The United Nationas had its award dinner for corresponsents covering it. Benny Avi of the New York Sun noted some interesting aspects:

The black—tie affair, which at times had an eerie Titanic feel to it, celebrated "serious" journalism, which describes the important work the United Nations does around the world, as opposed to attacks by what U.N. spokesmen now refers to as "certain media," which uncover less—than—golden qualities in the blue organization.

None of the prize—winning work, it was proudly asserted from the stage, dealt with the oil for food scandal. And, as the presenters stressed over and over again, the winners of the print journalism award, a Wall Street Journal team, were not from "that Journal" — the editorial page. (The prize—givers must have skipped a great September 24 story on Kojo Annan by winners Steve Stecklow and Jess Bravin. Oops.)