R.I.P. David Shaw

Transported this from the old blog:

Saturday, August 13, 2005

R.I.P. David Shaw
Upon return from vacation I was saddened to learn of the passing of one of my favourite journalists. David Shaw wrote for the Los Angeles Times for 36 years as an investigative reporter, media columnist and most recently as a food and wine writer. David Shaw died on Monday August 1st of complications from a brain tumor which had been discovered in late May.

Shaw won the Pulitzer Prize in 1991 for his searing 4 part report on the McMartin Pre School Molestation case, a report in which he criticized much of the media including his own newspaper. His constant vigilance against abuse within his own medium was well noted.

"We are in the age of transparency in journalism," said Tom Rosenstiel, director of the Project for Excellence in Journalism and a former colleague of Shaw's at The Times. "David was the first guy outside washing the windows."

As a food and wine reporter Shaw was passionate without being fawning and never bowed to trends or conventions, his work will be missed and I urge anyone who has an interest in good food, good wine or just good writing to seek out David Shaw's work.