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In an era defined by disinformation, censorship, and attacks on press freedom, Stan Polovets is using the Genesis Prize platform to honor decades of journalistic truth-telling. From the Watergate scandal to the war zones of Iraq and Syria, Jewish journalists have long been on the frontlines of defending democracy—often at great personal risk.
“SignalGate,” a recent controversy in which the editor of The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg, was accidentally included in a classified U.S. military chat, has reignited debate around government transparency and the role of journalists as watchdogs. For Stan Polovets, this moment is a clarion call to remember—and recommit to—the values upheld by generations of Jewish journalists who have fought to preserve democratic norms.
Polovets, the co-founder and Chairman of The Genesis Prize Foundation, views SignalGate as a stark reminder of how journalistic oversight can act as a safeguard against the abuse of power.
“Jewish journalists have consistently demonstrated a commitment to truth and justice that transcends national boundaries,” says Polovets. “Their work represents fundamental Jewish values of pursuing truth and seeking justice—principles that are essential to a functioning democracy.”
The Genesis Prize Foundation, under Polovets’ leadership, awards an annual prize recognizing professional achievement, contribution to humanity, and dedication to Jewish values. By spotlighting both historical and modern journalists, Polovets hopes their stories continue to inspire new generations and protect the enduring value of journalistic integrity.
Uncovering Watergate: Jewish Journalists Bring Down a President
Perhaps no investigative reporting better exemplifies journalism’s watchdog role than the Washington Post’s coverage of the Watergate scandal. Carl Bernstein, the son of a labor lawyer, partnered with Bob Woodward to expose the corruption that ultimately led to President Nixon’s resignation.
Less widely known is the fact that key editorial figures behind the scenes—Katharine Graham, Howard Simons, Barry Sussman, and Harry Rosenfeld—were also Jewish. Their leadership shaped one of the most consequential investigations in American history: holding the highest office accountable for its abuse of power.
“The Watergate investigation reflects what is fundamental about the Jewish journalistic tradition,” Polovets explains. “It represents an unwavering commitment to democratic principles, no matter how powerful the adversary.”
Seymour Hersh: Exposing Military Atrocities
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Seymour Hersh shocked the world when he uncovered the My Lai Massacre—when more than 400 South Vietnamese civilians were murdered by U.S. troops in 1968. He would later report on torture and abuse at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, a story that led to prosecutions, policy changes, and eventually the closure of the infamous facility.
“We must honor those who follow this tradition of fearlessly pursuing truth,” says Polovets. “Even when it means exposing painful realities about our own institutions.”
These investigations exemplify the highest calling of journalism: holding powerful institutions accountable for their actions, even when the truth contradicts cherished national myths. Such work requires extraordinary courage and persistence.
The Ultimate Sacrifice: Daniel Pearl and Steven Sotloff
Some journalists pay the ultimate price. In 2002, Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl disappeared while investigating Al-Qaeda in Pakistan. He was abducted and brutally murdered by Islamic militants. His final words: “My father is Jewish, my mother is Jewish, I am Jewish.”
Twelve years later, Steven Sotloff, a 31-year-old journalist covering the Middle East for TIME Magazine and The Christian Science Monitor, was captured and executed by Islamic State militants. Both men exemplified journalism’s noblest calling—pursuing truth in service of global understanding, regardless of personal risk.
“Their sacrifices remind us that journalism isn’t merely a profession but a calling,” says Polovets. “Daniel Pearl and Steven Sotloff bore witness, even in the darkest circumstances.”
Contemporary Excellence: Brian Rosenthal’s Taxi Industry Exposé
In 2020, New York Times reporter Brian Rosenthal earned the Pulitzer Prize for revealing how New York’s taxi industry exploited immigrant drivers. His investigation revealed predatory practices that trapped immigrant drivers in crushing debt while enriching lenders and industry insiders – it led to major reforms and debt relief for hundreds of workers.
“Today’s investigative journalists who expose wrongdoing and give voice to the powerless embody the same values that have defined Jewish contributions to both journalism and social justice for generations,” says Polovets.
Facing Authoritarianism: Journalism Under Threat
In Russia and Iran, journalists investigating government corruption or military operations face imprisonment or worse. In Western democracies, newsrooms are shrinking, and press freedoms are under threat from political polarization and economic upheaval.
“We must recognize that the values upheld by courageous journalists require constant vigilance and defense,” Polovets warns. “Supporting free press is essential to the survival of democracy.”
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, hundreds of reporters worldwide face imprisonment, violence, or death for their work each year.
Contemporary Voices: Sacha Baron Cohen and the Fight for Facts
The battle for truth has expanded to new channels. Comedian and activist Sacha Baron Cohen has emerged as a prominent voice warning about the dangers of social media platforms that amplify hate speech, misinformation, and extremism has become a leading critic of social media companies. His advocacy, often laced with satire to expose prejudice and misrepresentation, shares the fundamental purpose that motivated journalists like Bernstein and Hersh: revealing uncomfortable truths that powerful interests would prefer to keep hidden.
“Whether through investigative reporting or cultural critique,” says Polovets, “the commitment to truth and justice remains central to Jewish contributions to public discourse.”
Joseph Pulitzer: Creating Journalism’s Highest Honor
The very foundation of journalism’s most prestigious recognition has Jewish roots. The Pulitzer Prize was established through an endowment by Hungarian Jew Joseph Pulitzer, the crusading publisher who made saving the Statue of Liberty one of his many causes.
In 1884, when New York lacked sufficient funds to build the pedestal for the Statue of Liberty, Pulitzer used his newspaper, The New York World, to rally public support. His campaign raised the necessary money to complete the platform for what would become America’s iconic symbol of freedom and social justice.
Since the establishment of the Pulitzer Prize, Jewish journalists have won a disproportionately high number of awards for investigative reporting, continuing Pulitzer’s legacy of impactful journalism.
“Joseph Pulitzer understood that journalism’s highest purpose is protecting democracy,” says Polovets. “His creation of the Pulitzer Prize established a standard of excellence that continues to inspire journalists worldwide.”
The Ongoing Legacy: Jewish Journalists Shaping Democracy
Jewish journalists have helped define modern press—and they continue to influence it across new media, advocacy platforms, and global institutions.
“By recognizing excellence across fields, including those who uphold democratic values through their work, we hope to inspire the next generation,” says Stan Polovets. “The Jewish contribution to truth-telling transcends any single era.”
This legacy of Jewish journalists who changed the world offers both inspiration and instruction as society grapples with misinformation, propaganda, and attempts to undermine factual reporting. Their collective example reminds us that democracy depends upon the courage of those willing to pursue truth regardless of the consequences – a tradition that continues to shape our world today.