Virginia Creighton’s Work in the Streets Earns Press Club’s Highest Praise

Virginia Creighton of ABC 10 holding the Harold Keen Award from the San Diego Press Club. San Diego Monitor News

By San Diego Monitor News Staff

San Diego — This week, the San Diego Press Club quietly honored one of the city’s most trusted and authentic storytellers, Virginia Creighton of ABC 10News. While the national spotlight often overlooks local journalism, Creighton’s recognition is a reminder that some of the most meaningful work in media happens right here on the streets of San Diego.

Creighton has built a remarkable career by going directly into communities that have long felt unseen or unheard. With a camera slung over her shoulder and a genuine curiosity about people’s lives, she’s earned trust where others have struggled to be welcomed. Residents who once turned away from reporters now open their doors when they see her approach—not because she asks for their story, but because she listens first. Her journey in the industry has been marked by persistence and heart. Starting out as a field journalist and photojournalist, Creighton learned early that the best stories rarely unfold behind a desk. Over the years, she’s become known for her ability to humanize complex issues—homelessness, immigration, youth challenges—by showing the faces and voices behind them. She has earned the respect of colleagues and community leaders alike for portraying people with dignity rather than sensationalism.

"Unlike many who chase the breaking headline, Creighton has made it her mission to cover what happens after the cameras usually leave: the rebuilding, the resilience, the quiet victories. Her work in East County, the South Bay, and along the border has captured the daily realities of San Diegans who too often feel forgotten by mainstream coverage" new Publisher of the San Diego Monitor News and civic advocate Shane Harris said Thursday in a statement.

The award she received this week from the San Diego Press Club recognizes a career defined not just by technical skill, but by connection. For years, she has treated journalism as a partnership between the storyteller and the community—a philosophy that has changed the way many in San Diego see the media.

At the awards ceremony, Creighton’s remarks reflected her grounded approach: “I believe the camera has to earn its keep—it has to be there for more than the spotlight. It has to be there for the story, the person, the community that expects you to show up again.”

In an era when trust in journalism is fragile, Virginia Creighton’s work stands out as proof that authenticity still matters. Her recognition may have come quietly, but its message rings loud: good journalism begins with empathy, patience, and the willingness to listen.