New Hampshire Public Radio recently earned awards in prestigious journalism competitions, both on the national stage and here in New Hampshire. Accolades include a National Edward R. Murrow Award, presented by the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA), and six awards from the Granite Mikes, presented by the New Hampshire Association of Broadcasters (NHAB).
“These citations are of special significance in 2020,” said Dan Barrick, News Director at NHPR. “Reporting remotely during a pandemic requires tremendous innovation and creativity. While the work honored in these competitions took place before the pandemic, this is a positive reinforcement of what we do and how we do it. I’m proud our staff is maintaining our commitment and high standards of public service journalism, and that many of these awards also reflect cross-collaborative efforts throughout our newsroom.”
This year’s National Murrow Awards recognized 128 local and network radio, television and digital news organizations – from more than 5,000 entries across the country. Edward R. Murrow was the longtime CBS newsman famed for his World War II-era broadcasts from Blitz-era London and for his critical questioning of Senator Joseph McCarthy during the 1950s.
For the Murrows, senior reporter Todd Bookman won his first national Murrow award for a story about an Exeter local, known for his run-ins with the law and strong political opinions. Todd’s story “Model Citizen? No. But Exeter Man is at Center of First Amendment Dispute” was recognized in the Feature Reporting category.
According to RTDNA, The Murrow Awards are the embodiment of the values, principles and standards set forth by broadcast journalist Edward R. Murrow. Among the most respected journalism awards in the world, Murrow Award-winning stories put public interest above all else, provide a catalyst for public discussion, and adhere to the RTDNA Code of Ethics, says RTDNA.
Additionally, NHPR won three first-place and three merit awards at the 2020 Granite Mikes – for reporting that spanned public health issues, a political podcast and hiking challenges in the White Mountains.
The NHBA presents the Granite Mikes awards each year, recognizing radio and television stations throughout New Hampshire for their work in documentary news, use of digital media, feature reporting, sport news and many other categories.
NHPR’s winning submissions included reporting by Annie Ropeik on protests and events following arrests at a coal-fired power plant in Bow, New Hampshire. Another winner is Patient Zero – NHPR’s podcast exploring the origins and evolution of Lyme disease. In the Feature Story category, a piece feature telling the story of colorful cottages on Route 4 near Northwood and what attracts visitors to them took first place honors.
The full list of NHPR’s winning submissions:
Spot News
Radio Category – First: Dozens Arrested At Protest Outside New England's Largest Coal Power Plant (Annie Ropeik)
Documentary News
Radio Category – First: Patient Zero podcast
Feature Story
Radio Category – First: A Night At Route 4's Rainbow Cottages On Harvey Lake (Sarah Gibson and Annie Ropeik)
Documentary News
Radio Category – Merit: Stranglehold podcast
Feature Story
Radio Category – Merit: Owl’s Head: The Best or Worst of N.H.’s 4000 Footers? (Sean Hurley)
Newscast
Radio Category – Merit: The Day After the NH Primary
For a complete list of Edward R. Murrow National Award winners, click here.
To watch the Granite Mikes Award ceremony, click here.
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About NHPR
Since 1981, New Hampshire Public Radio has shaped the media landscape in the Granite State and beyond. Our mission is “Expanding minds, sparking connections, building stronger communities.” NHPR is broadcast from 14 different sites, making it by far New Hampshire’s largest (and only) statewide radio news service. Every week, NHPR is the choice of 157,000 listeners as a primary source of in-depth and intelligent news coverage, with thousands more viewing NHPR.org, following our social media sites or listening to our podcasts. Each day, New Hampshire Public Radio delivers several hours of local news reported by its award-winning news team. Locally produced programs and podcasts include The Exchange, The Folk Show, Outside/In, and Civics 101, among others. NHPR is the exclusive outlet for NPR News in the Granite State and broadcasts national weekly programs such as The Moth Radio Hour, Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!, and This American Life.