Quite an honor to be judged by your peers, more of an honor to be trusted to judge them. I am so pleased to be on the judging panel for this years News & Documentary Emmy Awards. While journalism has always held the highest post for me in the power of media, now, more then ever, it is so important, and threatened.

Emmy Judge Roberto Serrini

The films that are nominated this year stretch all concepts, themes, and subjects; what unites them is a clear determination to tell the hard stories in ways that challenge our perception of our world. At best, this is the greatest goal of journalism. At worst, it only raises eyebrow. Either way, it is an immense accomplishment to craft a story out of reality, and tell it with dignity, honestly, and still maintain a viewpoint to extend the perception of those that view it.

While I have never attempted to win an Emmy, I consume as much media as possible through all platforms. I think journalism can happen everywhere, vertical or horizontal, in motion or in stills. I don’t think you need providence to judge the world around you, you need an open mind, and well worn shoes that carry with them the gift of perspective. It’s a real magical time to witness the absolute best give new perspective to the world.

I’m bothering to announce this for one reason: those that judge you can, and are, everyone around you. We put ourselves out in the world in various mediums to connect with others. That to me is what it is to be human. The things we make, the words we write, the sentiments we send out into the world are judged by us all, and at our very best we are constantly conscious of that, and know the gift having the freedom to speak our minds truly is. Let us never forget that freedom, and never stop fighting for it if we must.