis article, ‘Growth picture clouded by spare capacity doubts’, published in the Financial Times on 19 September 2011. This is the second time that Chris Giles has won an award for statistical excellence in journalism, having previously done so in 2008.

The judges praised the use of statistical methods to challenge prevailing thinking on fiscal policy, obtaining the methodology used by the Office for Budget Responsibility and redoing the calculations with new data. The article set out its argument in a readily understandable way. In particular, with a discussion of methodologically complicated issues that had not omitted important aspects, including making clear the inevitable uncertainties of such analyses.

Work published in print - special commendation

Chris Cook of the Financial Times is commended in the print category for his article, ‘White Plight’, published on 26 April 2011.

The judges commended this article for adopting a statistical approach, which included a bespoke methodology, to examine a politically charged topic – how geography and ethnicity are linked to educational advantage and thereby impact social mobility. This statistics-based journalism had gone on to prompt both subsequent media interest and had led, among its impacts, to an invitation to attend a seminar with the Deputy Prime Minister.

Work published online - winner

Simon Rogers is the winner the online category for the Guardian’s Datablog of which he is the editor, with particular reference to entries on the riots in UK towns and cities in August 2011, the US Occupy movement and the Nato and UK operations in Libya.

The judges felt that these entries, and Datablog generally, not only used statistics to address questions of political importance but challenged assertions and behaviours of policy makers in a well-argued way. The judges praised how the site makes full use of the web-based format including interactive maps, animations and videos, and both makes the data behind the stories readily accessible to users of the site and engages with them. 

Work broadcast on radio or television - winner

A collaboration of correspondent, Fergus Walsh; graphic designer, David Gordon; lead camera, Tony Dolce; and producer, Anna-Marie Lever from the BBC is the winner in the broadcast category for the item, ‘Population – the world at 7 billion’, transmitted on 26 October 2011.

The judges were impressed at how the piece, at just under three minutes, had met the challenge of effective reporting within the time constraints television news broadcasting. A strong presentation had been made of the nature and context of the issues involved in population measurement and prediction, including important explanations of uncertainty. The graphics had been used well both to engage the viewer and, particularly, to explain statistical issues such as higher and lower estimates.

Work broadcast on radio or television - special commendation

BBC Radio 4’s More or Less team is commended in the online category for its broadcast investigating media reporting of the number of women becoming pregnant while using the contraceptive implant, Implanon. The More or Less team were winners of the award in the broadcast category in 2010 and commended in 2011.

The judges praised the way in which the programme had set out its message both clearly and simply, alerting the public to problems that arise when numbers are not reported sufficiently in context. The programme had had impact, highlighting deficiencies in other media reporting and showing that statistical concepts can be explained effectively for a general audience. The judges commended the way in which this had been achieved within the constraints of radio broadcasting.