MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 13, 2017--
TEGNA (NYSE: TGNA) Media was honored today with three Walter Cronkite
Awards for Excellence in Television Political Journalism, more than any
other television broadcast group. KUSA won two awards while WXIA’s
digital, episodic investigative team won for their series “Charlie
Foxtrot.” The Walter Cronkite Awards for Excellence in Television
Political Journalism, given biennially, encourage and showcase
substantive and innovative coverage that informs viewers about their
electoral choices.
“I am proud of the work our stations do to hold officials accountable
and inform and educate voters on the key issues impacting their
community,” said Dave Lougee, president, TEGNA Media. “Local journalism
plays a more important role than ever in our democracy. It is a
responsibility we take very seriously and are committed to being an
advocate for those we serve. Congratulations to the teams at KUSA and
WXIA for their outstanding work.”
KUSA won the Brooks Jackson Prize for fact-checking political messages
for the third consecutive time. A jury convened by the Annenberg Public
Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania said KUSA set a “high
standard for fact-checking on a local TV station.” The jury felt KUSA’s
research, writing and presentation served as a model for how to help
viewers cut through the political spin.
KUSA political reporter Brandon Rittiman won his second Cronkite award
for individual achievement by a local journalist (large market). The
jury felt Brandon was “an advocate for real people” and gave them a
voice, which “is at the core of what investigative and political
journalism is all about.” The jury praised his reporting on local
judicial elections. The jury said Brandon’s reports are “clear, concise,
well-documented and well-delivered” and he sets the bar “extremely high”
for political coverage.
WXIA won for achievement by a local station for its digital, episodic
investigation “Charlie
Foxtrot.” The five-part investigation examined military policy that
takes away benefits and veteran status from service members suffering
from PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and other mental health
conditions as a result of war. Shortly after the “Charlie Foxtrot”
investigation ran, the Fairness for Veterans Act was signed into law.
The act requires the military to consider medical evidence of PTSD or
TBI in the discharge review process. Judges said the investigation was
“phenomenal storytelling” and is a case study for taking a deep look at
one issue, understanding its impact on people and prompting legislative
action.
Walter Cronkite Award winners were announced by the Norman Lear Center
at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for
Communication and Journalism.
About TEGNA
TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) is comprised of a dynamic portfolio of media and
digital businesses that provide content that matters and brands that
deliver. TEGNA offers highly relevant, useful and smart content, when
and how people need it, to make the best decisions possible. TEGNA Media
includes 46 television stations and is the largest independent station
group of major network affiliates in the top 25 markets, reaching
approximately one-third of all television households nationwide. TEGNA
Digital is comprised of Cars.com, the leading online destination for
automotive consumers, CareerBuilder, a global leader in human capital
solutions, and G/O Digital, a customized local digital marketing
company. For more information, visit www.TEGNA.com.
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Source: TEGNA Inc.
TEGNA Inc.
For media inquiries, contact:
Steve Kidera
Manager,
Corporate Communications
703-873-6434
skidera@TEGNA.com
or
For
investor inquiries, contact:
Jeffrey Heinz
Vice President,
Investor Relations
703-873-6917
jheinz@TEGNA.com
