KTAR News wins 2021 Regional Murrow Award for best newscast
May 6, 2021, 10:05 AM | Updated: May 7, 2021, 8:45 am
(KTAR News Photo)
PHOENIX – KTAR News 92.3 FM won a 2021 Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for a broadcast that included coverage of the announcement of Arizona’s shutdown orders.
The station earned the award for best newscast in the large market radio category for the region made up of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming, organizers for the Radio Television Digital News Association said Thursday.
KTAR News’ Arizona’s Evening News broadcast led by Becky Lynn was recognized for the March 30 effort, highlighted by details of Gov. Doug Ducey’s stay-at-home executive order, implemented to slow the state’s spiraling COVID-19 pandemic.
News of the day also encompassed the fatal on-duty shooting of Phoenix Police Cmdr. Greg Carnicle at the scene of a domestic dispute. Two other officers were injured.
“Congratulations to Becky Lynn and our entire award-winning news team for continuing to keep our community connected and informed. You make us so proud,” Ryan Hatch, Bonneville-Phoenix vice president of programming, said.
The news association has been distributing Murrow Awards to honor the best in electronic journalism since 1971.
Local broadcasters, despite unprecedented obstacles and a 1000% increase in physical threats during 2020, you persisted in bringing clarity and context to your communities. RTDNA is proud to honor your journalism with these 2021 Regional #Murrow Awards.https://t.co/seprK7PtE1
— RTDNA (@RTDNA) May 6, 2021
More than 750 awards recognize over 350 local radio and television stations in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and four countries.
“Local journalists across the country guided Americans through a pandemic, ongoing racial reckoning and a fraught election cycle, despite facing unprecedented operational challenges and an astonishing number of physical attacks during 2020,” Dan Shelley, RTDNA executive director and chief operating officer said in a press release.
“The persistence of the regional Murrow Award winners we recognize today is a testament to these journalists’ commitment to their First Amendment duty.”
Regional winners are in the running for national Murrow Awards, which will be announced in the summer.