PUBLIC RADIO SHINES IN REGIONAL RTDNA EDWARD R. MURROW AWARDS

This week the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) announced 654 regional Edward R. Murrow Awards in 14 categories. According to RTDNA, there were more than 4,300 entries, setting an all-time record for the fourth year in a row.

NPR News stations won over 65% of the radio awards in two categories: Smaller markets and Larger markets in each region. Notable winners include:

• KUT-FM in Austin, Texas was tops in large market radio, winning seven regional Murrow Awards, including News Series, Writing and Overall Excellence.

• KRTS Marfa Public Radio in Marfa, Texas took home eight Murrow Awards in smaller market radio, including Overall Excellence, News Series and News Documentary.

 

• PRX and The Center for Investigative Reporting received six Murrow Awards for episodes of Reveal.

A complete list of the winners is available at [link]. 

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 and for students, will be announced in June. The national awards are presented at the RTDNA Edward R. Murrow Awards Gala at Gotham Hall in New York City on October 10.

SALUTING SMALL MARKET EXCELLENCE

In addition to KRTS Marfa Public Radio, other public radio newsrooms in smaller markets got the recognition they deserve.  Some of my favorites are:

• KBIA, Columbia, Missouri won a Murrow Award for Overall Excellence in its region. KBIA’s website [link] also won top honors.

• South Dakota Public Radio won seven regional Murrow Awards.

• KBSX Boise Public Radio won five Awards.

• Other smaller markets shops winning more than one Murrow Award include Wyoming Public Media; KCLU, Thousand Oaks, California; KUNC, Greeley, Colorado; North Country Public Radio, Canton, New York; and Vermont Public Radio.

MY FAVORITE: MARFA PUBLIC RADIO’S SERIES ABOUT THE TOWNS OF WEST TEXAS

 In October 2015 KTRS Marfa Public Radio featured Past & Present: A Focus on the Towns of Far West Texas [link]. 

The series provided a closer look at some of the key towns in the KRTS coverage area. In the past towns such as Presidio, Van Horn, and Balmorhea, Texas, were important regional hubs for pioneer trails, water sources, or early highways. Some towns have thrived but others haven’t.

Past & Present: A Focus on the Towns of Far West Texas not only examined the past, it focused on the towns today and opportunities for the future. Each report featured the voices of residents as local guides. Their stories became radio reports accompanied by YouTube videos about each community.

For example, listen and view the story of Presidio, Texas. [link]

 The area around the present town of Presidio on the Rio Grande, known as La Junta de los Ríos, is believed to be the oldest continuously cultivated farmland in Texas. About 1500 B.C. indigenous corn farmers settled here for access to water and the game and vegetation it supported. Presidio’s strategic location is as important in 2015 as it’s been for more than 3000 years, and it is a key to the town’s hope for economic expansion.