ImpreMedia writer wins NAHJ Journalism Award.

Gardenia Mendoza Aguilar of impreMedia’s La Opinión has been selected winner of the coveted  “Guillermo Martínez-Márquez Award for Latin American Reporting” for her revealing look into the dangerous trek by Central Americans crossing through Mexico to get to the United States.

Her series, “La ruta del terror”, delves into the painful and sometimes deadly journey of immigrants as they confront abuse, rape, and unimaginable physical demands as they travel through Mexico. Judges for this year’s National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) awards observed that Mendoza Aguilar covered angles often forgotten or denied about the human trafficking of Central Americans across Mexico. “The stories read like a serialized novel that showed the plight of immigrants and the participation of certain authorities in the illegal business, including those who look the other way from human rights abuses.”

“Beyond being a recognition of my work as a journalist, this is an opportunity to shed light on the inhumane treatment Central American immigrants receive on their journey North,“ commented Mendoza Aguilar. “This award from the NAHJ demonstrates once again that impreMedia is synonymous with high quality journalism reflecting the lives of Latinos seeking a better life”, stated La Opinión publisher, Monica Lozano.

The NAHJ Journalism Awards honor Latino journalists for excellence in their specialized fields of work or any journalist for their outstanding coverage of the Latino community. For more information and the judge’s comments on the winners, click on http://www.nahj.org/awards/2009/09awardwinners.shtml