The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) announced at its spring Board of Directors meeting that NBC News and its local TV stations will receive the organization's annual Best Practices Award, and NBC Universal Executive Vice President Paula Madison will receive its Legacy Award. The honors will be recognized at the association's 35th Annual Convention and Career Fair in San Diego, the largest gathering of minority journalists in the country.
"NBC News and its owned and operated stations nationwide have done tremendous work promoting diversity in its management positions as well as in its coverage. NABJ has championed such issues in news for 35 years," said NABJ President Kathy Times.
"Best Practices" is the association's highest honor to a news organization -- annually awarded for its exemplary work in covering issues of significance to the black community or for its efforts in increasing diversity among its newsroom staff and management.
"According to NABJ's annual survey of broadcast news management, NBC Universal contains the most African-American Vice Presidents, General Managers, News Directors, Senior and Executive Producers in its Network News Division and in its owned-and-operated stations than any broadcast or cable network in the country," said NABJ Vice President-Broadcast Bob Butler.
"NBC Universal President and CEO Jeff Zucker's commitment is apparent in NBC's Network News and local news operations and is a model many media companies should explore," said Times.
Madison, Executive Vice President of Diversity for NBC Universal & Company Officer with General Electric, will receive NABJ's Legacy Award -- awarded to a pioneering black print, broadcast or photojournalist of extraordinary accomplishment who has broken barriers and blazed trails. At NBC Universal, Madison, a 34-year NABJ member and former board secretary, has worked with the company's business executives who have developed programs that mirror the diversity of their customers, clients and audiences.
Madison began her career as a journalist in print media and then became a television news manager. She worked her way up the corporate ladder to become a news director and eventually the president and general manager of the NBC station in Los Angeles, the second largest broadcast market in the country. Madison was the first African-American woman to become a general manager of a top five network-owned television station.
She was also the first person to hold the position of executive vice president of diversity at NBC Universal and is a member of its board of directors.
Throughout her career Madison has promoted the fair inclusion and representation of minorities in the media. She has built a reputation as a strong leader who is committed to quality journalism and community involvement.
"News organizations are encouraged to reflect the communities they serve. The management teams at NBC Universal's stations are the closest at meeting that standard among the major television groups," said NABJ Vice President of Broadcast Bob Butler. "NBC Universal has made a commitment to diversity that is reflected in all of its business units."
This year Madison and NBC executives will join other top honorees, CNN's Soledad O'Brien for Journalist of the Year, and NABJ Founder Paul Delaney for Lifetime Achievement.
NABJ's 35th Annual Convention and Career Fair will take place July 28-August 1 in San Diego, Calif. For additional information, ticket sales, registration, please visit us at www.nabj.org, or contact Ryan Williams at rwilliams@nabj.org or (301) 405-0248.
