Roland S. Martin is a contrarian when it comes to the news business. While most everyone else engages in much hand-wringing over the financial strains caused by the rise of the Internet, Martin views it as a rare opportunity.
"I've always had a much different view of the media today than many of my colleagues," Martin said Saturday before speaking in Tulsa. "Today is the greatest moment in history to enter the media. The walls have come tumbling down.
"The media have always been gatekeepers," Martin said. "If it was not published in the daily newspaper, if it wasn't on the nightly news, it didn't happen.
"Now you can be a housewife or a teenager in the middle of the country, and if you have an exclusive, you can take it nationwide. Worldwide."
Martin, in town for the National Association of Black Journalists-Tulsa awards dinner, is himself something of a one-man media conglomerate.
He is an author and columnist, appears as a commentator on CNN, and operates his own blog and web site.
A Texas native, Martin has also worked in newspapers and radio.
The access provided by the Internet, Martin said, is an opportunity for aspiring journalists. But in the end, some don't change.
"It's not just a matter of saying what you want to say," he said. "Everybody and their mama can publish something, but you have to have credibility. Personal integrity, that's what it comes down to."
Martin recently published a book, "The First: President Barack Obama's Road to the White House," which is a compilation of Martin's reporting on the campaign along with additional background information and interviews.
During the event, the Tulsa World received the Best Practices award for its web page on John Hope Franklin Park, race relations and the 1921 Tulsa Riot.
Omer Gillham of the World received a first-place award in the news series category for his stories on the Tulsa Police Department scandal.
Also receiving a first-place award was World photographer Cory Young, for "Marching the Dream."
Young also received a third-place award for his photo "Planting the Future."
Michael Smith received second place in the entertainment and criticism category.
By RANDY KREHBIEL World Staff Writer
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