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Washington Post Opinions Editor Karen Attiah Named NABJ’s 2019 Journalist Of The Year

Washington Post Opinions Editor Karen Attiah Named NABJ’s 2019 Journalist Of The Year

Karen Attiah
Karen Attiah, Global Opinions Editor, Washington Post. Photo vis Flickr: New America

Karen Attiah has used the power of her pen to impact the world for good and its earned her the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) 2019 Journalist of the Year Award.

As the Washington Post Global Opinions Editor, Attiah, 32, writes thought provoking pieces on international affairs and social issues including topics of race, politics, gender and Africa.

After the murder of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, whom she recruited and became friends with, Attiah wrote frequently about his death and the importance of the freedom of the press.

In a statement, NABJ president Sarah Glover said this exemplifies Attiah’s fearlessness and highlights the reason she was selected to receive the honor.

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“NABJ is proud to recognize Karen Attiah as the 2019 Journalist of the Year,” Glover said. “Karen has courageously used her commitment to her craft to provide thought-provoking commentary and insights that have led to positive dialogue and the visibility of issues that have not only impacted people of color and minority communities, but also journalists around the globe. I’m especially proud to see how Karen has propelled the tragedy of her writer’s death into a purpose-driven calling to further the cause for press freedom.”

Attiah will receive the award during the annual NABJ Annual Convention & Career Fair, to be held Aug. 7-11 in Miami. She said she “nearly cried” when she first received the news.

“This is a huge honor to receive the NABJ Journalist of the Year award. To be invited to be in the company of black journalists, writers and storytellers who have broken barriers and paved the way for me to be in this field is nothing short of incredible,” said Attiah, upon being notified of her recognition. “But most importantly, after the murder of my colleague and friend Jamal Khashoggi, this recognition is a humbling call to action –that I must help to honor his legacy by speaking and writing against oppression and injustice around the world.”