FOR IMMEDIATE MEDIA RELEASE
Tuesday, June 12, 2012

90.3 WCPN Wins Prestigious 2012 National Edward R. Murrow Award

‘Frank’s Donation’ Takes Top Award in Feature Reporting Category for Large Market Radio Stations

The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) announced today the 2012 National Edward R. Murrow Award Winners. The awards, which honor excellence in electronic journalism, named 90.3 WCPN ideastream as the winner in the Radio Large Market Feature Reporting Category for “Frank’s Donation,” which was written and produced by ideastream’s David C. Barnett. Winners of the national Murrow Awards are selected from the list of regional winners which was announced in April.

“Frank’s Donation” reveals Barnett’s very personal journey through the process of organ donation after the sudden death of his brother, Frank. [Listen to the feature now] A story of personal loss and renewal, the piece includes actual recordings of conversations Barnett had with the organ recovery specialists as they were about to operate on his brother and illuminates the process and benefits of organ donation.

The Edward R. Murrow Awards reflect the principles embodied by Edward R. Murrow, longtime CBS correspondent. Widely recognized as the father of electronic journalism, Murrow was known for his courageous reporting and insatiable desire to find the truth, qualities embodied by the RTDNA awards, which have been presented annually since 1971.

90.3 WCPN has garnered several Regional Murrow Awards through the years (including two Regional Murrow Awards this year for “Frank’s Donation” in the Feature Reporting and Writing categories), this is the first National Edward R. Murrow Award presented to the station. In all, 67 news organizations were honored with 99 National Edward R. Murrow Awards.

“The Edward R. Murrow Awards are more than a trophy in a case,” commented RTDNA Chairman Kevin Benz. “They are a journalistic model set for all to emulate. Winning a Murrow Award means the community has been well-served, informed and protected by the organization represented.”

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