The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) has announced its regional 2014 Edward R. Murrow Awards, and Hawaii Public Radio has won in three categories. The entire newsroom won for “Best News Series” for “Feeding Ourselves: Hawaii’s Food Future,” which included contributions from reporters on Oahu, Hawaii Island and Molokai. Reporter Molly Solomon won for “Best Breaking News” for her coverage of the molasses spill in Honolulu Harbor. Solomon also won in the “Feature Reporting” category for her piece “Hawaii’s Brain Drain,” done as part of the HPR News series “Neighbors.”
“We are honored to receive recognition in this prestigious competition,” said HPR News Director Bill Dorman. “The work of our local news team is part of what is made possible by the generous support of our station members.” HPR CEO and General Manager Michael Titterton added “The commitment to quality journalism is an important and continuing piece of what we are at Hawaii Public Radio, and this recognition of the team’s accomplishments is gratifying.”
The RTDNA website says “the awards recognize the best electronic journalism produced by radio, television and online news organizations around the world.” The organization also noted that there were a record number of entries for this year’s awards, “in what proved to be one of the most competitive Edward R. Murrow Awards seasons in RTDNA history.” They are named for the broadcast news pioneer and longtime CBS news correspondent, legendary for both his radio and television coverage. "The Murrow Awards honor journalism at its finest," added Mike Cavender, Executive Director of RTDNA. "Local newsrooms serve their communities 365 days a year, and we're proud to recognize the great work they do."
All regional winners automatically advance to the national Edward R. Murrow Awards competition, which will be judged in May and presented in October.
