2009 National Ethnic Media Awards Winners

Best In Depth/Investigative (English)

Winner

"To Have and to Hold"
Kai Ma, KoreAm Journal

Runner Up

"New Beginning"
Chris King, St Louis American

Honorable Mention

"Murder & Mourning in Baton Rouge"
Anish Majumdar, Little India

Best In Depth/Investigative (English)

Winner: Kai Ma, "To Have and to Hold," KoreAm Journal (Los Angeles, California)

When Californians passed Proposition 8, banning marriage between same-sex couples, the media started to point to African Americans for helping pass the measure. Kai Ma wondered, "Where are Korean Americans in the mix?"

Ma, who joined the staff of KoreAm Journal last May, learned that while 54 percent of the Asian American Community in Los Angeles had supported Prop. 8, a whopping 72 percent of Korean community voters favored the initiative. Knowing that the story could not be told in mere percentages, Ma pitched her editors on what would become "the most important story I've ever done."

"We felt it was important to explore not just where we stood on Prop. 8, but what it said about our identities as Koreans, as minorities, as immigrants, as Christians, as gays and lesbians," says Ma.

Her story looked at how Prop. 8 sparked division and debate in the Korean community, which is heavily Christian and immigrant, but also has a growing, young, pro-gay rights demographic. There were even Korean ministers who opposed Prop. 8.

Ma, who had previously freelanced for such media outlets as PBS and The New York Times, found her major challenge was "getting people — especially pro-Prop. 8 people — to talk to me on the record. Pro-Prop. 8 people didn't want to appear anti-gay. Anti-Prop. 8 people didn't want to appear anti-Christian."

Ma found many surprises. "The Yes on 8 campaign got back to me right away and linked me to their Korean American liaison," says Ma. The official No on 8 campaign never returned her calls.

"The most important realization I've made as an ethnic media reporter is accepting that your community is not going to always like you — and that's okay," notes Ma. "It's an unusual and unique role, being a member of a community while also covering it. It's your job to be critical."


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Testimonials

About NAM's First National Ethic Media Awards
Washington, D.C., 2006

Hillary Rodham Clinton

I want to congratulate the honorees who are receiving the equivalent of the “Pulitzer Prize.” Every generation brings so many voices to the debate. Ethnic media represent the way the new Washington needs to connect to the new America.

Len Downie, Executive Editor, Washington Post

I was very pleased that I could be at the awards ceremony. New America Media is a very significant journalistic organization and you are doing important work.

Michael Jack, VP of Diversity, NBC Network

Congratulations for pulling off such a successful event. It is not easy to do anything for the first time, but you managed to do just that. The well deserving recipients truly appreciated the acknowledgement.

Brant Houston, Executive Director, Investigative Reporters and Editors, Inc.

Thanks for including us in this great project.

Lorena Hernandez, Bay Area Director of Communications, Comcast

Congratulations on the successful National Ethnic Media Events in DC!

Juliet K. Choi, National Partnership Development Senior Associate, American Red Cross

Congratulations on a beautiful inaugural Ethnic Media Awards – and kudos for getting Senator Clinton to show!

Julie H. Sun, Corporate Relations and Housing Outreach Manager, Freddie Mac

We were very happy to be engaged.

Pat Lawson Muse, Anchor, NBC4

Congratulations for pulling off such a successful event. Many of the stories that generated awards were so moving. The well de- serving recipients truly appreciated the acknowledgement.

Anna Lefer, U.S. Programs Program Officer, Open Society Institute

Congratulations on a hugely successful awards ceremony. After scanning the crowd of journalists and executives from ethnic and mainstream media, elected officials, international dignitaries and diplomats, and DC insiders, it is quite clear that NAM is a part of the political fabric down in DC.

Pam Larson, Executive Vice President, National Academy of Social Insurance

Being part of NAM’s gathering and associated events was a true honor and thrill for us! . . . You’ve got a real eye for the future -- and for making a better “present” for many people, too!

Ellen Hume, Senior Research Fellow, UMASS Boston

Congratulations to everyone. Our delegation just met here at UMASS Boston to recount how inspiring the NAM awards and work- shops were. Everyone is glowing.

Jon Funabiki, former deputy director of the Media, Arts and Culture with Ford Foundation

New America Media truly has changed the nation by bringing the power of ethnic news media into focus and making people take notice. NAM has changed the course of history.