NBC26 has won a prestigious, regional Edward R. Murrow Award for Small Market Television Station Newscast for "Project: Drive Sober, " which it launched to address the serious issue of alcohol-related crashes in Wisconsin, which killed an average of 230 people annually during the last decade, according to the state's Department of Transportation.
Wisconsin is the only state where a driver's first operating while intoxicated offense isn't considered criminal by the court system. Instead, a first OWI is a civil offense that comes with a fine. The initiative is not about drinking; instead confronting the choice to drink and drive and offering solutions.
The regional competition includes news organizations from Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
"We don't do what we do for awards. We do it to keep our community connected,” said NBC26 News Director John Laughrin. “What makes this so rewarding is 'Project: Drive Sober' is a true community effort."
The Murrow Awards are named after Edward R. Murrow, a journalism pioneer who set the standards for the highest quality of broadcast journalism. The awards are the embodiment of the values and principles he set forth.
"I'm very proud of our team and our dedication to shining a light on community issues with this kind of scope," said WGBA-TV Vice President and General Manager Joe Antonelli. "This award comes as a high honor representing both who we strive to be everyday as well as our commitment to the community we serve."
Murrow Award winning stories put public interest above all else, provide a catalyst for public discussion, and adhere to the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) Code of Ethics, according to the RTDNA.
It is one of the most respected awards of those given to journalists in the world.
Regional Edward R. Murrow Award winners automatically advance to the national competition, which will be judged in May.
