Boise State Public Radio’s newsroom has won six regional Edward R. Murrow Awards. The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) announced Tuesday that Boise State Public Radio won six of 13 awards handed out in Region One for work done in 2013.
News Director Scott Graf says the awards reflect the high quality work KBSX does on a regular basis.
"I'm proud that our peers have again recognized KBSX as a leader of quality journalism in our region," Graf says. "Our newsroom focuses on quality over quantity, and this is affirmation that Boise State Public Radio is hitting the mark."
Sadie Babits served as the KBSX news director in 2013. She now holds the same position at Colorado Public Radio.
First established in 1971, the Murrow awards recognize the best work in radio, digital and television news. Boise State Public Radio’s entries competed with commercial and public radio stations in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Alaska.
"RTDNA received more than 4,000 entries during the 2014 awards season, surpassing 2013 by more than 500 entries and setting an all-time record for entries in what proved to be one of the most competitive Edward R. Murrow Awards seasons in RTDNA history." - RTDNA
The winners in each category will now compete for national recognition at the Edward R. Murrow Awards presented in New York later this year. In 2013, Boise State Public Radio took home the national Edward R. Murrow Award for best small-market radio website.
There are four full-time reporters in Boise State Public Radio's newsroom. KBSX 91.5, is Idaho's largest NPR member station, reaching a million people in southern and central Idaho.
KBSX is among five small-market radio stations that received top honors, with six Murrow awards each. The other stations are South Dakota Public Radio in Vermillion, S.D.; Marfa Public Radio in Marfa, Texas; WATD in Marshfield, Mass. and WITF in Harrisburg, Pa.
"Our reporters strive to tell good stories every day," General Manager John Hess says. "These awards represent our newsroom identifying good story ideas and reporting them in a quality, professional manner. This is an accomplishment our organization and listeners can be proud of."
The 2014 regional Edward R. Murrow’s go to…
Best Writing: With $140,000 On The Line, Idaho Girl Scouts Try Their Hand At Lobbying
- Reporter: Emilie Ritter Saunders
Best Use of Sound: Fellowship And Tradition Go Into Pie Making For Lent In Boise
- Reporter: Samantha Wright
Best Sports Story: 6-Man Football Struggles To Gain Footing In Rural Idaho High Schools
- Reporter: Scott Graf
Best Website: Boise State Public Radio
- Boise State Public Radio news team
Best Hard News: Why An Influx Of Retirees To Idaho Is Creating More Low-Wage Jobs
- Reporter: Emilie Ritter Saunders
Best News Series: Bottom Rung: Living On Low Wages In Idaho
- Reporters: Molly Messick, Emilie Ritter Saunders, Jessica Robinson
