The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) recognized WFAE 90.7fm with three awards, including Overall Excellence, in the association's regional Edward R. Murrow Awards competition for electronic journalism. WFAE also ranked first among large market stations for reporting in the categories of Hard News Reporting and Newscast.
The Overall Excellence award reflects the depth and scope of a news organization. WFAE’s winning entry represents a sampling of the station’s diverse news coverage throughout 2014: The coal ash spill at Duke Energy’s Dan River Plant, former Charlotte mayor Patrick Cannon’s guilty plea in federal court, details about the resignation of former CMS Superintendent Heath Morrison, the tax incentives that the off-shoring company Cognizant is receiving, coverage of a winter storm, and a human interest feature about a man who picks up litter on his daily walk.
“These awards reflect the wide range of great reporting at WFAE – Investigative, breaking news coverage, and in-depth journalism on a diverse range of topics,” said WFAE News Director Greg Collard. “WFAE’s newsroom is full of excellent journalists who serve the public with their work. It’s especially gratifying that the quality of their work is being recognized with the Overall Excellence award.”
The other awards include:
Hard News Reporting: FBI’s Case Against Cannon – Tom Bullock and Ben Bradford
This story aired the morning after Charlotte Mayor Patrick Cannon resigned following his indictment on political corruption charges. The federal government wasn't disclosing much about the charges. WFAE's Ben Bradford and Tom Bullock told the story of the multi-year investigation through the Justice Department's lengthy criminal complaint.
Best Newscast: March 27, 2014 Morning Edition newscast – WFAE Staff
This newscast aired the day after Charlotte Mayor Patrick Cannon was indicted on federal corruption charges and resigned. The first half of the newscast has reaction to the news and description of what FBI agents were doing at Cannon’s house as they seized evidence. It was team effort that included sound, information, writing from multiple reporters. The rest of the newscast included a roundup of state news.
WFAE competes in a region that’s comprised of stations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia. Regional winners automatically become eligible for the national awards competition, which will be judged in June. Last year, WFAE’s Ben Bradford won a National Edward R. Murrow Award for Hard News Reporting.