Category Archives: Off Camera

KITV In Honolulu Hiring Brenden Nakamine as News Director

Posted on by

KITV In Honolulu Hiring Brenden Nakamine as News Director

Brenden Nakamine taking on the News Director role at KITV in Honolulu (https://www.linkedin.com/in/brenden-nakamine-32889944/)

By Pamela Young

A familiar face in the Bay Area is getting ready to take the helm of the newsroom at KITV in Honolulu. Former KRON Assistant ND Brenden Nakamine has been named the new News Director. 

After graduating from Cal State Northridge, Nakamine cut his news teeth at KGTV San Diego as a Senior Producer, and KTNV Las Vegas as EP. After 2 years at KRON he moved to WHAS Louisville, Kentucky as Assistant News Director. Nakamine will start at Allen Media’s KITV at the end of July.

Reporter/anchor Rick Quan is saying aloha to KITV for the second time. The veteran newsman started his broadcast career in Arkansas before joining KITV in 1980.

Seven years later he crossed the pond to anchor sports at KPIX. The Bay Area kept Rick busy with sports and community stories for 3 decades before
he returned home for another stint at KITV. This time he is leaving the set to pursue his true passion: documentaries about Asian-Americans.

A Wide Aperture of Award Winners at the 53rd Annual Northern California Area Emmy® Awards Gala

Posted on by

A Wide Aperture of Award Winners at the 53rd Annual Northern California Area Emmy® Awards Gala

Photographer Mike Moya took a very wide shot of all the Emmy® recipients in San Francisco on June 15th, 2024

Photographer Mike Moya was able to capture the wide shot everyone wanted to be in after the 53rd Annual Emmy® Gala in San Francisco. 

362 Emmy® statues were handed out to 260 individuals.

A total of 1,106 entries were received, 913 English and 193 Spanish in 77 English Categories and 27 Spanish Categories. Nomina ons were announced on May 14th with 235 English and 56 Spanish entries.

For a full list of all the winners, click HERE. 

KSEE24 Fresno Anchor Announces Retirement After 42 Years on the Desk

Posted on by

KSEE24 Fresno Anchor Announces Retirement After 42 Years on the Desk

KSEE24 Anchor Stefani Booroojian

KSEE24 news anchor Stefani Booroojian announced her retirement from the Fresno NBC station on her Facebook page.

Booroojian has anchored at the station for over 42 years.

According to the station’s website, Stefani has award-winning experience, having earned four Emmy’s® and a number of Associated Press awards. She has enjoyed more than 40 years at the station and is proud of having participated in BuddyCheck 24 breast cancer-awareness stories and events since 1996. She has travelled to Armenia numerous times to bring back stories of local doctors’ medical missions with The Valley’s Armenia specials. Her education stories promote teachers’ and students’ characters and accomplishments.

Celebrated Bay Area Chef Narsai David Has Died at the Age of 87

Posted on by

Celebrated Bay Area Chef Narsai David Has Died at the Age of 87

By Kevin Wing

Celebrated Bay Area Chef Narsai David, who was a regular weekly fixture during the early years of KTVU’s “Mornings On 2” throughout the 1990s, has died at the age of 87.

David’s passing was announced on KCBS Radio, where he had been the station’s Food and Wine Editor since the 1980s.

Born to Assyrian parents in South Bend, Indiana, David grew up in Turlock, in the San Joaquin Valley. There, he developed a passion for food from his mother, who taught him how to can peaches. By 1970, he had opened his own restaurant, Narsai’s Restaurant in Kensington, near Berkeley.

Narsai’s Restaurant became a destination for a budding culture of people who now call themselves “foodies” and David became an originator of farm-table cuisine. He fed rock royalty such as the Rolling Stones, and actual royalty from the United Kingdom. That led to a Bay Area TV show, newspaper columns and, eventually, a show on KCBS Radio in San Francisco beginning in the 1980s.

In 1991, David began appearing on the then-new “Mornings On 2” on Oakland’s KTVU, appearing each week in the Jack London Square studios, providing TV viewers with recipes and cooking tips. His segments were immensely popular. David would appear on the morning show throughout the rest of the decade.

During his culinary and media career, David became one of the Bay Area’s most recognizable and well-known chefs.

2024 Governors’ Awards Recipients Announced

Posted on by

2024 Governors’ Awards Recipients Announced

From left to right: Patty Zubov, Jim Jakobs, Tom Vacar

By Brooks Jarosz, NATAS Chapter President

I’m thrilled to announce the recipients of The Governors’ Award and The Governors’ Citation, which will be presented at the 53rd Annual Northern California Area Emmy® Awards Gala this Saturday, June 15, 2024, at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square.

The Board of Governors of the San Francisco/Northern California Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) considered several candidates at our April meeting. Please join me in congratulating these outstanding and well-deserving media professionals.

The Governors’ Award is the highest and most prestigious award a local chapter can bestow. A golden Emmy® Statuette is given to recognize excellence and unique accomplishments through the years. There is the possibility of one award, more than one award, or no award.

This year, The Governors’ Award recipient is legendary and longtime KTVU reporter Tom Vacar. He has tirelessly worked in television and radio for more than four decades. In his 31 years at KTVU, Vacar calculates he has covered more than 8,000 stories. That includes covering every major disaster, business, economics, and consumer affairs. He is widely regarded for his syndicated Great American Toy Test.

Vacar got his start in Los Angeles at KGO TV and KGO Radio in 1979. He moved to KCBS-TV and KNX News Radio in 1985 before moving to KTTV in 1988. He has been a fulltime staff member at KTVU since 1991. Vacar recently told his colleagues and viewers he “never wants to call in sick because he doesn’t want to miss anything.” His passion and dedication to seeking the truth, and delivering important information and perspectives is unyielding. Vacar is also an advocate and major supporter of our Chapter.

Recipients of The Governors’ Citation are recognized for similar accomplishments as The Governors’ Award, but to a lesser extent. The award recognizes individuals, organizations, or companies that do not fall within the structure of the Chapter’s regular area awards. This year, our Chapter will award two Governors’ Citations!

The first recipient of The Governors’ Citation is Patty Zubov. She has served on the Board of Governors for more than a decade, first as Marketing Chair and now as Membership Chair. She has expanded member benefits, brought back the Mentor Match program, helped establish a Diversity Committee, and planned several market-focused networking events. Since 2001, Zubov has run her own production company, Platonic TV, based in San Francisco, and produced numerous documentaries and specials for major television networks.

Zubov has also served as a mentor to her fellow board members. Her listening ear and team approach has aided in promoting our Chapter and recruiting new members and sponsors. 

The second recipient of The Governors’ Citation is Jim Jakobs. Since 2021, he has been news director at KMPH FOX26 in Fresno. He previously worked as a multimedia digital content producer for GVWire.com during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Jakobs has also held management roles at KFSN-TV in Fresno, KOCO-TV in Oklahoma City, and KCRA-TV and KOVR-TV in Sacramento.

Jakobs has quickly become a valuable board member, leading our Mentor Match program for the past two years. He has also taken over writing, editing, and posting nearly daily to the Chapter’s Off Camera Blog and assisted in delivering content to the Chapter’s social media channels.

Congratulations to all recipients of these esteemed awards. I hope you will join me in honoring these three distinguished professionals when the awards are presented at the 53rd Annual Northern California Area Emmy® Awards Gala this Saturday, June 15, 2024.

Sacramento Journalist Taking Leave Following Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Posted on by

Sacramento Journalist Taking Leave Following Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Sacramento CapRadio Insight Host Vicki Gonzalez is taking a leave of absence after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

Vicki posted a message to her professional Facebook page to share her battle with the audience.

“There’s really no way to ease into this. At least not for me. So, here we go.

Two days after my 40th birthday, I found a lump in my breast. I went to the doctor the very next day. And that discovery expanded into six biopsies across both breasts — which I learned is quite a lot.

When the doctor called with the results they said it was a mixed diagnosis.

But the headline that immediately shaped my life is that I have breast cancer that spread to my lymph nodes.

Frankly, I had a false sense of security when it came to breast cancer — because of my age and also because breast cancer doesn’t run in either side of my family.

I am supposedly “healthy” on paper – free of underlying health conditions and normal lab work.

When I expressed to the doctor that my diagnosis felt rare given my age and health, they quickly interjected and went on to explain that every week they have people in their 20s and 30s getting diagnosed with breast cancer.
Every week.

Health care can be excruciatingly frustrating and expensive for too many people. And the weight of barriers is often scaled according to a societal formula of income, class, race, ethnicity, immigration status, language, ableism, as well as sexual and gender identity. It can be far from an environment that nourishes putting your health first.

I am sharing my cancer diagnosis with a larger message: When possible, get screenings and checkups. Urge the same of loved ones. Talk about it. And please, advocate for yourself if something feels off. Even bring the compassionate backup of a loved one who can ask questions you might not think of and take notes while you’re just trying to take it all in, as the flood of information tries to swallow you up whole.
Breast cancer will not become my dark tunnel. I face this knowing there is still a great deal to look forward to in my life. And I soak in all the warmth and beauty and love there is to offer. So much love.

I am in good hands. Talk soon.”

War Coverage Panel Highlights Factual Reporting, Balanced by Contexts and Diverse Views Is Crucial

Posted on by

War Coverage Panel Highlights Factual Reporting, Balanced by Contexts and Diverse Views Is Crucial

The panel webcast, ‘Navigating Tensions in War Coverage,’ organized by the NATAS [National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences] San Francisco / Northern California chapter’s DEI Committee, featured the expertise and compelling perspectives of former veteran television war reporters, news and law enforcement leaders, through the lens of the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises in the Middle East.

This, alongside reverberations at home, including tensions in America’s college campuses and newsrooms.

This latest digital dialogue event streamed live on YouTube and X last May 30th. It’s a follow-up to a previous virtual forum that focused on the dangers and psychological impacts of war reporting, presented by the chapter’s Diversity Committee last November 2023, in the wake of the onset of the Israel-Hamas War.

Speakers highlighted key checklists and frameworks to guide reporters, editors and producers in covering the multi-layered contexts, including historical, geopolitical, religious and others, of the conflict.

The panel event demonstrated the vital role of conversations that challenge ideas, but are grounded in respect especially for differing views, and in listening. These strengthen the national discourse on issues, and our democracy. 

NATAS SF/Northern CA Board of Governors-DEI Chair Odette Alcazaren-Keeley opened the webcast sharing that this latest panel event is part of the ongoing initiatives of the chapter’s DEI Committee, delivering on its diversity, equity and inclusion mission. She explained that as before, this digital dialogue is anchored on DEI and Belonging, “as a pivotal framework that profoundly grounds a newsroom culture which steers journalists and news leaders towards inclusive coverage, in our primary journalistic mission of the relentless pursuit of truth. It sharpens the lens by which news is covered.” “It strengthens a coverage culture driven by accuracy, balance, cultural competency and respect for diverse perspectives. This includes the lens of journalists of color, whose work are focused on factually reporting on issues, but whose diverse gaze provide nuance and deeper understanding of issues,” she added. 

Alcazaren-Keeley further explained that DEIB is seen as a “contributing force in building more powerful and nuanced storytelling. It is crucial in the coverage of war. One of the crucial roles of the DEIB framework is that it guides reporters, editors, producers and newsroom leaders in choosing sources, as well as voices that need to be balanced in covering issues, especially in conflict zones.” 

Moderator Prof. Bob Rucker, former CNN National News Correspondent – San Francisco, highlighted key developments of the Israel-Hamas War in the past several months that have “created a shocking humanitarian and safety crisis… raising tensions and triggering global protests especially in America’s college campuses.”

He kicked off the discussion with former international war correspondents, Adam Housley, former war reporter for Fox News; and Lisette Poole, former Middle East Journalist for the AP and Times of London who had lived and worked in the region. They shared their respective experiences and guidance in line with covering the conflict, especially its myriad contexts. They shared why feelings on both sides run deep and fuel mistrust.

Jim Jakobs, News Director, KMPH FOX26-Fresno encouraged reporters to have discipline on research to gain deeper understanding on contexts, including relevant history of issues. This is one of his mentorship pillars as a journalism leader who also fosters the growth of the newer generation of media professionals in the station and for members of the NATAS SF/NoCAL chapter. Jim encourages early career journalists to read as much material as they can from a broad perspective and across the globe including the New York Times (Free access with library cards), BBC, NPR, and local online papers. 

Jakobs shared a clip from one of their newscast’s recent reports, on a peaceful pro-Palestine demonstration at Fresno State University. This local perspective is vital to the dialogue across the country and runs counter to some of the national narrative that implies all the protests are the same. As this piece from Fresno shows, there were no takeovers of buildings, altercations, arrests or negative contact with police officers. It demonstrates the power local journalists still have in reporting on truth in communities outside of major cities.

Alcazaren-Keeley agreed, citing that KMPH’s news report is an example of the power of local journalism in bringing diversity to news coverage and the national dialogue on issues. It contributes towards the full picture behind the headlines, and also shows how people are expressing their sentiments, across cities and regions.”

Anthony Mata, Investigations Bureau Chief, Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office and Former Chief of Police, San Jose, CA asserts that law enforcement members need to be “well-informed and well-tuned into what’s going on in the world because we can walk into something that could be a normal call, but not knowing the background or history can create some issues.”

Additional contributors to this virtual panel event via pre-recorded statements were: Talal Alenezi, who lives in the Middle East and works for the Ministry of Information in Kuwait. He has traveled the world and earned his masters degree in Mass Communications from San Jose State University. Alenezi says people in his country are alarmed and troubled by the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Trevin Smith, a San Francisco Bay Area native who first studied journalism at San Jose State University. In recent years, Smith earned his masters degree from Columbia University in New York, an epicenter of  war protests in American college campuses.He offered thoughtful insights on the thinking of students there, and on the TV industry’s need to evolve its social media outreach, including using far more innovative approaches to reach young people.

During the discussion and her closing remarks, Alcazaren-Keeley, whose main post is Maynard 200 Fellowship Program Director of the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education, also shared that a resource training program that can aid in shifting newsroom culture, including coverage, management and collaboration, is the institute’s signature DEI and Belonging framework, Fault Lines®. 

It emboldens news leaders to acknowledge and dismantle personal and embedded biases, prejudices that can influence the direction and content of news coverage. The fundamental question of this training: ‘Are you a dismantler of systemic racism?’ is centered on the main Fault Lines® of race, gender, sexual orientation, generation, geography and class, as well as fissures such as religion and politics. 

Full Panel Roster: 

  • Professor Lisette Poole – Former Middle East Journalist, Associated Press and The Times of London / Journalism Communications Lecturer, CSU East Bay
  • Adam Housley – Former War Reporter, Fox News, Former Reporter, KCPM NBC Chico and KTXL Sacramento /Former Board of Governors Member, NATAS SF/NorCAL
  • Anthony Mata – Investigations Bureau Chief, Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office / Former Chief of Police, San Jose, CA
  • Jim Jakobs – News Director, KMPH FOX26-Fresno/ Formerly at KCRA, KOVR, Sacramento and KNTV, Bay Area /Board of Governors Member, NATAS SF/NorCAL
  • Moderator: Professor Bob Rucker, Former CNN National News Correspondent – San Francisco, Journalism Professor and Director Emeritus, SJSU / Board of Governors Member, NATAS SF/NorCA
  • Diversity Chair, NATAS SF/NorCAL: Odette Alcazaren-Keeley Director, Maynard 200 Fellowship Program, Maynard Institute for Journalism Education

Both Adam Housley and Lisette Poole recommended books during the panel event that they believe can provide additional insights to journalists covering the Middle East conflict. Poole added further resources included in this list:

War Without End: Israelis, Palestinians, and the Struggle for a Promised Land by Anton La Guardia

What Price Israel? by Alfred Lilienthal

  •       The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine. By Rashid Khalidi
  •       The Lemon Tree. An Arab, a Jew, and the heart of the Middle East by Sandy Tolan.
  •       In Search of Fatima: A Palestinian Story. By Ghada Karmi
  •       Out of place: A memoir. By Edward  W. Said.
  •       I saw Ramallah. By Mourid Barghouti
  •       The biggest Prison on Earth. By Ilan Pappe
  •       Ten Myths about Israel. By Ilan Pappe
  •       Abraham: A journey to the Heart of three faiths. By Bruce Feiler
  •       Strangers in the House. By Raja Shehadeh                                                                                               

This panel webcast is a resource support to NATAS SF/NorCAL members, and is a news source as well to the broader journalism community and the public. Members and all those interested in the chapter’s DEI Committee work, can suggest future topics, share their insights or ask questions via the chapter president’s email address: brooks@emmysf.tv. In your email message please include the words: For DEI Committee OR Re: DEI Committee War Panel – so they can be relayed accordingly.                                                                                                                                                                                

KRON Adds 4PM Newscast and Promotes Weekend Anchor to Weekdays

Posted on by

KRON Adds 4PM Newscast and Promotes Weekend Anchor to Weekdays

Nexstar Media Group, Inc., owned and operated CW affiliate, KRON4, in San Francisco (DMA #10), launched a new 4 p.m. newscast June 3rd and added to its weekday team of experienced journalists.

With the addition of the 4 p.m. newscast, KRON4 now delivers continuous local news coverage each weekday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

KRON4’s weekend anchor Dan Thorn joins the weekday evening team that includes veteran Bay Area journalists Vicki Liviakis, Grant Lodes, and Noelle Bellow who joined the evening team in September 2023. Chief Meteorologist Lawrence Karnow, Sports Director Jason Dumas, and Political Anchor Catherine Heenan complete the KRON evening team.

KTVU Bids Fond Farewell to Julie Haener

Posted on by

KTVU Bids Fond Farewell to Julie Haener

Julie Haener joined KTVU on June 2, 1997, and for over 27 years, she has been a cornerstone of our newsroom

Long-time KTVU anchor Julie Haener announced her retirement Monday, according to a memo from the station’s News Director.

“Haener joined KTVU on June 2, 1997, and for over 27 years, she has been a cornerstone of our newsroom, delivering the news with dedication, professionalism, and integrity. Throughout her career, Julie has won 9 Emmys and been a beacon of excellence, always striving to provide accurate and fair reporting to our viewers,” the memo stated.

In her own words, Julie says, “After much consideration, I’ve made the difficult decision to end my career at KTVU and step away from broadcasting. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to have worked at one of the most respected television stations in the country, covering and delivering the news to viewers in such a culturally rich and diverse place as the Bay Area. I’ve worked with some of the best and most professional journalists in the business and will greatly miss my co-workers. Why step away? I simply want more time to spend with my family and friends. I’m ending one long chapter and excited to begin another. Let’s go!!!!”

Haener’s final sign off will be Thursday, June 20th.

53rd Annual Emmy® Gala Quickly Approaching, Here’s Your Etiquette 2024 Checklist

Posted on by

53rd Annual Emmy® Gala Quickly Approaching, Here’s Your Etiquette 2024 Checklist

The Emmy® Gala this year recognizes Videographer Ken Day by auctioning a Hummingbird painting in his honor courtesy Joyce Mitchell

By Joyce Mitchell

The Emmy® Awards Gala is getting closer and closer. Saturday, June 15th. We’ll see you at 5:00 when doors open for the no host reception at the San Francisco Hilton. The ceremony begins this year at 6:30 PM and will be livestreamed on our website at emmysf.tv  –  tell friends and family to watch.  See you then!

 

Honoring our work in television, the NorCal Emmy® Gala is approaching quickly…Saturday, June 15th.    No host reception starts at 5pm.  Lots of photo opportunities and a complimentary tasting of Wente Vineyards wines.  The ceremony starts at 6:30.  It’s YOUR Day – and will be memorable!

 

The 53rd Annual Emmy® Gala awaits the opportunity to honor excellence. Nominees, recipients, friends and family, post your ceremony updates on social media with the #EmmySF.  Do you have your tickets?

 

Emmy® Etiquette – as the 53rd Annual Emmy® Gala quickly approaches, please be courteous of others. If you are a designated speaker, you have 30 seconds only. We can’t wait to see you in San Francisco. Do you have your tickets? Buy them HERE.

 

Excitement builds for the Emmy® Gala at the San Francisco Hilton. Remember, if you are honored with an Emmy®, you will approach the stage using the stairs closest to where you are seated as your clip is playing. And don’t forget to share with family and friends on social media with the #EmmySF

 

Just wait for the President’s report this year at the 53rd annual Emmy® Gala at the SF Hilton. Hold on to your seats because there will be an historical surprise coming your way!

 

The Emmy® Gala this year recognizes Videographer Ken Day by auctioning a Hummingbird painting in his honor. Day died 3 months ago – and said he wanted to return as a Hummingbird. Original oil on canvas. 18 x 24.   Proceeds will go to the NATAS Scholarship Fund.