SAN FRANCISCO, October 29, 2024 — The San Francisco Press Club announced it was giving its first-ever Integrity in Journalism Award to Mariel Garza, the former editorials editor of the Los Angeles Times.  

The San Francisco Press Club’s Integrity in Journalism Award is intended to honor California-based journalists who reflect the highest values of our profession, even in the face of personal adversity. The SF Press Club will welcome Mariel Garza at its annual Awards Gala on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at The Julia Morgan Ballroom, where she will  receive the award and address attendees. 

Last week, Garza resigned in protest from the California newspaper after owner Patrick Soon-Shiong blocked the editorial board’s planned endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for President. Garza said that decision “undermines the integrity of the editorial board.” Two more Los Angeles Times editorial board members, Robert Greene and Karin Klein, have since followed her lead and resigned. 

“I am honored to be recognized by the San Francisco Press Club,” Garza said.  “It’s particularly meaningful because this is the city where I first discovered journalism as an undergrad at SF State. There I learned the nuts and bolts of reporting, got my first bylines and was steeped in the guiding principle of speaking truth to power that ultimately led me to this point.”

“Mariel Garza epitomizes the best in journalistic integrity,” said Curtis Sparrer, the SF Press Club President.  “When Mariel Garza resigned, she made it clear that it’s not OK to be silent.  In fact, it’s complicit.  Journalists at the Washington Post followed her example, resigning their positions after the publisher suddenly changed its endorsement policy last week.  The San Francisco Press Club stands behind all journalists who stand up for truth.”

Garza joined the Los Angeles Times’ editorial board in 2015, and previously also worked for the Sacramento Bee and LA Daily News.  

ABOUT THE SAN FRANCISCO PRESS CLUB

The San Francisco Press Club is a nonprofit organization with 501(c)3 status. It was founded in 1963 to provide a forum for the interchange of ideas and opinions between professionals in the various news and public relations media, providing an organization in which to share fellowship, promote professional competence and knowledge, encourage students entering journalism by offering scholarships, and increase public knowledge of the media through workshops and other exchanges of information.

Contact

Curtis Sparrer, curtis@bospar.com