Edward Murrow’s spirit lives on in the work of broadcast journalists he inspired, says the Radio-Television News Directors Association, which this week announced its 2008 picks for excellence in electronic reporting. Investigative reporting has its own category of the Edward R. Murrow Awards; this year’s national winners are:
ABC News, Brian Ross Investigates | Prescription for Error
Television Network/Syndication Service
Chief investigative correspondent Brian Ross exposed pharmacy errors in America’s major drug store chains, and their effects. Watch the original report, “Pharmacy Errors: Unreported Epidemic”, or track the follow-up stories on The Blotter’s Pharmacy Investigation blog.
NPR | Sexual Abuse of Native American Women
Radio Network/Syndication Service
Reporter Laura Sullivan led a two-part investigation, from South Dakota and Oklahoma, on the ongoing epidemic of sexual violence on Native American reservations. Read the transcript, listen to the original broadcasts, and dig deeper with interactive maps at “Rape Cases on Indian Lands Go Uninvestigated” and “Legal Hurdles Stall Rape Cases on Native Lands”. Hear Sullivan discuss the the reporting challenges she faced in this interview with Bruce Shapiro, executive director of the Dart Center:
KNBC-TV | Contaminated
Television: Large Market
Reporter Joel Grover and his team went undercover for four months to expose contaminated food supplies delivered to Southern California restaurants, and public health officials’ failure to protect the public. Explore the project site, Produce Market Investigation, to read the transcript and watch parts one, two and three of Grover’s video series.
WLOX-TV | Home Sweet Meth Home
Television: Small Market
In this three-part series, reporter Keli Rabon investigated how former meth labs in Biloxi, Miss. were being rented and sold to unsuspecting people, exposing them to harmful chemicals. See the full reports: “Mississippi Failing To Protect Families From Former Meth Labs”, “Meth: It Can’t Be Seen, But Could Be In Your Home” and “Innocent Families Discover Meth Still Lurks In Their Homes”, and follow-up stories.
WTMJ-AM | Unlawful Restraint?
Radio: Large Market
Reporter Dan O’Donnell investigated the use of restraining devices in a special education classroom in Racine, Wis. Read the transcript and listen to the original report.
Hundreds of other radio and television reports received Edward R. Murrow Awards at the regional level. Explore the full list.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
