(2005-11-17) — The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) today announced that it had selected Bob Woodward of The Washington Post as ‘Mr. Run Amok 2005′.

The award goes to the male American reporter who has “made the greatest advancements in evading the bondage of domineering editors and operating as a free agent within an existing mainstream media newsroom,” according to an SPJ news release.

New York Times reporter Judi Miller was recently recognized as ‘Miss Run Amok.’

Mr. Woodward earned the recognition for keeping secret from his editor his own involvement in the CIA leak scandal for two years, even when what he knew could have undermined part of the case against vice presidential chief of staff I. Lewis ‘Scooter‘ Libby, who awaits trial on a five-count indictment.

“Bob earned the Golden Steno Pad as Mr. Run Amok 2005 not just by deceiving his boss,” said an unnamed spokesman for the award committee, “What we admire is how he walked away from Executive Editor Leonard Downie Jr. without even a slap on the wrist for sitting on one of the biggest stories of the year. That’s what a franchise player can do. It’s time to start calling it The Woodward Post.”

The SPJ’s highest honor includes exclusive use of the title, Mr. Run Amok, for one year, a $100,000 unmonitored expense account, and unedited posting privileges at the the society’s Run Amok blog.