The Post-Standard: A Legacy of Award-Winning Investigative Journalism
The Post-Standard has established itself as a powerhouse of regional reporting, blending high market reach with a rigorous commitment to accountability. From dominating digital penetration to uncovering systemic government failures, the publication has consistently pushed the boundaries of local journalism to serve the public interest.
Key Facts
- Market Leader: Syracuse.com is ranked as the No. 1 newspaper website in the U.S. for market penetration.
- High Reach: The Pew Research Center recorded a 64% market penetration for the paper in 2011, the fourth highest in the nation.
- Prestigious Honors: Recipient of the Gerald Loeb Award for excellence in business journalism.
- Consistent Excellence: Won the New York State Associated Press Association's Newspaper of Distinction award five consecutive times from 2005 to 2009.
Industry Recognition and Market Reach
The Post-Standard is recognized not only for the quality of its content but also for its ability to reach its audience. Al Neuharth of USA Today named it one of the 10 best newspapers in America with a circulation under 100,000. This reach extends into the digital realm, where Scarborough market research identifies Syracuse.com as the top newspaper website in the country regarding market penetration—the percentage of households in a given market that consume the publication.
The publication's print presence remains equally strong. Scarborough ranks the Sunday edition as No. 3 in the U.S., while the Pew Research Center's 2012 Project for Excellence in Journalism highlighted its impressive 64% market penetration in 2011.
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Professional accolades further validate the paper's impact. In June 2015, it received the Newspaper of Distinction award from the New York State Associated Press Association. Additionally, in July 2015, the New York News Publishers Association granted the paper eight first-place awards, the highest number of any newspaper in its circulation category.
A Tradition of Hard-Hitting Investigations
Since the late 1970s, The Post-Standard has adopted an aggressive approach to investigative reporting. In the 2000s, the paper focused heavily on the inner workings of Albany, scrutinizing the New York Legislature and the office of Governor George Pataki.
Exposing Financial Mismanagement
One of the paper's most significant achievements was the investigation into Empire Zone tax breaks conducted by Michelle Breidenbach and Mike McAndrew between 2005 and 2007. Their reporting revealed that hundreds of millions of tax dollars were misappropriated by companies that did not deserve the incentives. This series led to a successful lawsuit against the state to release records and ultimately forced the program to end.
The Empire Zone series earned several prestigious honors, including the 2007 Gerald Loeb Award, a First Amendment award from the Associated Press Managing Editors, and an in-depth reporting award from Capitolbeat.
Government Accountability and Public Lands
The publication has consistently challenged the misuse of public funds and resources. Key investigations include:
- Slush Funds: Starting in 2004, Michelle Breidenbach tracked how state legislators bypassed borrowing laws by funneling money through the Dormitory Authority and Empire State Development.
- Public Land Sales: The paper exposed the secretive sale of public lands along the Erie Canal by the New York State Canal Corporation at prices below market value.
- Power Authority: In 2006, Breidenbach uncovered wasteful spending at the New York Power Authority.
- Civil Confinement: In 2014, Douglass Dowty won a state Associated Press first-place award for exposing the state's secretive punishment of civil confinement.
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Justice and Regional Development
Beyond financial audits, The Post-Standard has tackled criminal justice and sociology. In 2014, reporter John O’Brien published a series of stories regarding the 1994 disappearance of Heidi Allen. His work exposed flaws in the original prosecution and raised critical questions about whether the wrong person had been imprisoned.
Earlier, in 2000, writers Mark Libbon, James T. Mulder, and Rick Moriarty produced the "Where We're Going" series. This work analyzed the population loss in Central New York during the 1990s, sparking a regional dialogue on economic development and earning recognition from the state Publisher's Association and Associated Press.
Summary of Major Achievements
| Category | Achievement/Award | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Market Reach | Syracuse.com Ranking | No. 1 in U.S. market penetration |
| Business Journalism | Gerald Loeb Award | Empire Zone tax break investigation |
| General Excellence | Newspaper of Distinction | Won 5 times (2005–2009) |
| Market Penetration | Pew Research Center | 64% (4th best in U.S. in 2011) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is market penetration in the context of The Post-Standard?
Market penetration refers to the number of newspapers sold as a percentage of total households in a specific market. The Post-Standard has ranked among the highest in the U.S. in this metric.
What was the impact of the Empire Zone tax break investigation?
The investigation revealed the misappropriation of hundreds of millions of tax dollars. It resulted in a successful lawsuit for the release of public records and the eventual termination of the program.
Which awards has the newspaper won for its business reporting?
The newspaper won the 2007 Gerald Loeb Award, which is one of the most prestigious honors for business journalism in the United States.
How has the paper contributed to criminal justice reform?
Through the reporting of John O’Brien, the paper exposed significant flaws in the investigation and prosecution of the Heidi Allen case, questioning the imprisonment of the accused.
What did the "Where We're Going" series focus on?
Published in 2000, this series examined the causes of population decline in Central New York during the 1990s and discussed the region's economic development policies.