The California Chicano News Media Association presented its inaugural Ruben Salazar Awards to journalists whose work exemplifies excellence while contributing to the fair and accurate portrayal of Latinos in the media at a reception on Sept. 24 in San Francisco sponsored by the Chronicle Publishing Co., which owns the San Francisco Chronicle and KRON-TV in San Francisco.

Awards were given out in four journalism categories: Photography, Radio, Television and Print. $250 was awarded for each winner in each category.

Los Angeles Times photographer Annie Wells won the Photography award for her photo of a Nicaraguan man mourning the loss of 72 relatives to Hurricane Mitch. The judges commented: Annie Wells' photo of a Nicaraguan man grieving the loss of 72 relatives to Hurricane Mitch is beautifully composed. The timing was so precise. Ms. Wells captured a moment when even the man s horse had its head down, making the mood of the photo one of overall sadness. An overcast sky completes the story.

The judges also honored reporter Jon Beaupre of National Public Radio's Latino USA for his story on "Latinos in Film." The judges commented: The topic is very timely, the content was excellent and the actualities that were used were powerful. The actors sharing their experiences and rejections struck a chord about the problem of the few roles that exist for Latinos in television or film unless they re cast as a stereotypical character. Excellent piece of journalism. Excellent basis from which to build a compelling report (SAG figures). Very good subjects, their cuts said more about the current perception of Hispanics/Latinos by the Hollywood power structure than any statistics could adequately relate. Good use of nat sound and scene setting. It helped humanize and put a face to the facts/figures in the SAG report. Very relevant topic about the perception and understanding of Latinos.

Freelance correspondent-producer Carmen Escobosa and freelance photographer Hector Gonzalez won in the Television category for their series "Ver Para Creer," which aired on KMEX-TV in Los Angeles. The judges commented: An extremely well done series. Each of the stories in this series depicted the daily horrors and great risks that immigrants face in coming to America in search of their dream. Excellent piece of journalism. We were impressed with the way it was edited, produced and written. The producer researched her subject well and the photographer did a good job editing and telling the stories visually.

The other finalists in the television category were correspondent George Lewis, producer Cecilia Alvear, and editor Jean MacDonald for their story "Lalo Guerrero, Chicano Musician," and, again, Escobosa and Gonzalez for their story on how the new INS deportation law ripped one family apart, "Covarrubias vs. Departamento de Justicia."

In the Print category, reporters Edwin Garcia and Ben Stocking of the San Jose Mercury News won for their story "Diaspora: The Latino Migration to Middle America." Among the judges comments: Groundbreaking. Shattered several stereotypes about Latino immigrants, putting into perspective the impact they are having on middle America.

Other finalists in the print category were Jesse Katz, reporter for the Los Angeles Times, for his story on Mexican icon Vicente Fernandez, "A Life's Passion," and Lee Romney, reporter for the Los Angeles Times, for her story "A Latino Internet Revolution."

An Honorable Mention was presented to Anthony Millican, reporter for the San Diego Union-Tribune, for his story about the early struggles of Latino immigrants in America, "A League of Their Own."

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. They are presented annually by CCNMA to journalists whose work is published or broadcast in the state of California. Those honored demonstrate excellence while contributing to a better understanding of Latinos by portraying the Latino community fairly and accurately.

Judging was done by members of the Dallas/Fort Worth Network of Hispanic Communicators.