ASU's Zócalo Public Square named finalist in multiple categories for SoCal Journalism Awards

Zócalo Public Square, a media enterprise of Arizona State University, has been named a finalist in nine categories for the prestigious 65th annual SoCal Journalism Awards.

The SoCal Journalism Awards recognize outstanding achievements in journalism across Southern California. In its debut year of participation, Zócalo is showcasing some of its recent storytelling and analysis that continue to reverberate within its public square platform, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The nominations span educational reporting, satire, sports commentary, investigative journalism, public affairs, political commentary, nonpolitical commentary and spiritual reporting.

The LA Press Club will announce the winners at an awards gala on June 25 at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.

"Zócalo’s remarkable presence as finalists in multiple categories for the SoCal Journalism Awards is a testament to its enduring impact,” said Mi-Ai Parrish, managing editor of ASU Media Enterprise. “Its ability to convene meaningful conversations aligns perfectly with the mission of ASU Media Enterprise. We are proud to support Zócalo's groundbreaking work and celebrate their continued success."

A week before the SoCal Journalism Awards, Zócalo will hold its own 2023 Book Prize event at ASU’s California Center. The June 15 event will honor this year’s Book Prize winner, Michelle Wilde Anderson, for her nonfiction book “The Fight to Save the Town: Reimagining Discarded America,” and the 2023 winners of Zócalo’s Poetry Prize.

Last year’s Zócalo Book Prize event — Will Americans ever be in this together? — featured winning author and social policy scholar Heather McGhee and is one of two Zócalo events named as finalists in the SoCal Journalism Awards category for Public Affairs. The other finalist event — How can women and girls win in Iran? — highlighted the ongoing struggle for gender equality in Iran.

The other Zócalo platform finalists are:

Educational reporting: "How rural schools survived the pandemic"

Investigative: "What would the end of mass incarceration mean for prison towns?"

Political commentary: "When the public narrative fails"

Nonpolitical commentary: "The Valley's last Camaro"

Satire: "Hey California, the peafowl isn't your scape-bird"

Spiritual reporting: "Keeping the kids' faith"

Sports commentary: "If you're Latinx, loving the Dodgers is complicated"

"It is a tremendous honor for Zócalo Public Square to be named finalists in multiple categories of the SoCal Journalism Awards," said Moira Shourie, executive director of Zócalo. "We are grateful for the opportunity to engage our audience in thought-provoking discussions and shed light on relevant issues thanks to the diverse perspectives of our contributors.”