RFA’s Cantonese Service, 2011 winner
RFA’s Cantonese Service was recognized for groundbreaking coverage of a radiation leak and the Chinese Government’s nondisclosure of that information. In May 2010, China’s Shenzhen Daya Bay Nuclear Plant incurred four accidents, including its most serious radiation leak since it began operations, which authorities tried to cover up. RFA’s Cantonese Service obtained a document revealing details of the nuclear leakage and broke the story with comprehensive coverage, which was picked up by major media organizations. After this story was revealed, environmentalists and local politicians called for accountability, an investigation, and new accident reporting requirements.