'Carolina Connection' wins RTDNA Student Edward R. Murrow Award

October 10, 2017

Just shy of a year after its coverage of 2016 Election Day, the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media's "Carolina Connection" radio news team is being honored with a Student Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence in Audio Newscast.

The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA), one of the largest organizations for digital and broadcast journalism, recognized the Hussman School on Monday, Oct. 9, at its annual awards gala in New York City's Gotham Hall. "Carolina Connection" was lauded for the writing and editing of its half-hour newscast from Nov. 5, three days before the 2016 presidental election.

The Edward R. Murrow Awards — named after the legendary CBS News television and radio broadcaster — have recognized outstanding electronic journalism since 1971. The RTDNA created three categories for students in 2015: overall excellence in audio, video and digital. This year, the student awards expanded to five categories by adding "newscast" and "reporting" distinctions to the audio and video awards.

The expansion opened the door for "Carolina Connection" to bring the Hussman School its first Student Edward R. Murrow Award with its newscast from Nov. 5, 2016, which focused on then-President Barack Obama's visit to campus and College Republicans campaigning for then-candidate Donald Trump. The RTDNA judges called the newscast well-produced and noted its strong transitions and co-anchor performance.

The RTDNA also announced finalists for the 2017 RTDNAC/AP awards contest, which honors journalism in the Carolinas. The winners will be announced Saturday, Nov. 11, at an annual luncheon at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The Hussman School has eight finalists for the RTDNAC/AP student awards:

Feature Reporting (Radio)