St. Paul native Libor Jany named Journalist of the Year by the National Association of Black Journalists

By: Meghann Oglesby

Star Tribune public safety reporter and St. Paul native Libor Jany has been awarded the 2021 Journalist of the Year award by the National Association of Black Journalists. 

Jany began coverage of the Minneapolis Police Department in 2014 and has since written more than 1,400 stories for the Star Tribune. His 2020 reporting on the killing of George Floyd and the subsequent unrest that followed didn’t only catch the attention of the National Association of Black Journalists; in 2021 Jany was also named Journalist of the year by the Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists and received an award for journalism excellence from the Twin Cities Black Journalists (TCBJ). His work helped the Star Tribune win the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News.

Jany is an active member of the local organization Twin Cities Black Journalists, and according to TCBJ President Nicole Norfleet, “Libor worked around the clock to keep readers across the world informed on the racial reckoning happening within the Twin Cities, and with his breadth of knowledge and contacts, he continues to provide the context needed to continue to tell the story. Libor’s humility and sense of purpose is remarkable, and he is just one example of the hardworking journalists of color within our state who continue to fight for the comprehensive coverage of our Black community. We are so proud Libor has been recognized nationally for his tireless work.”

Jany graduated from Highland Park Senior High in St. Paul and later obtained an undergraduate degree from Mississippi State University.

NABJ held a virtual awards ceremony on Saturday, December 4th during which Jany was recognized alongside other winners and hall of fame inductees. Watch the video here.