WASHINGTON NEWSCOUNCIL ARCHIVES 2001
| Gridiron West Dinner
a Big Success More than 300 people from this state's media, political, corporate, and non-profit worlds attended the Washington News Council's 3rd Annual Gridiron West Dinner "Toast" on November 11 at the West Coast Grand Hotel in downtown Seattle. The fun-filled event, which is fast becoming a not-to-be-missed post-Election Day tradition, combines spirited "toasting" with affectionate tributes to prominent journalists. The Council "toasted" Jean Enersen of KING-TV, Kathi Goertzen of KOMO-TV, and Susan Hutchison of KIRO-TV, Seattle's three favorite television anchorwomen. They were introduced by Dennis Bounds of KING, Dan Lewis of KOMO, and Ken Hatch, former president of KIRO. Videotaped salutes to the three women from Tom Brokaw of NBC News, Dan Rather of CBS News and Peter Jennings of ABC News were shown, along with a videotaped tribute -- filled with hilarious bloopers and outtakes -- produced by Larry Cali of the WNC and Ken Jones of KING 5. "Toasters" included Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray (by videotape), King County Executive Ron Sims, King County Councilman Rob McKenna, former Mayor Charley Royer, former Secretary of State Ralph Munro (with Karen and George Munro), Seattle Times columnist Jean Godden, and former anchor Mike James. Table hosts included the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, King County Journal Newspapers, Microsoft, and PEMCO Financial Services at the $5,000 level; Puget Sound Energy, Sandy Schoolfield & Jon Kechejian, State Farm Insurance and Weyerhaeuser at the $2,500 level; and Fisher Communications, The Gallatin Group, Merriman Capital Management, the Floyd and Delores Jones Foundation, Vulcan Northwest, The Frause Group, YWCA of Seattle/King County, The Weiss Company, The Benaroya Company and Starbucks Coffee Company at the $1,000 level. KING 5 Television, KIRO 7 Television, and KOMO 4 Television also provided major support for the event, along with Stimson Lane Wineries and State Farm Insurance, which printed the invitations and programs. David Horsey, Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, donated an original drawing for the invitations and programs. David Silverman, well-known Seattle actor/singer, was Master of Ceremonies, with Rich Gray on piano. Comedian Mike Egan of "Potlatch" dinner fame did the Opening Monologue and some introductions. Proceeds from the Gridiron West Dinner benefit the educational programs of the Washington News Council, including the Dick Larsen Scholarship Fund, which was established at the 1st Annual Gridiron West Dinner in 1999. The two winners of this year's Dick Larsen Scholarships -- Adam Faber of the University of Washington and Chris Chancellor of Washington State University -- attended the event. Each received a $2,000 scholarship in May. NOTE: At last year's Gridiron West Dinner, the WNC "toasted" legendary columnist Emmett Watson. Highlights from that event are included in a documentary on Watson produced by Jean Walkinshaw of KCTS-9 Television. SPJ Panel Discusses News Councils "News Councils: Controversial But Worthwhile?" That was the topic of a Panel Discussion on Saturday, Oct. 6, during the Society of Professional Journalists' National Convention in Bellevue. Panelists included Joann Byrd, Editorial Page Editor of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer; Geneva Overholser, Syndicated Columnist for The Washington Post Writers Group; Carol Nunnelly, American Society of Newspaper Editors' Credibility Project; and Cliff Rowe, Member, Washington News Council. The Panel was part of SPJ's "Project Watchdog," an effort to engage the public in dialogue about the role of journalism in society. A few quotes from the discussion: Joann Byrd: "The Washington News Council (has) done a lot of good work and is gaining credibility....I think (it's) making progress." Geneva Overholser: "I think we need to look for every way we can to raise credibility....Of course (news councils) are imperfect. But we're (the press) imperfect too." Carol Nunnelly: "Sunshine might be good for us." NOTE: A videotape of the 90-minute panel is available for $10. Please call or email to order. WNC Forum Debates Media's Wartime Role A WNC Public Forum on "The News Media During Wartime: What are Journalists' Rights and Responsibilities?" was held at Town Hall Seattle on Oct. 1. The event was broadcast by TVW. (Videotapes are available for $10, including postage and handling. Call or email us to order.) A distinguished panel included: Joel Connelly, Seattle Post-Intelligencer; Philip Gold, Discovery Institute; Slade Gorton, former U.S. Senator; Lt. Gen. James T. Hill, U.S. Army, Fort Lewis; Kim Murphy, Los Angeles Times; and Don Porter, KING 5 TV. It was a fascinating discussion of the difficult balance between national security needs and the public's right to know. |