AAJA Announces Lifetime Achievement and Other Special Award Winners

Media Contact:
Janice Lee
415-346-2051
JaniceL@aaja.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SAN FRANCISCO (June 26, 2008) - The Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) today announced the winners of its 2008 special awards. AAJA will present the awards on Friday, July 25 during its gala scholarship and awards banquet at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, as part of the 2008 UNITY: Journalists of Color Convention.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Dith Pran, a photojournalist with The New York Times until his death earlier this year, was known worldwide for his stories of survival from the horrors of the Khmer Rouge in the late Seventies when millions were killed in Cambodia. He had been an active member of AAJA for many years, with his name on a perpetual trophy recognizing the year’s best photojournalists.

This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated courage and commitment to the principles of journalism over the course of a life's work, as well as dedication to issues important to the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

Special Recognition Award

Simon Li, assistant managing editor at the Los Angeles Times until his retirement last summer, has dedicated his 42-year newspaper career to coverage of Asian and Asian American issues and to breaking stereotypes inside and outside of the newsroom. His personal financial support of AAJA has demonstrated his dedication to the organization by promoting fair and accurate coverage, encouraging young people in journalism, and increasing news leadership opportunities for Asian Americans.
   
Leadership in Diversity Award

Dori Maynard has helped open doors for hundreds of minorities as newsroom leaders. As president and chief executive officer of The Robert C. Maynard Institute for Journalism Education, she heads an organization that teaches journalists to recognize the “fault lines” of race, class, gender, generation and geography in newsgathering and coverage.

About AAJA

The Asian American Journalists Association is a non-profit professional and educational organization with approximately 2,000 members today. Founded in 1981, AAJA has been at the forefront of change in the journalism industry. AAJA's mission is to encourage Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) to enter the ranks of journalism, to work for fair and accurate coverage of AAPIs, and to increase the number of AAPI journalists and news managers in the industry. AAJA is an alliance partner in UNITY Journalists of Color, along with the Native American Journalists Association, National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and National Association of Black Journalists.

For more information about the AAJA special award winners or AAJA, visit the awards page or www.aaja.org.

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