Indian American Journalist Viji Sundaram receives the society of professional journalists award for a series on domestic violence in California for the San Francisco Public Press

Viji Sundaram, an Indian American journalist, was honoured by the Northern California chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) for a series of reports on domestic abuse in California for the San Francisco Public Press. An SPJ press release stated that the Indian American won a health reporting award for three stories from the series Coercive Control: Abuse That Leaves No Marks. It focused on broadening the definition of domestic abuse in California and its inconsistent application in family court.

The SPJ, formerly known as Sigma Delta Chi, is the oldest organisation representing journalists in the United States. The stated mission of SPJ is to encourage and defend the first amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and freedom of the press, promote high standards and ethical behaviour in journalism practice, and foster and support diversity in journalism.

Viji Sundaram’s profile on the Associated Press website mentions that she was a former health editor of New America Media in San Francisco and worked as a reporter for several publications, including India-West, the Cape Cod Times, the Providence Journal, and the New Bedford Standard-Times. She covered a wide range of topics, including immigration, crime, and social issues, especially relating to women. Sundaram has received many fellowships and won 11 journalism awards, including one for an expose on McDonald’s use of beef in its so-called vegetarian fries.

Furthermore, Sundaram co-founded Narika, a Berkeley-based helpline for South Asian women, and is a passionate animal rights activist. Her professional affiliations include the Association of Health Care Journalists, the South Asian Journalist Association, and Professional Journalists.