2008 Woodie Awards
Vote Absentee
BGSU alumna awarded journalism honor
By: Amanda Gilles
Issue date: 10/17/07 Section: Campus
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The National Association of Hispanic Journalists awarded 1980 University alumna, Rebecca Aguilar. as the Hispanic Broadcast journalist of the year at the 22nd Annual Noche de Triunfos Journalism Awards Gala in Washington D.C. on Oct. 4.
A member of the NAHJ for more than 20 years, Aguilar received the award for her significant contribution to the Latino community and her work in bringing awareness to issues affecting Latinos.
Helping her to stand out among the other 2,000 Latino journalists involved in NAHJ across the U.S. was her ground breaking career story when she discovered that registered sex offenders were delivering U.S. mail. Aguilar's story forced the U.S. Postal Service to create a policy nationally where workers who become registered sex offenders have to tell their supervisors.
She was nominated for the award by her peers; Gary Pina, an editor for the Fort Worth Star Telegram and NAHJ At-Large officer; and Sandra Gonzalez, a reporter for the Fox station in New Orleans.
"We didn't think of anyone else," Gonzalez said. "We chose her hands down for our nomination."
"I thought Rebecca was very deserving," Pina said. "Rebecca is tough, but fair. And she is not afraid to ask the tough questions; she's the consummate reporter."
For Gonzalez, Aguilar deserved this award, not only for extensive expertise as a journalist, but also for her guidance as a mentor. She said Aguilar helped her to find her career switch, and provided feedback with suggestions that helped Gonzalez to be the reporter she is today.
"She covered everything from live shots to my wardrobe," Gonzalez said.
Aguilar continues to mentor others through her work in various journalism workshops and fairs.
"In broadcasting, I think it's tough to find a mentor, but if you find one like Rebecca, you're on the road to success," Pina said. "She has the knowledge to help others, and it's not just in reporting, or getting the facts."
Along with the honor of Hispanic Broadcast Journalist of the Year, Aguilar has also received a collection of other awards. She has been the recipient of several Emmys with her first from the state of Arizona. She was also the 2005 Texas AP Reporter of the year for her postal service story.
A member of the NAHJ for more than 20 years, Aguilar received the award for her significant contribution to the Latino community and her work in bringing awareness to issues affecting Latinos.
Helping her to stand out among the other 2,000 Latino journalists involved in NAHJ across the U.S. was her ground breaking career story when she discovered that registered sex offenders were delivering U.S. mail. Aguilar's story forced the U.S. Postal Service to create a policy nationally where workers who become registered sex offenders have to tell their supervisors.
She was nominated for the award by her peers; Gary Pina, an editor for the Fort Worth Star Telegram and NAHJ At-Large officer; and Sandra Gonzalez, a reporter for the Fox station in New Orleans.
"We didn't think of anyone else," Gonzalez said. "We chose her hands down for our nomination."
"I thought Rebecca was very deserving," Pina said. "Rebecca is tough, but fair. And she is not afraid to ask the tough questions; she's the consummate reporter."
For Gonzalez, Aguilar deserved this award, not only for extensive expertise as a journalist, but also for her guidance as a mentor. She said Aguilar helped her to find her career switch, and provided feedback with suggestions that helped Gonzalez to be the reporter she is today.
"She covered everything from live shots to my wardrobe," Gonzalez said.
Aguilar continues to mentor others through her work in various journalism workshops and fairs.
"In broadcasting, I think it's tough to find a mentor, but if you find one like Rebecca, you're on the road to success," Pina said. "She has the knowledge to help others, and it's not just in reporting, or getting the facts."
Along with the honor of Hispanic Broadcast Journalist of the Year, Aguilar has also received a collection of other awards. She has been the recipient of several Emmys with her first from the state of Arizona. She was also the 2005 Texas AP Reporter of the year for her postal service story.
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 6
Newsguy
posted 10/18/07 @ 8:47 AM EST
Rebecca Aguilar was suspended from KDFW, Fox-4, on Oct 17, 2007.
Brandon
posted 10/18/07 @ 12:58 PM EST
Note that she was suspended for ambushing a 70-year old man, not allowing him to close his car door, and berating his 2nd amendment rights - all fine and dandy in the name of journalism. (Continued…)
tammy
posted 10/18/07 @ 1:20 PM EST
She is a sad hack "reporter" biased, wrong-headed and bullying. Her reports tend to be poorly researched, badly vetted, full of hype and untruth. She is a poster child for the kind of "reporters" produced through our lame jurno schools. (Continued…)
Kip
posted 10/20/07 @ 6:45 PM EST
You guys must be really proud of the antics of this particular Alumni.
In her anti-gun tyrade she failed to mention he has been robbed 42 times and the police had always arrived after the burgler was gone. (Continued…)
Trina
posted 10/25/07 @ 6:05 PM EST
What a joke! The only reason she got this award was because of some stupid liberals who voted for her. she just hammered a 70 year old man who had no way to defend himself! How was he to know that they were there only to steal???? WTF? How does someone this stupid win an award? Just look at that broadcast! I mean she hates this man its clear she is just a stupid moronic idiot! What a joke!
OMG
posted 11/08/07 @ 11:13 PM EST
OMG,I knew Rebecca when she was WHITE, what's all this about her being HISPANIC now? Could she NOT make it in the WHITE world? I did NOT attend the DIAMANTE AWARDS this year because she was the "guest" speaker. (Continued…)
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