Fifteen Annenberg Media stories — from an in-depth portrayal of a homeless student's struggles to finish high school to an Annenberg TV News segment on the Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill — were honored as finalists for the 58th SoCal Journalism Awards from the Los Angeles Press Club.
Annenberg Media is a student-run media organization that produces "compelling and informative stories stretching from Los Angeles to the world." The organization combines mobile, social media, digital video, web, television, audio and public relations teams that work together to cover news, community, politics, sports and entertainment and more. Annenberg Media operates out of the Julie Chen/Leslie Moonves and CBS Media Center at Wallis Annenberg Hall.
Stories were recognized in categories from hard news to personality profiles to investigative and educational reporting.
"We’re thrilled to learn that the Los Angeles Press Club has recognized the work of our journalists. The nominations reflect both the breadth and depth of their multimedia reporting," said Willow Bay, Director of the School of Journalism.
Stacy Scholder, professor of professional practice in journalism and an Annenberg Media Center faculty advisor, cited how important it is Annenberg's student journalists are able to compete against other journalism professionals across multiple platforms. The student pieces are nominated in categories alongside notable outlets like the Los Angeles Times, LA Weekly, KTLA, and KPCC, among others.
"I hesitate to call them student journalists," Scholder said. "The truth is they are journalists, they're just younger and less experienced. We try to set the bar really high for them and I think this is a testament to the fact they are covering big, important stories and doing quality work as they’re doing it."
The goal of the Media Center is to give practical experience to student journalists, said Martha Daniel, executive editor of the Annenberg Media Center (BA Print and Digital Journalism ‘17).
"Students walk away from their time there knowing how to set up an interview, how to do a good interview, how to produce and publish content that blends right in with the professional media," Daniel said. "The real world of news right now demands that journalists be multi-talented. We don't want people to silo themselves."
Last year, USC Annenberg students were recognized with 55 Los Angeles Press Club nominations.The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony June 26th. Here is the complete list of 2016 finalists.
The nominations are as follows:
"Attending School as a Homeless Child" — Annenberg Media: Stassy Olmos — Educational Reporting (All Media)
"Hip Hop Heals: USC Dance Crew Helps Children's Hospital Los Angeles" — Annenberg Media: Cameron Quon —Videographer (Television)
"California Participates in Great Shakeout" — Annenberg Media: Alex Janin — News (Television)
“From Where We Are” — Annenberg Media: Martha Daniel — Talk/Public Affairs
"Inglewood Censorship" — Annenberg Media: Sara Tiano and Celeste Alvarez — Hard News
"Can Predictive Policing Decrease Crime?" — Annenberg Media: Kevin Walker — Hard News or News Feature (Radio)
"Ndume Olatushani Discusses Finding Peace in Prison"— Annenberg Media: Rasha Ali — Personality Profile/Interview (Radio)
"Price of Sex at USC" — Annenberg Media: Nathaniel Hass — Investigative (Online)
"Accused Killer's Mom Recalls A Troubled Life" — Annenberg Media: Olga Grigoryants — Personality Profile/Interview (Online)
"To Be or Not To Be: An Arts President" — Annenberg Media: Ryan McRee — Political Column/Commentary (Online)
"Scenes from A Women's World Cup Viewing Party" and "USC Wins the Battle of LA, Advances to Pac-12 Championship" — Annenberg Media: Paolo Uggetti — Sports News or Feature (Online)
"Sarkisian Just Another Low Point Among Many for USC" — Annenberg Media: Paolo Uggetti — Sports Commentary (Online)
"Alcoholism at USC: A Safe Place" — Annenberg Media: Madison Mills — Best Reporting (Youth Media)
"What It's Like to Be A Police Officer on Skid Row" — Annenberg Media: Stassy Olmos — Best Reporting (Youth Media)
