Al Jazeera English's Fault Lines wins at National Headliner Awards
Al Jazeera English has won a prestigious National Headliner Award for its Fault Lines film, "The Pesticide Playbook," in the Health/Science category. The judges' decision was announced on 29 April 2024.
In the film, Fault Lines investigates the use of the pesticide paraquat in the United States and how its manufacturer, global chemical giant Syngenta, concealed its connection to Parkinson's disease. Despite being banned in 58 countries, the use of paraquat is increasing in the US, even with mounting scientific evidence indicating it harms farmers – a fact Syngenta was aware of.
During the award-judging process, the judges noted that the film, by engaging with farmers and scientists who work with the pesticide, "provides a close-up view of the living hazards and the powerful lobby that protects the chemical from regulation."
The Fault Lines team also secured second place in the Business and Consumer Reporting category. The runner-up programme, "Derailed," examines the US railroad industry, questioning whether it has prioritised profits over safety following a freight train accident in Ohio.
"We are extremely grateful to the Headliner Awards judges for recognising our episode, 'The Pesticide Playbook'," said Executive Producer, Laila Alarian. "As always, we extend our thanks to everyone who spoke and provided information for this investigation, including those who have been battling Parkinson's for many years and their families."
Founded in 1934 by the Press Club of Atlantic City, the National Headliner Awards program is one of the oldest and largest annual contests recognizing journalistic merit in the communications industry.
Al Jazeera English is a widely recognised channel, with accolades from journalism organisations and industry peers. Based in the United States, the Fault Lines team has also been awarded three News and Documentary Emmy Awards, three Overseas Press Club Awards, and two Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Awards for Human Rights reporting, among others.
