UA-based Alabama Public Radio Wins International Award

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama Public Radio, housed in The University of Alabama’s Digital Media Center in Bryant-Denny Stadium, has been named a 2014 Silver Radio Award winner for its documentary “Civil Rights Radio.”

APR’s award was in the “Information/Documentary” competition, “History” category.

The international award, given by the New York Festivals International Radio Competition, honors radio programming and promotions in all lengths and formats from radio stations, networks and independent producers from around the globe, according to its website. Broadcasters from more than 30 countries entered the contest.

“The APR news team is especially honored to be recognized internationally,” said Pat Duggins, APR news director, who produced and hosted the winning piece. “We also owe a lot of credit and thanks to the young marchers and to Birmingham disc jockey Shelley ‘The Playboy’ Stewart. They all very kindly and patiently shared their stories from those days, which were the heart of the program.”

“Civil Rights Radio” was a half-hour program chronicling the 50th anniversary of the anti-segregation protest called “the children’s march” in Birmingham. Teenaged demonstrators were met by fire hoses and police dogs after playing hooky to oppose racial discrimination. Their efforts helped pave the way for the Civil Rights Act in 1964.

Alabama Public Radio is housed in the College of Communication and Information Sciences’ state-of-the-art Digital Media Center, located in the north end zone of Bryant-Denny Stadium.