Deepa Fernandes Awarded North Star News Prize for 2009

Written by Administrator Friday, 23 January 2009 11:37

Jan. 13, 2009 (New York, NY)--People's Production House is proud to announce that its founder and executive director Deepa Fernandes, has been chosen as a recipient of this year's North Star News Prize. The prize honors the accomplishments of journalists of color who have made a major contribution to the public's understanding of the struggle for social justice.

"I am honored and humbled to receive this prestigious award from the North Star Fund," said Ms. Fernandes. "This award is also a recognition of the outstanding work of my colleagues at People's Production House who for the past several years have been building a national media justice organization that is charting a new course in the world of media and journalism. In these times when for-profit-journalism is taking a hit, this award is recognizing our ability to impact mainstream opinions by bringing new voices and stories into the fast-growing field of community-based media production."

Ms. Fernandes is an award-winning journalist who has anchored most of the major national broadcasts for the independent Pacifica Radio Network. She also hosts the popular "Wake Up Call" morning program on Pacifica's WBAI in New York. Ms. Fernandes is the author of "Targeted--Homeland Security and the Business of Immigration" and her articles and investigative reports have been published in major publications such as the Nation magazine, the Village Voice and the Amsterdam News.

She was recently cited in 'Colorlines' magazine as a 2009 "innovator" for her pioneering work in media. "Our innovators are answering the calls for change from their communities by taking new approaches to the green economy, human rights, media and more," said Colorlines. Click here to view the article on the 'Colorlines' website, or download the pdf.

The North Star News Prize is awarded by the North Star Fund, named for the newspaper famed black abolitionist Frederick Douglass first printed in 1847. Along with noted New York radio journalist Carol Jenkins and author and hip hop critic Jeff Chang, Ms. Fernandes will receive her award on Thursday, January 15th at a breakfast reception at the offices of Skadden Arps LLP at 4 Times Square, from 8:30-10:30. The event includes a discussion on what progressives can expect from the new Obama administration involving Katrina vanden Heuvel, Laura Flanders, Maria Hinojosa and Joe Conanson.

To interview Deepa Fernandes, please contact Don Rojas at 212-334-7433 or 718-736-3218.