Celebrating Visual Mastery: Reuters Journalists Win Inaugural National Press Club Pamela Tobey Award

Washington, DC, December 02, 2025

In the heart of Washington, D.C., where the corridors of power echo with the stories that shape our world, the National Press Club stands as a beacon for journalistic excellence. On November 13, 2025, the Club’s Journalism Institute made headlines of its own by announcing the winner of the inaugural Pamela Tobey Award for Excellence in Visual Storytelling. This new honor, designed to spotlight the unsung heroes who transform data and narratives into captivating visuals, went to a dynamic team from Reuters. In an era where a single graphic can cut through the noise of information overload, this award underscores the evolving role of visual journalism in our digital age.

The Award: A Tribute to the Art of Visual Narrative

Launched just months ago on August 27, 2025, the Pamela Tobey Award recognizes journalists who “push the boundaries of compelling and creative storytelling through decisive design choices.” It’s more than a pat on the back—winners receive a cash prize, widespread recognition across the Institute’s platforms, and a spotlight in an upcoming webinar to share their craft.

Named after Pamela Tobey, a trailblazing graphics editor at The Washington Post whose innovative designs illuminated complex stories for decades, the award fills a critical gap. “In this era of digital news, visual storytelling and graphics have become important tools for every news organization. But the talented journalists who create this work are often underappreciated,” Tobey remarked in the launch announcement. Her vision, supported by her husband Rick Dunham—a former president of both the National Press Club and the Institute—aims to elevate visuals from support act to star.

The inaugural cycle saw applications flood in starting September 23, with a deadline of October 24. Entries were judged by a powerhouse panel: Tobey herself, alongside Chris Alcantara (visual journalist at ProPublica) and Hannah Dormido (graphics reporter and cartographer at The Washington Post). Their selection criteria? Work that not only informs but captivates, using design to deepen understanding of thorny issues like climate change, global conflicts, or social inequities.

The Winners: Reuters’ Visionary Team

The winning project, “The unexploded bombs of Gaza,” was produced by Emma Farge, Adolfo Arranz, Han Huang, Simon Scarr, and Nidal al-Mughrabi. Judges commended the team for its powerful use and balance of illustrations, photography, color, data, and text. They especially praised the motion created through powerful visuals, as well as the ability to show scale without heavy reliance on traditional photos or video.

“The risk of unexploded ordnance in Gaza is both a data story and a deeply human one,” said Scarr, deputy global graphics editor at Reuters. “Our team combined precise technical information graphics, detailed illustrations, and ground-level photography to take readers on a journey from the types of bombs in the air to the dangers of living among unexploded ordnance on the ground. This award validates the discipline required to marry data integrity with emotional resonance, a reminder that the most effective visual storytelling doesn’t choose between accuracy and impact — it demands both.”

For context, Reuters has long been a powerhouse in visual journalism, but this win marks a milestone for collaborative, cross-continental efforts in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.

Why This Matters: Elevating Visuals in a Text-Heavy World

Visual storytelling isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. With attention spans shrinking and misinformation surging, graphics and multimedia are the journalists’ secret weapons. The Pamela Tobey Award arrives at a pivotal moment. As newsrooms grapple with AI-generated content and shrinking budgets, honoring human ingenuity in design reminds us that empathy and creativity can’t be coded.

This inaugural win sets a high bar for future entries, promising to unearth more gems from understaffed local outlets to global giants. As Tobey noted, “I want to add to the recognition of outstanding work in visual storytelling with this award at the National Press Club Journalism Institute.” In doing so, it’s not just celebrating winners—it’s investing in the future of informed publics.

Broader Trends in Visual Journalism

From climate change maps to conflict zone graphics, visual journalism is becoming a watchdog tool that makes hidden realities visible.
Interactive graphics and multimedia projects are reshaping how audiences engage with news, moving beyond passive reading to active exploration.
The winning Reuters team combined reporters, illustrators, and designers—reflecting a growing trend where journalism is no longer siloed but deeply collaborative.
The recognition of student projects like Found in Translation shows how academia is nurturing the next generation of visual storytellers.

The Bigger Picture

Awards like the Pamela Tobey are not just about celebrating excellence; they are about setting benchmarks. They remind us that journalism’s credibility and impact increasingly depend on how well stories are seen, not just how they are told.

For media organizations, the lesson is clear: invest in visual talent, embrace new formats, and recognize that audiences expect clarity through design as much as through words. For students and emerging journalists, the message is equally powerful—visual literacy is no longer optional, it’s central to the craft.

The editor of CitiTimes is a member of the National Press Club.