Award/lacter/april13/1stjc

The Los Angeles Business Journal has been named one of the top five business weeklies in the nation by the Society of American Business Editors and Writers.

The competition recognizes the best in daily and weekly business journalism for 1997.

In selecting the Business Journal, judges cited the general breadth of coverage, noting that “if you’re doing business in L.A., this newspaper would seem to be a must-read.”

The judges specifically praised May 19’s Wealthiest Angelenos special report. “Turning over almost an entire issue to probe L.A.’s wealthiest residents was a risk that paid off. There was great reading throughout, and the editors weren’t afraid to afflict the affluent with a piece on philanthropic laggards,” the judges wrote.

The four other business weeklies cited were the Atlanta Business Chronicle, the Business Journal of Charlotte (N.C.), Crain’s Chicago Business and the Denver Business Journal.

The SABEW contest was started in 1995 to help set standards and recognize role models in business journalism. More than 250 entries were received for the contest from daily newspapers, business weeklies and wire services.

Awards will be presented on April 26 at SABEW’s annual convention in Huntington Beach.