Staff to be recognized during 2022 National Native Media Awards Banquet Aug. 27
NORMAN, Oklahoma — The Native American Journalists Association (NAJA) has selected the Navajo Times as the recipient of the 2022 NAJA Elias Boudinot Free Press Award, which recognizes a publication or media outlet that has shown dedication and commitment to upholding freedom of the press, information and transparency on Turtle Island.
The Navajo Times was selected for their long-term dedication to press freedom within the Navajo Nation and beyond.
“As ‘the newspaper of the Navajo people,’ we accept this honor as a salute to our efforts to serve the Navajo people. Our staff labors every week to produce a quality publication with news that serves the public good. Your award shows us our efforts are welcomed and appreciated. We share this honor with the Navajo people, for whom we exist and serve,” Navajo Times Editor Duane A. Beyal said.
The 2022 NAJA Awards Committee specifically recognized the contributions of recently retired CEO and Publisher Tom Arviso in the ongoing effort to protect and expand press freedoms for the independent outlet. Arviso was also the 2021 NAJA-Medill Milestone Achievement Award winner.
“Thank you to the members of NAJA’s major awards selection committee for your time and consideration in deciding our 2022 major award winners. It was not an easy deliberation process again this year,” NAJA President Francine Compton said.
The Navajo Times will be recognized during the 2022 National Native Media Awards Banquet Aug. 27 as part of the 2022 National Native Media Conference Aug. 25-27 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Phoenix.