Massey University alumna recognised as Pulitzer Prize finalist

The Pulitzer Prizes, established in 1917, are among the most esteemed awards in journalism and the arts. The Audio Reporting category, introduced in 2020, acknowledges excellence in storytelling and investigative reporting through audio media.

Ms Edwards was part of the WNYC and Gothamist team recognised as a Finalist for the 2025 Pulitzer Prize in Audio Reporting. Their investigative series uncovered decades of sexual abuse of female inmates at Rikers Island, focusing on patterns of misconduct and systemic failures to hold perpetrators accountable. The reporting highlighted how hundreds of lawsuits filed under New York's Adult Survivors Act revealed a pervasive culture of abuse and neglect within the prison system.

The investigation revealed that over 700 women filed lawsuits alleging sexual assault by correctional officers at the Rose M Singer Center, the women's jail on Rikers Island. The reporting identified specific officers, including one known as 'Officer Champagne,' who were repeatedly named in these allegations. Despite the volume and consistency of these claims, many of the accused officers remained employed and systemic issues within the Department of Correction allowed such abuses to persist unchecked for decades.

The investigation's findings were brought to life through a compelling audio feature that combined data analysis with personal narratives from affected inmates and their families. This approach provided listeners with an intimate understanding of the systemic issues plaguing the prison system.

Ms Edwards’ recognition as a Pulitzer Prize finalist underscores the significant impact of her work in shedding light on institutional failures and advocating for accountability within the criminal justice system.

The Pulitzer-nominated piece centres the voices of women who are suing for immense abuses of power and horrific sexual assault.

Ms Edwards says she's thrilled it has been recognised at the highest level.

"I’m thinking of this accolade as a win for compassionate storytelling and dogged reporting. In my career so far, I’ve come to believe that empathy and grit are the key characteristics of a great journalist."

She says her time at Massey provided a strong foundation for the skills and values required to pursue such an ambitious investigation.

“Massey gave me the very practical journalism skills I needed to see this story through interview techniques, feature writing, crafting scenes and nut grafs, recording audio, taking powerful photos and investigative methods. It also taught me very real responsibility as reporters, our profession is one of the pillars of democracy. These are skills and values which cumulatively cannot be replaced by AI or changing media models.”

Ms Edwards also had a message for aspiring journalists entering the field.

“To the young journalists coming after me, do not be afraid of the changing media landscape. The world will always need more empathetic and brave reporters. Only we can tell these deeply human stories. Without compassion, we can’t report with nuance. Without nuance there is no truth.”

She graduated with a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from Massey in 2015.

Associate Professor James Hollings says she was an outstanding student.

“Jessy stood out her for her intelligence and work ethic and her willingness to start at the bottom, chasing the local beat stories. She really knew how to do pavement and you can see that in the attention to detail and footwork she brought to this story.

“That’s something we take pride in teaching on our journalism courses – how the traditional skills of journalism and reporting are even more relevant than ever and can’t be replaced by AI.

“I’m so proud of Jessy and it’s a tribute to Massey and the almost 60 years of tradition in teaching journalism excellence here.”

Other notable Pulitzer Prize-winning Massey journalism alumni include Alison McCulloch, who won for her contribution to coverage of the Columbine massacre in 2000.