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By DONNA BALANCIA – The 58th SoCal Journalism Awards Gala at the Biltmore was a great night honoring activists and journalists, with honorees ranging from war correspondents to environmental warriors taking center stage.
Nick Ut, was presented the Quinn Award for Lifetime Achievement by the famous subject of his photo, Kim Phuc. At the time he took the internationally known photo Phuc was a little girl. Now a grown woman, Phuc said she was deeply touched to present the award to the man who saved her life and whom she lovingly referred to as “Uncle Ut.”
Jarl Mohn, the president and CEO of National Public Radio, received the Los Angeles Press Club’s President’s Award.
The 2016 Daniel Pearl Award for Courage and Integrity in Journalism will go to Jason Rezaian, who served as The Washington Post’s correspondent in Tehran, Iran from 2012 to 2016. He was presented the award by the father of Daniel Pearl.
Erin Brockovich was on hand to receive the LA Press Club’s new Bill Rosendahl Public Service Award for Contributions to the Public Good. The award is named after former Press Club President and City Councilman Bill Rosendahl.
Broadcasters, digital and print media captured awards as an overwhelming selection of images and stories brought admiration, laughs and tears from editors and journalists at the Milennium Biltmore.
In describing the events that led to Ut’s Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph, Peter Arnett recalled that his friend took his photos, brought the girl to the hospital and saved her life before transmitting the photos that captured the attention of the world.
“I am so proud of you and I am so proud to be a part of your picture,” Phuc said to Ut, upon presenting the Quinn Award to Ut.
In addressing the journalists gathered for the event, LAPC President Robert Kovacik commended the group on remarkable achievements and a record 1,011 submissions — the highest in the more than 100-year history of the press club.
