WBHM’s competition region includes Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi.
The awards recognize the best electronic journalism produced by radio, television and online news organizations around the world. RTDNA has been honoring outstanding achievements in electronic journalism with the Edward R. Murrow Awards since 1971. The awards were given for work broadcast between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2015.
WBHM won awards for:
- Continuing Coverage: Ashley Cleek, Rachel Osier Lindley, Andrew Yeager, “Alabama’s Same-Sex Marriage Battle“
- Investigative Reporting: Ashley Cleek, “Uncovering Alabama’s Hidden Hepatitis C Problem“
- Newscast: Andrew Yeager
- News Series: Dan Carsen, Mallory Falk, Sandra Knispel, Chas Sisk, Sherrel Wheeler Stewart, The Southern Education Desk “Teaching Tough Topics“
- Reporting – Hard News: Andrew Yeager, “Justice Department Called on to Investigate Alabama Voter ID Issue“
- Use of Sound: Rachel Osier Lindley, “Judicial Chaos Complicates Same-Sex Marriage in Alabama“
- Writing: Dan Carsen
“We are delighted to honor the great work being done by local newsrooms,” said RTDNA Chair Kathy Walker. “Whether the winning entries come from a large team of journalists in a big city, or from a single, dedicated reporter in a small town, each demonstrates the value of exceptional journalism.”
“Our winners shed light on important issues and solve problems in their communities,” added RTDNA Executive Director Mike Cavender. “We’re proud to recognize their achievements.”
This year, RTDNA awarded 654 regional Edward R. Murrow Awards in 14 categories, including Overall Excellence, Breaking News, Investigative Reporting, and Website. RTDNA received more than 4,300 entries during the 2016 awards season, setting an all-time record for the fourth year in a row.
“WBHM sought to provide perspective in an event-filled year in Alabama and give attention to longstanding issues in the community,” says WBHM General Manager Scott Hanley. “We are thankful to our colleagues in the RTDNA for recognizing the journalists of WBHM as honorees for their craft, coverage and storytelling.”
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.
A complete list of the 2016 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards winners can be found at rtdna.org.
About WBHM
Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM, a listener-supported service of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, is “Your NPR News Station” and home to the Alabama Radio Reading Service, a resource for the blind and print-impaired. WBHM programming and award-winning regional journalism also can be heard in North Central Alabama on WSGN 91.5 FM through a partnership with Gadsden State Community College. Listen and give online at WBHM.org and follow the station @WBHM on Twitter, on Facebook, and @WBHM903 on Instagram.