On December 8 in Mexico City, Stephen Lendman received the prestigious Journalists Club of Mexico's (Club de Periodistas) annual International Journalism Award at an elaborate internationally broadcast ceremony on television and radio.
Distinguished guests attended, including Mexican and foreign journalists, media representatives, and others.
A representative of Mexican President Filipe Calderon was present to deliver his prepared remarks, congratulating recipients.
The event was extraordinary in all respects. I was told it's the truth-telling journalistic equivalent of Hollywood's Oscars.
All recipients got a certificate and medal draped over our heads like an Olympiad winner.
Mostly Mexican and other Latin American journalists were honored. Two North Americans only were invited - Stephen Lendman from America and Mahdi Nazemroaya from Canada.
Both got a chance to speak briefly on international television to all Latin America. Our remarks were translated.
Lendman's opening comment was:
Today, this gringo from north of the border is proud to call himself a periodista.
Translated it means journalist. But for the Mexican Journalist Club it's much more.
They hold annual events. Next year will be their 60th anniversary. Each year they honor journalists for their contribution to truth.
Lendman commented:
I'm truly overwhelmed, deeply honored, and extremely humbled to have been invited to participate. I'll treasure what happened forever, won't ever forget its meaning, and will try always to live up to it.
