From the Publisher

By Elizabeth P. Valk

Less than two months into 1992, well before the opening of the main season for journalistic awards, and we have already bagged a big one. The American Society of Journalists and Authors has selected associate editor Richard Behar for its Conscience in Media Award, in recognition of his expose of the Church of Scientology in the May 6, 1991, issue. The award, honoring "those who have ^ demonstrated singular commitment to the highest principles of journalism at notable personal cost or sacrifice," has been conferred only seven times previously in the 17 years it has existed. Needless to say, we are delighted and proud.

But not terribly surprised. Awards are very far from anything new here. During 1991, in fact, TIME, its editors, writers, correspondents and photographers received 83 such accolades, more than any of our competitors. Most, of course, were for stories or pictures that appeared in 1990, beginning with the Jan. 1 issue. Its cover story on Mikhail Gorbachev as Man of the Decade was chosen by the Overseas Press Club to receive the Hallie and Whit Burnett Award as best general-magazine article on foreign affairs. The Overseas Press Club also presented its Olivier Rebbot Award for best photographic reporting from abroad to TIME photographer Christopher Morris of the Black Star agency for pictures published on the British poll-tax riots and the Liberian civil war.

Morris and his pictures for TIME won six other awards as well. Nor was he the only multiple winner. Senior editor Nancy R. Gibbs and senior writer William A. Henry III each wrote all or part of stories that bagged four awards.

The Unity Awards in Media from the Lincoln University of Missouri gave Gibbs' stories (one written with associate editor Anastasia Toufexis) first prizes for both economics reporting and reporting of politics. The fall 1990 special issue Women: The Road Ahead won four citations: one as a whole, two for design and one for the story "The Lesbians Next Door." Now maybe we've bragged enough -- for the moment. The start we're off to in 1992 -- well, wait till this year.