INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - WTHR received six regional 2017 Edward R. Murrow Awards, including the award for Overall Excellence, the Radio Television Digital News Association announced Tuesday morning.
The Overall Excellence award recognizes the depth and scope of the news organization on air and on digital media.
Judges honored 13 Investigates with two awards for Bob Segall’s stories that exposed mismanagement and deplorable conditions at a local rescue mission. The Charity Caught on Camera reports received awards for Investigative Reporting and News Series. The team involved in that work includes photojournalist Bill Ditton, investigative producers Cyndee Hebert and Susan Batt, digital content director Scott Humns and graphic artists Amy Ramirez and Steve Wolfe. This series of stories was also honored Tuesday with one of the two Peabody Awards the station received.
The judges selected a story by reporter Kevin Rader and photojournalist Steve Rhodes as the best Feature Reporting. In "Time with Dad," they shared the story of Randy Baughn and his father, Rick. Randy, who is a photographer, has been documenting his father’s decent into dementia.
The Murrow judges also recognized Rader and Rhodes for individual achievement. Rader received the Murrow award for Excellence in Writing, and Rhodes received the award for Excellence in Video.
Since 1971, the Radio Television Digital News Association has honored outstanding achievements in electronic journalism with the Edward R. Murrow Awards. The organization says, “Award recipients demonstrate the spirit of excellence that Murrow set as a standard for the profession of electronic journalism.”
While announcing the awards, RTDNA Chair Vincent Duffy released a statement saying, “We're proud to recognize the most outstanding ways journalists are keeping the public informed, holding the powerful accountable and enhancing the quality of life in their communities."
RTDNA Executive Director Mike Cavender added, “Those who want proof of the important role journalists play in our society need only look at the work we highlight with the Edward R. Murrow Awards."
Judges select winners in 13 regions across the US and from an international group of broadcasters. Indianapolis competes in Region 7 against other Large Market (Market 1-50) television stations in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio.
A complete list of 2017 Regional Edward R. Murrow winners is posted online.
