Monday, June 29, 2009

Vermont Public Radio has been honored with a 2009 national Edward R. Murrow Award for excellence in broadcast journalism. Reporter Nina Keck was recognized for her use of sound in an audio postcard, Final Exam With A Twist, in which Green Mountain College students are tested as they drive a pair of oxen.

Sponsored by the Radio and Television News Directors Association (RTNDA), the award is one of thirteen national awards in the small market radio category. In all, 51 radio and television news organizations are being honored with 79 awards.

“We are honored to receive this award,” said VPR President Robin Turnau. “Dynamic sound is a hallmark of public radio news. It transports listeners to the scene and helps tell a great story.” 

The RTNDA has been honoring outstanding achievements in electronic journalism with the Edward R. Murrow Award since 1971. Recipients demonstrate the spirit of excellence that Edward R. Murrow made a standard for the broadcast news profession.

This is Vermont Public Radio’s sixth national Murrow Award. Earlier this year, VPR was recognized with nine regional Murrow Awards for outstanding news coverage, the most the station has ever received. Also this year, VPR won four national awards for news coverage from Public Radio News Directors Incoporated, as well as two My Source Awards for Community Impact from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

The award will be presented to VPR during a ceremony in New York City in October 2009. Click here to listen to Final Exam With A Twist. A full listing of national Murrow Award winners is available here.