WASHINGTON, DC – The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) has announced the 2015 regional winners of the Edward R. Murrow Awards. The awards recognize the best electronic journalism produced by radio, television and online news organizations around the world.
This year, RTDNA awarded 673 regional Edward R. Murrow Awards in 14 categories.
KARK and Fox16’s combined Arkansas Storm Team effort during the April 27, 2014 tornado outbreak won two awards for Breaking News and News Documentary.
“I couldn’t be more proud of our team and their life-saving coverage during last year’s tornado outbreak,” said KARK and Fox16 News Director Austin Kellerman. “These awards highlight their commitment and passion to serving our community.”
The Breaking News award featured live coverage from the first 12 hours following the tornado, highlighted by meteorologists Keith Monahan, Jeff Baskin, Greg Dee, Pat Walker and Natalie Walters.
The News Documentary was awarded for “Through Our Eyes.” The 55-minute piece showcased raw footage and interviews from KARK and Fox16’s tornado coverage. Interviews with KARK and Fox16 journalists who covered the storm were also included. Proceeds from sales of the documentary were distributed to tornado victims through the United Way of Central Arkansas. You can watch the documentary here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfQKIg-HNnw&feature=youtu.be
“At a time when news reaches people in so many ways, these awards become even more meaningful,” said RTDNA Executive Director Mike Cavender. “It is a tangible reminder of the high quality local journalism being done across the country.”
Regional winners automatically advance to the national Edward R. Murrow Awards competition, which will be judged in May. National awards, including those for network news organizations, will be presented at the RTDNA Edward R. Murrow Awards Gala at Gotham Hall in New York City on October 12.
