SPJ/LA Mourns the Loss of Veteran Los Angeles Daily News Reporter Rick Orlov

The Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists mourns the loss of veteran Los Angeles Daily News reporter Rick Orlov, who died Monday of diabetes complications.

"The Los Angeles journalism community has lost one of its best, who will be truly irreplaceable,” SPJ/LA President Navid Nonahal said. “SPJ/LA extends its condolences to Rick’s family and colleagues.”

Orlov, a past SPJ/LA Distinguished Journalist Award recipient, covered local politics at the Los Angeles City Hall for several decades, and through the years, earned a reputation as “dean of the City Hall press corps” both for his long experience, and for his generous mentoring and fatherly advice to younger reporters.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti noted that all of City Hall was in mourning, and City Council President Herb Wesson has announced plans for a motion to name the media room behind City Council chambers in Orlov’s memory. We agree that this would be a fitting tribute to one our most dedicated, respected, and much-loved journalists.

The Society of Professional Journalists is the nation’s largest and most broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to promoting high standards of ethical behavior and encouraging the free practice of journalism. Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. The Greater Los Angeles professional chapter celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2009.

Contact: Navid Nonahal, SPJ/LA SPJLosAngeles@gmail.com

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