2009 National Ethnic Media Awards Winners

Best Reporting on a Community Issue (Radio)

Winner

"Teacher’s Responsibilities vs Survival Instincts"
Cindy Yip & Otis Fang, Sing Tao Radio

Runner Up

"Mass Exodus of Hispanics from North Carolina"
Alejandro Manrique, Qué Pasa

Best Reporting on a Community Issue (Radio)

Winner: Cindy Yip & Otis Fang, "Teacher's Responsibilities vs. Survival Instincts," Sing Tao Radio (San Francisco, California)

After reading a blog post by a 33-year-old Chinese high school teacher who abandoned his students and fled for his life in last year's Sichuan earthquake in China, radio anchors Cindy Yip and Otis Fang decided to launch a moral discussion of human nature versus teachers' responsibilities with the Cantonese speaking audiences in the Bay Area.

The lively discussion went well beyond the issues of responsibility and survival; it also addressed the survival of traditional Chinese culture within globalization and modernization.

"The fact that the teacher decided to share his experiences on one of the most popular blogs in China without admitting any shame or guilt really shows how much traditional Chinese values have shifted and are ignored by the younger generation," says Yip.

Fang says he learned a lot from hosting this particular call-in program. "It was inspiring to hear how many in the audience openly criticized the teacher, while others argued to defend him," he says. "I used to be more subjective when I hosted a discussion, but now I have learned to be more open-minded."

Yip, a former high school teacher herself, is one of most experienced radio producers and anchors in the Bay Area's Chinese community, having been involved in broadcast journalism for 17 years. She says the call-in program has always been an important channel for her community. Many listeners choose to voice their perspectives through Yip and Fang's program because they can express themselves freely in Cantonese. Yip has also been a Cantonese news anchor on television Channel 38 in the Bay Area.

Fang has been in the broadcast industry for four years, including stints as program host for the Cantonese shows "Good Morning Bay Area" and "FanC Club." He has won an award for Outstanding Program Production from the Northern California Chinese Media Association.


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  • Teacher's Responsibilities vs. Survival Instincts
    Cindy Yip & Otis Fang, Sing Tao Radio

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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.