NetNews

North Country Public Radio's news team has been awarded three 2006 Regional Edward R. Murrow awards by the Radio and Television News Directors Association (RTNDA). Regional winners automatically become eligible for the national awards competition, which will be judged in early June.

Honored for Best News Series was Disability Matters, a Sound Partners project of NCPR and North Country Centers for Independent Living. Disability Matters is a year-long project that began in April 2005 promoting understanding between disabled and non-disabled people to influence public policy through radio commentaries, audio diaries and a year-long series of documentaries and features.

The Disability Matters project was also honored with Best Hard News Feature for Alex's Story, by reporter and All Before Five host Gregory Warner. This feature tells the story of Alex Smith, a 15-year old student with autism attending Canton High School. Alex's Story and the entire Disability Matters series can be heard at www.ncpr.org.

The third 2006 Murrow award was given to NCPR for Best Feature Reporting for American Tragedy at the Met by Adirondack Bureau Chief Brian Mann. On December 2, 2005, the Metropolitan Opera unveiled a new work based on Theodore Dreiser's classic novel American Tragedy about a young woman named Grace Brown whose murder in South Bay sparked a media frenzy and made headlines around the world. You can listen to American Tragedy at the Met at www.ncpr.org.

RTDNA has been honoring outstanding achievements in electronic journalism with Murrow Awards since 1971.

"Make no mistake, this recognition is extraordinary, and every listener and supporter should take pride in NCPR's News Department's achievement," said Station Manager Ellen Rocco. "Year after year, NCPR is measured against the biggest and wealthiest stations in the country, and shines. Our news team is dedicated, talented and abides by the most rigorous journalistic standards. Once again, our colleagues in both public and commercial broadcasting have recognized the product of those professional qualities."

Posted: April 13, 2006