NPR's Michele Norris Named Journalist of the Year by Black Journalists Group

NPR's Michele Norris Named Journalist of the Year by Black Journalists Group

WASHINGTON, April 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) named National Public Radio host Michele Norris Journalist of the Year at its spring Board of Directors meeting in Tampa. Norris will join other top honorees at the association's Salute to Excellence Gala, August 8, in Tampa.

"Michele had the best year hands down, one full of accomplishments," said NABJ President Barbara Ciara. "Journalists should look to people like Michele Norris, who shows that through determination, intelligent analysis and careful investigation come journalism's highest level of respect."

Michele Norris's recognizable voice as host of NPR's "All Things Considered" became ever-present during the network's election coverage. Her reporting was crisp, bold, assertive and heart-warming. Her insight and sensitivity to the African-American experience brought to the mainstream candid discussions about race and the impact of Barack Obama's election on the nation.

One of Norris' most successful 2008 election projects was her own idea to have Americans of different races sit down over a meal and have a comfortable, honest conversation about race. In more than 15 hours of conversations throughout the fall election season, voters in York, Pa. shared candid and revealing thoughts that were aired in six segments on "All Things Considered" and "Morning Edition."

Norris's analysis is also highly regarded by network news programs including NBC's "Meet the Press" and "The Chris Matthews Show," and PBS's "Charlie Rose."

Norris was also co-host of the two-hour NPR Presidential Candidate Debate from Des Moines, Iowa, the network's election night coverage and its inauguration day special coverage from the U.S. Capitol.

"At a time when media is re-defining its place, one thing will always be certain: excellent reporting stands out," said Ciara. "A reporter and news analyst of the highest regard, Michele's reporting during the election delivered great thought and perspective on race during Barack Obama's historic candidacy."

Norris won NABJ's 2006 Salute to Excellence Award for her coverage of Hurricane Katrina. She has also been honored with both an Emmy Award and Peabody Award for her contribution to ABC News' coverage of 9/11.

CNN's T.J. Holmes will host the 2009 NABJ Salute to Excellence Awards Gala on August 8, 2009 as part of the NABJ Annual Convention and Career Fair in Tampa, Fla. The NABJ Convention is the largest gathering of minority journalists in the country.

Salute to Excellence recognizes journalism that best covered the black experience or addressed issues affecting the worldwide black community during 2008. For more information, go to www.nabj.org.

An advocacy group established in 1975 in Washington, D.C., NABJ is the largest organization of journalists of color in the nation, with more than 4,100 members, and provides educational, career development and support to black journalists worldwide.

Source: National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ)

CONTACT: Abraham Mahshie, Communications Manager, National Association
of Black Journalists (NABJ), 866-479-NABJ, amahshie@nabj.org

Web Site: http://www.nabj.org/

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