7^th Annual CCNMA Ruben Salazar Journalism Award Winners

In the Broadcast category:

1st place was awarded to Pete Fuentes of XETV-Fox 6 News in San Diego for his story “TJ Students Part 1 & 2.” The judges noted: “Very good use of natural sounds, well put together by personalizing the story and following a student through a routine. Very informative, yet personal. Interesting to see how Tijuana residents circumvent laws to get their children in U.S. schools. Well edited. Nice photography. Well done.”

2nd place went to Flavio Lacayo, KDTV Noticias Univision 14 in San Francisco for his story "Trabajadores de restaurantes,” and 3rd place went to Edgardo Quijano and Edilberto Alvarado, also of KDTV Noticias Univision 14, for their story "Derechos del trabajador.”

In the Radio category:

1st place was awarded to Amy Isackson of KPBS FM in San Diego for her story "High School Smuggling.” Judges noted: “This piece covered an aspect of illegal smuggling that has not been widely covered – and that is affecting our youth. She took the listeners to the high school to hear the personal tales of students drawn into this world. Very nicely done”

In the Print category:

1st place was awarded to Claudia Melendez Salinas of The Salinas Californian for her story “Oaxacans in the Salinas Valley.” Judges noted: “An excellent piece of journalism. This series of stories help shed light on yet another face of illegal immigration. With the use of the 17-year-old who gave birth to a premature baby in a portable toilet, Claudia paints a picture for the reader about the difficulties/barriers these people face. From the education and language barriers to the difficulties encountered by this demographic among their own people. Claudia’s stories really gave the reader a sense of place.”

2nd place was awarded to Leslie Berenstein and Anna Cearley of the San Diego Union Tribune Writers for their story “Operation Gatekeeper: 10 Years Later,” and 3rd place to Dana Calvo of the Los Angeles Times for her story “The Saga of the Aztec Eagles.”

In the Photography category:

1st place was awarded to Gary Friedman of the Los Angeles Times for his photos “Antonio Villaraigosa on the Campaign Trail.” Judges noted: “This entry was the only one that truly captured the theme of the award; and the only one that truly presented a cohesive, thoughtful, polished picture story.”

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

I also want to take this opportunity to announce changes to the Ruben Salazar Journalism Awards competition beginning next year.

We will change the eligibility period for entries from mid-year to mid-year, to calendar year. That means the eligibility period will run from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 of any given year. However, because the 2005 contest eligibility period ended June 30, the 2007 awards will include an 18-month eligibility period, July 1, 2005 to Dec. 31, 2006.

The filing period for 2007 will be from Jan. 1 to March 2, 2007. You will receive an entry form in January 2007.

We have also created a new category for the competition to include Commentary. This category will include columns, editorials and opinion pieces.

Beginning in 2007, winners will be presented with their awards at CCNMA’s annual Scholarship Banquet in Los Angeles in June of every year.

We hope these changes will encourage more people to participate in the competition, and that CCNMA can continue to recognize excellent journalism that contributes to a better understanding of Latinos in the U.S.