The City Hall media room where reporters gather to interview city leaders was named Tuesday after Daily News reporter Rick Orlov, who died a year ago after a lengthy career covering local politics.
Orlov was 66 years old when he died a year ago on Feb. 2, 2015, the same day an article with his byline appeared in the Daily News.
City Hall press corps reporters gathered to speak in tribute to Orlov’s life and career at a dedication ceremony that concluded with the unveiling of a plaque identifying the room as the “Rick Orlov Memorial Media Center.”
KNX-AM (1070) reporter Claudia Peschiutta said that while Orlov was frequently called the “dean of the City Hall press corps,” he was much more of a “big brother” to his fellow reporters.
Orlov was defined by his “humility,” despite being in an industry where “we take ourselves more seriously than our work,” Peschiutta said.
“Rick knew everything and knew everybody,” Peschiutta said. “And he was always willing to help us out. It didn’t matter if you were a new reporter or an old reporter, he always had time for you.”
According to the plaque, Orlov had covered Los Angeles City Hall for nearly three decades, starting during the administration of Mayor Tom Bradley. The plaque states that “his professionalism and commitment to ethical journalism earned him the respect and admiration of all.”
Orlov was known for his Tipoff column, which detailed the inner workings of City Hall and was considered a must-read by both politicians and observers of local politics. He was also called the “dean of the City Hall press corps” and was known for mentoring fellow reporters.
Orlov was recognized for his work in 1990 when the Society of Professional Journalists named him “Journalist of the Year,” and in 2009 when the Los Angeles Press Club gave him its Joseph M. Quinn lifetime achievement award.
–City News Service