2009 National Ethnic Media Awards Winners

Best Reporting on a Community Issue (TV)

Winner

"Farm Kids"
Vicky Gutierrez, KVEA Telemundo 52

Runner Up

"Bone Marrow"
Thuy Phan, Saigon Broadcasting Television Network

Honorable Mention

"DTV Transition"
Harry Liu, KTSF

Best Reporting on a Community Issue (TV)

Winner: Vicky Gutierrez, "Farm Kids," KVEA Telemundo 52 (Los Angeles, California)

In an investigation into the use of underage farm workers, Vicky Gutierrez examines the May 2008 death of pregnant 17-year-old Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez from heat stroke, two days after collapsing in a vineyard. Gutierrez interviews Maria Isabel's boyfriend, her uncle, and a lawyer for Merced Farm Labor, the company that employed her, investigating the claim that age was a factor in the girl's death.

"We came across this little girl who was pregnant, working in the fields, who was denied a break, she was denied water and she ended up at the hospital," says Gutierrez. "When she felt ill in the field where she was working, they didn't let her family take her to the hospital, or call 911, because they knew that they would be in trouble because she was underage."

In interviews with current farm workers, including one boy who appears to be underage, "Farm Kids" probes the case of Maria Isabel in the context of the continued use of underage workers in California's agricultural fields. "Unfortunately, what we saw in this story is still happening right now in the fields of the whole country, not only California," said Gutierrez. "There are lots of kids, underage minors, who are not only working, but are being abused."

The case of Maria Isabel sparked a crackdown on farm labor contractors across California for failing to provide adequate shade and water for farm workers, and for employing underage workers. In April 2009, three former operators of Merced Farm Labor were charged with involuntary manslaughter in Maria Isabel's death.

Gutierrez began her journalistic career in 1989 with FOX Channel 11 and worked her way up from newsroom receptionist. She got her first position as a reporter at Telemundo and is currently a member of the news analysis show, "En Contexto."


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    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.