WINNERS OF CCNMA’s 6th ANNUAL

RUBEN SALAZAR AWARDS ANNOUNCED

<>(Dec. 22, 2004) The California Chicano News Media Assn. today announced the winners of its 6th Annual Ruben Salazar Journalism Awards recognizing work published or broadcast in California that exemplifies journalistic excellence while contributing to a better understanding of Latinos.

In the Print category, 1st Place went to Jenifer McKim, Keith Sharon, William Heisel, and Valeria Godines of the Orange County Register for their series on lead in Mexican candy called “Toxic Treats.”  The judges remarked, “Wow! The level of reporting and investigation that went into this important piece of journalism was immediately apparent. Nice writing job as well on all the pieces.”

In the Broadcast category, Pablo Espinoza of KUVS-TV in Sacramento won 1st Place for "Cedillo's Dream: Driver's Licenses." The judges called it a “great story with a good, consistent flow" that "utilized several elements in story. Showed how a hot topic in California has become much more than just politics.

"In the Radio category, 1st Place went to Luis R. Torres of KNX News Radio in Los Angeles for his story "Maria Suarez Hearing," on an immigration deportation hearing for a woman who spent 25 years in state prison. Judges said the “story was seamless. Awesome transition between your voice and sound bites. Great story. Great job.

”In the Photography category, 1st Place went to Don Bartletti of the Los Angeles Times, a three-time winner in this category, for “Families Reach Out Across Border.” Judges said “the image of Ramona Velarde, who drove three hours to embrace her daughter, Magdalena, is one of those rare moments that can only be captured by being at the right place at the right time.”

Winners will receive a newly-designed award featuring the image of Ruben Salazar, the former Los Angeles Times and KMEX-TV journalist who epitomized journalism excellence with Latino sensitivity.

Members of the Dallas-Fort Worth Network of Hispanic Communicators judged the entries. <>The awards are named after the late Ruben Salazar, who at the time of his death in 1970 was a columnist for the Los Angeles Times and news director of Spanish-language television station KMEX in Los Angeles.

CCNMA is a 32-year-old Los Angeles-based non-profit organization housed at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School of Journalism. The group, with 400 members statewide, is dedicated to the advancement of Latino journalists and to fostering fair and accurate portrayals of Latinos in the news media.

 

CCNMA 2004 Ruben Salazar Journalism Awards


Television Division

1st place:
"Cedillo's Dream: Driver's Licenses" - Pablo Espinoza, reporter, KUVS-TV

Judges' notes:
"Great story with a good, consistent flow."
"Utilized several elements in story. Very well edited."
"Showed how a hot topic in California has become much more than just politics."
 

2nd place:
"Out to Dry" - Luz Villarreal, Peter Chhun, John Larson, Dateline NBC 

Judges' notes:
"Well-written and interesting."
"A story that needed to be told. It accomplished what many stories fail to do... it caused change."
 

3rd place:
"Polvo Contaminado" - Diego Carro, Noticiero Telemundo 52

Judge's notes:
"Story grabbed your attention and didn't let go and left little or no questions unanswered."
"Clear story-telling."
"Effective images of asbestos and music."
 

Radio Division

1st place:
"Maria Suarez Hearing" – Luis Torres, KNX Newsradio

Judges comments:
"Story was seamless. Awesome transition between your voice and sound bites.
Easy to follow. Really liked it."
"Great story. Great job."

 

Print Division

1st place:
Toxic Treats -- Jenifer McKim, Keith Sharon, William Heisel, Valerie Godines
Reporters, The Orange County Register

Judges comments:
"Wow! The level of reporting and investigation that went into this important piece of journalism was immediately apparent.
"Nice writing job as well on all the pieces. From the lead on the first piece: ‘The poison arrives in an ice cream truck…’ to the explanations of the candy-making process" Would like to have known a little more about the health effects, but perhaps that was in a later installment.

2nd place:
More Than A Game -- David S. White, sports reporter, The Fresno Bee

"David drew me into his story on the Orosi Soccer League with a simple turn of phrase: ‘The first players arrive in dusty labor vans, bone-weary and grimy from a day in the fields…’ Then he gracefully lead me through the rest of the piece, making me feel as if I were sitting on the sidelines watching the game and listening to a friend tell the tale. Wonderful piece that told me something I can’t read anywhere else…Really nice job!"

3rd place:
A Cold Shoulder for God -- Hector Becerra, staff writer, Los Angeles Times

"I really enjoyed reading Hector’s piece on Rosa Gonzalez. It was a glimpse into her life and her battle with a surprise twist at the end: That Rosa’s still not ready to forgive… My one criticism of this piece would be that it could have benefited from a tighter edit."

 

Photography Division

1st place:
"Families Reach Out Across Border" -- Don Bartletti, staff photographer, Los Angeles Times

"The image of Ramona Velarde, who drove three hours to embrace her daughter, Magdalena is one of those rare moments that can only be captured by being at the right place at the right time."


 

JUDGES: Dallas-Ft. Worth Network of Hispanic Communicators