UA-housed APR Wins National Edward R. Murrow Award

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama Public Radio, housed in The University of Alabama’s College of Communication and Information Sciences, has been announced as the 2012 recipient of the Radio Television Digital News Association’s national Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence in radio, small market.

The recognition largely recognized APR’s news coverage of the April 27, 2011, tornadoes in Alabama, as well as its ongoing coverage of the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

“Words alone can’t express my pride in the team,” said Pat Duggins, APR news director. “They dug down deep for our international coverage of the Tuscaloosa tornado, the gulf oil spill, the immigration law controversy, and feature stories like the battle to save Fort Gaines, and ‘Coondog Cemetery,’ among other stories. This prestigious national award is a humbling acknowledgement of that yearlong effort.”

APR joined NBC News, CBS Radio News and The Associated Press as one of seven winners of the Overall Excellence awards. According to a press release from RTDNA, a news organization “must exemplify the absolute highest standards in serving its audience through quality electronic or digital journalism” to win the award.

“I am so proud of the APR news team and the communities that value their hard work,” said Elizabeth Brock, director of the Center for Public Television and Radio. “The generosity of our listeners and the support of
The University of Alabama make it all possible.”

Alabama Public Radio is listener-supported radio that broadcasts from the Tennessee Valley to the Gulf Coast. For more information, visit the APR website.