DENVER, June 23, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Longtime Denver Spanish-language journalist Rodolfo Jose Cardenas will be the recipient of the 2010 President's Award from the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.
A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=7653
The award will be presented at the NAHJ Hall of Fame Gala on Saturday, June 26, 2010 during the 28th Annual NAHJ Multimedia Convention & Career Expo, June 23-26 at the Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver.
The Emmy-winning Venezuelan newsman was a member of Univision Colorado from 1995 until his retirement in 2009. He also served as news director and an anchor of Telemundo's news team in Denver (KCEC) from 1989 through 1995.
"Rodolfo Cardenas has been a media mainstay in the Denver market for decades, compiling a record of accomplishment that makes him a natural for this year's NAHJ President's Award," said O. Ricardo Pimentel, NAHJ President. "As the Spanish-language population grew, Cardenas was key in keeping it informed and engaged. He gave voice to their stories and put faces to many of the issues that still vex us today.
"This award is deserved but not nearly enough thanks for what he has accomplished, on camera and off," Pimentel continued.
In April 2009, Cardenas became the first Hispanic journalist in Colorado to be recognized by the City and County of Denver with a proclamation for his successful career in Spanish-language broadcast journalism. In July of that year, he was also inducted into the Silver Circle of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for his 25 years of service to the industry, his pursuit of excellence and his passion, creativity and commitment to his profession.
In 2008, Cardenas – who has also taught at the University of Colorado at Denver -- became Colorado's first Hispanic journalist to be honored as Broadcaster of the Year by the Colorado Broadcasters Association. He was also recognized in 2002, 2003 and 2007 as one of America's most influential Hispanic journalists.
His other notable career highlights include exclusive interviews with two U.S. presidents as well as interviews with numerous North American and Latin American politicians and celebrated entertainers.
Cardenas is married to Elsa Monsalve-Cardenas and has two children, Rudy and David.
Also during that Gala, veteran journalists Ray Suarez, senior correspondent for PBS' "The NewsHour," and Gloria Campos, anchorwoman for WFAA-TV, Dallas' ABC affiliate, will be inducted in the NAHJ Hall of Fame. This event is being sponsored by the U.S. Army.
About NAHJ
Founded in 1984, NAHJ's mission is to increase the percentage of Latinos working in our nation's newsrooms and to improve news coverage of the Latino community. NAHJ is the nation's largest professional organization for Latino journalists with more than 1,400 members working in English and Spanish-language print, photo, broadcast and online media. NAHJ is a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization. For more information, visit www.nahj.org.
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=7410
