The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) has awarded WUWM the national Edward R. Murrow Award for outstanding News Series (large market radio) for Project Milwaukee: Black Men in Prison. This prestigious honor is one of the most respected in the broadcast industry, and represents WUWM’s relentless pursuit of excellence in journalism.
Over more than seven months, beginning in November 2013, WUWM explored Wisconsin's high rate of black male incarceration, through expert analysis and personal stories. WUWM’s Newsroom and Lake Effect reports and interviews focused on the reasons for the high incarceration rate, the impact on the community, and solutions. The series included two special community forums, which WUWM co-hosted with Milwaukee Public Television. The two news organizations collaborated over the course of many months to offer complementary reports on this complex issue.
“Project Milwaukee: Black Men in Prison was an important project, which put a spotlight on a major issue in our community,” said Dave Edwards, director and general manager of WUWM. “The series received a lot of attention locally, and we are thrilled that it has been recognized with this national award.”
WUWM and the other winners will be recognized at the RTDNA Edward R. Murrow Awards Gala at Gotham Hall in New York City on October 12.
The Radio Television Digital News Association has been honoring outstanding achievements in electronic journalism with the Edward R. Murrow Awards since 1971. Murrow’s pursuit of excellence in journalism embodies the spirit of the awards that carry his name.