‘Carolina Connection’ wins RTDNA Student Edward R. Murrow Award
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 UNC Hussman 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 UNC Hussman 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 UNC Hussman has eight finalists for the RTDNAC/AP student awards:
Feature Reporting (Radio)
- Mermaids are Real at This Greensboro Pool — Jessica Coates
Feature Reporting (TV)
- Cutting Hair & Cutting Communist Ties — Danielle Wallace
News Reporting (Radio)
- Future of the ACA — David Doochin
Newscast (Radio)
Newscast (TV)
Sports Story (Radio)
- The Franklin Street Journey to the Big Win — John Thomas
TV News Producing
- Carolina Week (Oct. 26, 2016) — Lauren Kent
TV Weathercast
- Weathercast (March 29, 2017) — Kyle Hansen
Want to hear more from the award-winning “Carolina Connection” team? Check out their site or follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.