WITF earns 3 RTDNA Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards

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WITF has been recognized by the Radio Television Digital News Association with three Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards.

In the feature category, StateImpact Pennsylvania climate reporter Rachel McDevitt was honored for her story about electric vehicles. She rented an EV for a week, reported on her experience and answered listener questions. Digital Producer Jeremy Long is the recipient of the Best Use of Sound award, for his story about a volunteer group fixing bikes for people who need them in Lebanon. Sam Dunklau, who recently left WITF, earned the Hard News honor by detailing how some Republican state lawmakers want government and Christianity, as part of Christian Nationalism. 

“These three stories represent WITF’s journalism at its best: Rich sound, skillful storytelling, contextual and fact-based news coverage, and community engagement reporting,” said WITF’s Director of Journalism Scott Blanchard. “These high-impact and compelling stories — and many others like them produced by WITF’s news staff — help strengthen our communities by elevating our successes and our challenges.” 

The Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards for excellence in broadcast and digital journalism are among the most prestigious awards in the industry. Since 1971, the Radio Television Digital News Association has used these awards to recognize news organizations that demonstrate the excellence that Edward R. Murrow made a standard for the broadcast news profession.

The awards are presented to small and large radio, television and digital outlets in 14 geographic areas. WITF’s entries were judged against those from  media organizations of similar size in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey.

“Each of the stories honored offered a unique perspective into our region,” said WITF’s Special Projects Editor Tim Lambert. “One story came out of a question asked by listeners, another told the story of people working to make their community better, and the third took on how some elected leaders were trying to link Christianity and government in Pennsylvania. I’m extremely proud of their work and the work our journalists produce every day. ”

Regional honorees are automatically considered for a National Murrow Award.

Pennsylvania organizations ABC27-WHTM, WBRE, WFMZ, KYW Newsradio, NBC 10 Philadelphia, WESA, WHYY, WXPN also received Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards in their respective divisions and categories. .

WITF received the second most awards in the region among small market radio stations.

Since 2006, WITF has received 90 RTDNA regional Murrows — the most of any organization in Pennsylvania. In the last 10 years, WITF has garnered 76, which puts the organization among the top stations in the country in markets 51 and smaller. Additionally, it’s been awarded 17 National Edward R. Murrow Awards since 2007.

“Journalism is a key part of the services that WITF provides the local community,” said Ron Hetrick, president and CEO of WITF. “These awards highlight just a few of the many stories that our journalists produced this year to inform,  enlighten, and engage the citizens of Central Pennsylvania. Through our new partnership with LNP, we look forward to building on our success by expanding and diversifying our coverage and continuing to enrich lives together.”

Here are the honorees: 

FEATURE REPORTING

Driving an EV in Pennsylvania: range anxiety, charging, and maintenance (Rachel McDevitt)

As major automakers discuss big plans to go electric, EVs are one solution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation – which makes up a third of the country’s emissions.

So, Climate Solutions asked listeners for questions about electric vehicles.

To get answers, StateImpact Pennsylvania’s Rachel McDevitt did a couple of things. She  rented a Hyundai Kona Electric for one week and spoke to a few experts. 

This is Rachel’s first Regional Murrow.

EXCELLENCE IN SOUND

Lebanon County group works to get bikes to those in need (Jeremy Long)

A new group is working to make a difference in Lebanon County by taking used bikes, fixing them up and giving the bikes to those who need them. 

WITF’s Jeremy Long stopped by the workshop to find out what volunteers hoped to accomplish.

This is Jeremy’s first Regional Murrow. 

HARD NEWS REPORTING

Doug Mastriano and some Pa. GOP leaders think Christianity and government should be linked  (Sam Dunklau)

In early July, 2022, a dozen or so Republican lawmakers gathered in the state Capitol Rotunda to celebrate William Penn.

But, the event soon turned into how Christianity and government should be intermingled.

The rhetoric caught the attention of our then-state Capitol Bureau Chief, Sam Dunklau, and he did a little digging about how some of it matched up with Christian Nationalism. 

This is his first Regional Murrow honor.