MPB has once again earned recognition for its efforts in covering news, current affairs and sports, including two 2016 regional Edward R. Murrow Awards and nine first place awards from the Mississippi Associated Press Broadcasters.
MPB News reporters Paul Boger and Desare Frazier earned regional Murrow Awards for Feature Reporting and Hard News Reporting, respectively. They were selected from a four-state region, which includes Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi.
The Murrow awards recognize the best electronic journalism produced by radio, television and online news organizations around the world. Regional winners automatically advance to the national Murrow Awards competition, which will be judged in May and announced in June.
MPB also garnered nine first place awards from the Mississippi Associated Press Broadcasters contest. These include Best Radio Newscast in the state, Best News Website and Best Radio Newscaster
See the list below for details about each award, as well as links to the entries.
2016 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards
Feature Reporting:
"Blues Legend BB King Laid to Rest"
Reporter: Paul Boger
http://www.mpbonline.org/blogs/news/2015/06/01/blues-legend-bb-king-laid-to-rest-in-indianola/
Hard News Reporting:
"Activists reflect on 50th anniversary of 1965 Voting Rights Act"
Reporter: Desare Frazier
Mississippi Associated Press Broadcasters Awards - First Place Winners
Best Public Affairs Reporting:
Mississippi Edition - May 15, 2015
Staff: Karen Brown, Sid Scott
http://www.mpbonline.org/blogs/mississippiedition/mississippi-edition-may-15th-2015/?preview
Best Documentary/Series of Stories:
"42: The Fight over Funding"
Reporter: Paul Boger
Judges’ comments: This is what good journalism is all about in 2016. Great audio storytelling backed up by online extras and text stories give the audience a compelling look at this important issue. This was complete coverage.
http://www.mpbonline.org/blogs/news/2015/10/29/42-the-fight-over-funding/
Best Website
MPB News Staff, Ashley Jefcoat and Ellie Banks
Judges’ comments: Easy to read, easy to navigate website with stories of lasting importance. Good use of audio clips and text stories to give the audience a worthwhile experience.
http://www.mpbonline.org/news/
Best Feature Story:
"Gibbs and Green shot and killed at Jackson State University"
Reporter: Desare Frazier
Best General News Story:
"25 Hundred Rally for Ole Miss Chancellor"
Reporter: Sandra Knispel
Judges’ comments: This is excellent reporting that provides insight to the campus reaction to the removal of an administrator. The piece is given helpful context and the issue is covered from multiple perspectives. Excellent use of raw sound and interviewee sound bites. Helpful balance of narration and actualities. This is clearly radio reporting at its best.
http://www.mpbonline.org/blogs/news/2015/03/26/2500-rally-for-ole-miss-chancellor/
Best Radio Newscaster:
Karen Brown
http://www.mpbonline.org/blogs/mississippiedition/best-newscaster-ap-submission-2015/
Best Sportscast, Sports program:
MPB’s Season Pass - Hurricane Katrina’s effect on the News Orleans Saints
Staff: Sam Wells, Jay White
Judges’ comments: This comprehensive look at the New Orleans Saints on the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina is a great merger of sports, culture and news. The interviewing is conversational and brings out depth of insight from each of the interviewees. A highly listenable program.
Achievement:
"42: The Fight over Funding"
Reporter: Paul Boger
Judges’ comments: Exhaustive coverage of an important issue, and a great example of a newsroom and radio station that takes this kind of "series" reporting seriously. Good sources, well put-together and covers all the angles. Well done.
http://www.mpbonline.org/blogs/news/2015/10/29/42-the-fight-over-funding/
Best Radio Newscast:
7 a.m., December 2, 2015
MPB News Staff
Judges’ comments: Solid newscast. Great variety of stories and the pace felt just right. It felt like NPR but had a great local feel at the same time... tough to do in a statewide newscast.
http://www.mpbonline.org/blogs/mississippiedition/newscast-7am-dec-2-2015/
