Amy Goodman

In recognition of her unrelenting efforts to bring important information to the public; her commitment to provide the political and economic context for news; her tenacious pursuit and questioning of those in power; her resolve to resist the market forces that would sacrifice public enlightenment for private profit. Amy Goodman is a shining example of what a reporter with a nose for news and a sense of justice can accomplish. She has confronted dictators and presidents and challenged corporate predators and government spin doctors. Her reporting is inspired and guided by a deep and abiding concern for the oppressed and the disadvantaged of the planet. Her drive to expose misdeeds and promote solutions to problems exemplifies the grand tradition of muckraking reporting that is practiced too little in the newsrooms of today's world.

She produced an award-winning documentary about the Indonesian military's massacre of 250 East Timorese people. She was beaten by Indonesian soldiers when she attempted to stop this horrific attack. She also received the George Polk Award for co-producing the documentary, Drilling and Killing: Chevron and the Nigerian Military Dictatorship.

Amy Goodman's greatest contribution, however, is her daily challenge of corruption, cowardice and absolute power. She uses her radio show Democracy Now! to amplify the voices of those that are rarely heard and to bring that which is taboo or censored to her listeners. The slogan of Democracy Now! is "the exception to the rulers" - and Amy Goodman's mission is to present the stories that make those who misuse power uncomfortable by spotlighting overt misdeeds and heartless acts of omission.

She brooks no restraints on the delivery of the news that matters most, even when it puts her in conflict with those who run news organizations. She is a reporter with many causes, an unwavering moral compass and a clear piercing voice amidst the cacophony of news sound bites.