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2003 MEDIA AWARDS COMPETITION
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Carolyn James
Named Outstanding
Long Island Journalist
by Press Club of Long Island
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Weekly newspaper editor and publisher. Mentor to young
journalists. Tireless advocate of Freedom of Information and
Open Government laws. Carolyn James, co-owner of ACJ
Communications and Executive Editor of the Massapequa Post,
Amityville Record and Babylon Beacon newspapers, will be
honored June 19 at the Woodbury Country Club with the
Outstanding Long Island Journalist Award, the Press Club of
Long Island's highest honor.
Carolyn is one of the best-known journalists on Long Island
thanks to her many years as a weekly newspaper journalist
and her work with the Society of Professional Journalists.
"Having had the pleasure of working with Carolyn on the
Press Club board longer than anyone else still serving --
more than 20 years -- and also having worked with her when I
was SPJ regional director, I can't think of anyone more
deserving of the honor than Carolyn," said PCLI vice
president for print Bill Bleyer, a Newsday reporter. "She is
always been willing to help out with anything, including
handling registration at our recent SPJ regional conference
in Port Jefferson. On the regional level, she created the
first newsletter for the chapters in the Northeast as deputy
regional director. She has been a firm advocate for a free
press and the First Amendment while always remaining a calm
and positive presence."
Carolyn stepped down earlier this year from the PCLI board
after serving more than two decades, including two years as
president.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, she worked as a legal secretary
before raising five children. She restarted her career with
a focus of journalism, a passion she held since childhood.
In 1992, she and her husband Alfred, a retired Suffolk
County Police Officer, purchased the Amityville Record and
Massapequa Post newspapers, bringing them back into family
ownership. The Record is celebrating its 100th anniversary
in 2004, and the Post has been publishing for 52 years.
In 1998, the couple expanded their business and purchased
the Babylon Beacon newspaper.
Carolyn is the New York State Sunshine Chair for the
National Society of Professional Journalists and has taken
the lead on freedom of information issues in the state for
more than five years.
She is currently pursuing a philosophy degree at Dowling
College in Oakdale. |
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