In a celebratory event that included a cocktail reception and delicious three-course dinner, the National Press Foundation (NPF) celebrated bold and barrier-breaking journalists, who not only shared their journeys but encouraged fearless storytelling as a change agent for a stronger society.
The message at NPF’s 41st annual journalism awards dinner, held at the Ritz Carlton, Washington, D.C. in Northwest on Feb. 15, was clear: keep telling stories.
“This is a profession that we must continue, and in fact, we must recognize that it is one of the most important professions in the world, because this is the way that people learn about who they are, who their neighbors are, what this country is about,” said 2024 NPF honoree and trailblazing Washington Post reporter Dorothy Butler Gilliam.
While the event honored top-notch reporting, there was also ever-present conversation about the attack on journalism, such as the spread of misinformation, facing threats of violence and incarceration for truth-telling, and newsrooms closing from lack of funding.
Despite challenges in media, NPF promoted change and offered a glimmer of hope through celebrating its 2024 Widening the Pipeline Fellowship, a program designed to support people of color as journalists and leaders in newsrooms nationwide. This year’s cohort features 20 journalists from around the country, who were present for the event.
“If you’re ever feeling down about the state of media … talk to one of them for just a couple of minutes. Their intelligence, their ambition and their compassion give me and all of our staff hope every day,” said Rachel Jones, NPF’s director of Journalism Initiatives.
Honorees Offer Encouragement, Call to Action
The optimism about the future of journalism didn’t end with the Widening the Pipeline cohort members. The people and organizations honored at this year’s NPF awards dinner represent the many brave storytellers who combat assaults on journalism with facts for audiences to feel empowered. In their acceptance speeches, each honoree furthered NPF mission of making “good journalists better,” through encouraging words and calls to action.
Honorees included: NBC’s “Today” celebrated anchor and weatherman Al Roker; Evan Gershkovich of the Wall Street Journal; McClatchy VP of Local News Monica Richardson; Hannah Dreier of the New York Times; Tara Bahrampour of The Washington Post; Dave Altimari and Jenna Carlesso of the Connecticut Mirror; Bloomberg News staff; editorial cartoonist Jen Sorensen; Benjamin Oreskes, Kevin Rector, Noah Bierman, Melanie Mason and Cameron Joseph of the Los Angeles Times; The Washington Post; and Gilliam, who received the W.M. Kiplinger Distinguished Contributions to Journalism Award.
In a hilarious, joke-filled speech, Roker, recipient of the Sol Taishoff Award for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism, noted the major changes he’s seen in his five decades in news.
“This is my 50th year doing television weather… Yes, I was there when they invented the thing,” he joked. “But in that time, I have watched what was once considered a forecast of frivolity that was used to pack time in local newscasts, to reporting on things like climate change, what I consider the most existential threat for our planet… And that is what keeps me excited, the ever-changing role that weather and climate plays in our very existence.”
Roker, who was introduced by his wife Deborah Roberts of ABC News, also had a request for news editors as they tackle coverage surrounding artificial intelligence (A.I.).
“Would you put a dash between the A and I, because it looks like it says, ‘Al,’ and I don’t want to be blamed for the end of the world,” he said, garnering a roar of laughter.
Gilliam, who in 1961 became the first African American to report for The Washington Post, explained the ever-present importance of diversity in newsrooms across the nation.
“I can remember when I first came to The Post, when there were no people of color,” Gilliam recalled. “It was just a matter of time, by using all these methods of diversity, we were able to expand and to really, I think, make such a difference, not just in the lives of the people who were part of the story, but also part of this city.”
She said strong storytelling can promote positive change.
“[Audiences become] citizen activists. They read something that you have written or something that I have written, and taken action as a result of that. And I’ve seen that happen so often in my time as a journalist,” the barrier-breaker explained.
Gilliam suggested continued work toward diversity in newsrooms.
“For those who have not, I hope that you will really consider the importance of making diversity a part of your institutions, a part of your own lives, and a part of what can really be the future of this nation.”
Richardson, who received the Benjamin C. Bradlee Editor of the Year Award, emphasized the importance of brave storytelling as a means of strengthening the country and world.
“As journalists, we are called to be servants. We are called to fulfill a purpose that is embodied with a sense of collective community,” said Richardson.
She offered the crowd of storytellers an assignment to carry with them in their life and work.
“In my 30 years as a journalist, I’ve learned that the work we do truly matters, Richardson said, before offering a call to action. “Be bold about your purpose and your mission… to hold powerful people and institutions to account; to provide and deliver information that ultimately provides a sense of shared community in an increasingly pluralistic society.”
