TV/Online Journalism Awards
AAPI Excellence: Hiding in Plain Sight
Aarne Heikkila | The Today Show
ABOUT THE PROJECT: In an investigative piece examining how the human trafficking epidemic has continued to grow in the United States, producer Aarne Heikkila accompanies correspondent Jacob Soboroff to Los Angeles suburbs to talk to victims directly. Through raw footage, the insidious ways the issue has been allowed to fester under the noses of government agencies and advocacy groups are picked apart.
JUDGES’ REMARKS: Purposeful. I appreciate that the producer made use of the visuals that were immediately available, and didn't try to represent trafficking by using dramatized video. The storytelling is done in a unique way. A lot packed into a relatively short piece. Nicely done.
Aarne Heikkila is a coordinating producer with MSNBC and NBC News based in Los Angeles. He works primarily with correspondent Jacob Soboroff covering Immigration, Politics & Government.
He began his career at NBC News 15 years ago as a News Associate, a fast-track program designed to train minorities for careers in producing.
General Excellence: From Duck to Hero
Michael Yam | Pac-12 Networks
ABOUT THE PROJECT: This moving segment highlights the heroic act of former Oregon Duck wide receiver Keanon Lowe during an active shooter incident at Parkrose High School in May of 2019. Reported on by host Michael Yam, the tribute connects his football career to his decision to become a high school coach, and even further to his rapid and fearless response when a student brought a firearm onto the campus.
JUDGES’ REMARKS: Excellent local and regional story. Well-told, well-researched, and compelling. The storytelling arc was strong.
Mike Yam joined NFL Network in 2020 and serves as a news anchor. Yam can be heard regularly on SiriusXM radio, as well as serving as the play-by-play voice on Intel Sports' coverage of the NFL, college basketball and golf on its True View product since 2017.
Prior to NFL Network, Yam spent nine years as the lead studio host for Pac-12 Networks, anchoring numerous pre and postgame shows for the networks' football and basketball programming, weekly news programs and sport-specific podcasts. Yam also spent four years at ESPN where he served as a SportsCenter anchor and contributed to the network's NBA, college football and college basketball coverage.
Additionally, Yam previously was a frequent voice on ESPN Radio and NBA TV studio host. A graduate of Fordham University and winner of the Marty Glickman Play-by-Play award, Yam began his broadcasting career hosting "One-on-One" on WFUV radio in New York.