By Brett Callwood
GVN longtime editor Gary Kohatsu was honored at the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)’s Distinguished Journalist Awards at an event on the evening of Wednesday, October 7.
Surrounded by colleagues from the GVN and the Culver City News, for which he also serves as editor, Kohatsu was honored alongside Dr. Paulette Brown-Hinds (Black Voice News), Christine Devine (FOX11), Mariel Garza (Golden State, former LA Times), Mina Kimes (ESPN), Larry Wilson (Southern California News Group), Ann Burroughs (President and CEO of the Japanese American National Museum and its National Center for the Preservation of Democracy), and student journalists Blake Fagan and Nikki Yunker. The latter has studied under Kohatsu, making the evening all the more special.
The keynote speaker for the 50th anniversary event was Monica C. Lozano of LA Local and formerly of groundbreaking Spanish language newspaper La Opinión.
“Gary Kohatsu has spent more than three decades proving that extraordinary journalism happens in community newsrooms,” reads his biography in the event program. “An award-winning photojournalist, editor and educator, Kohatsu began his journalism career at the Gardena Valley News in 1989 as a photographer and sportswriter, and became editor just two years later. Over a remarkable 35-year career, he has chronicled the people, stories and defining moments of the communities he serves through both words and images.”
“Today, Kohatsu serves as editor of both the Gardena Valley News and Culver City News sister publications of Integrity Newspapers, Inc,” it continues. “His commitment to the next generation of journalists led him to establish an internship with El Camino College and later teach photojournalism there for 12 years. Through decades of reporting, photography, leadership and mentorship, Kohatsu has remained steadfast in his belief that local stories matter and that strong community journalism is essential.”
Master of Ceremonies Frank “The Voice of Business News” Mottek announced the award, and Linda Rosas, Integrity News’ senior vice president, presented it to Kohatsu while heaping praise on his years of quality work and commitment to the cause.
While accepting the award, Kohatsu took time to thank Integrity owner and president Daniel Verdugo for saving the Gardena Valley News when he took it over in 2005, and called him to the stage.
Ultimately though, the night was all about Kohatsu and the other recipients of the honor.
