BENEDICT De la Cruz
Multimedia Editor
NPR
Washington, DC, United States
Ben is an award-winning documentary video producer and multimedia journalist. He joined NPR as the multimedia editor for the Science Desk in June 2012. In this role, he serves as the visual architect for NPR's coverage of health, science, environment, energy, food and agriculture.
Ben began his career as a multimedia journalist at washingtonpost.com in January 2000. During his 12-year career there, he helped create the newspaper industry's groundbreaking multimedia site, Camera Works. Along the way, he managed the dozen-person multimedia and documentary video departments, overseeing feature and news reporting.
While at washingtonpost.com, his series of 12 profiles about racial identity for the Being a Black Man project won the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award. The award marked the first time a newspaper won what is widely considered as the Pulitzer Prize of broadcast journalism.
His reporting on the multimedia project Under Suspicion: Voices About Muslims In America work has been recognized with a National Edward R. Murrow Award. He has also received three National Emmy Award nominations for his work on Top Secret America (2010), Living with PTSD (2007) and Being A Black Man (2006).
Prior to joining The Washington Post, Ben worked as an independent producer for public television, a print reporter covering the Internet industry, and a freelance photography reviewer for Photo District News magazine. He has also co-produced and written songs released by Sony Music, Dischord and DCide Records.
2015 - Peabody Award, 2013 - Edward R. Murrow Award