Recognizing Excellence in Journalism

AAJA began its first National Awards competition at its second national convention in San Francisco in April 1989. AAJA National Awards recognize and encourage excellence among Asian American journalists and outstanding coverage of Asian American issues.

Listed are the first place winners for 2005:

Television: Unlimited Subject Matter

Sue Kwon, Reporter, CBS 5, San Francisco
"DNA Heritage"

Television: Asian American Issues

David Ono, Anchor, KABC-TV, Los Angeles
"Generation Lost"

Online: Unlimited Subject Matter

Ben de la Cruz, Senior Videojournalist, TheWashingtonPost.com
"Out of the Rubble, A Public Housing Drama Rises"

Online: Asian American Issues

John Nania, Editor In Chief, the Epoch Times
"The Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party" series

Radio: Unlimited Subject Matter

Ruby de Luna, Reporter, KUOW Public Radio, Seattle
"Lefse, Rice & Fry Bread: A History of Washington Through Food"

Radio: Asian American Issues

Dmae Roberts, Executive Producer, MediaRites Productions (Portland, OR)
"Messages"

Print: Unlimited Subject Matter (TIE)

Tracy Jan, Staff Writer, The Oregonian (now with The Boston Globe)
"Life on $9 an Hour"

Alison Overholt, Associate Editor, Fast Company magazine
"Thinking Outside the Cup"

Print: Asian American Issues (TIE)

Amy Waldman, Foreign Correspondent, The New York Times
"The Clash of Cultures" series

Noreen O'Donnell and Marcela Rojas, Reporters, The Journal News (White Plains, NY)
"Immigrants in Suburbia" series