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Security Risks

Chemical plants: Easy targets, poorly guarded
Chemical plants could become weapons of mass destruction. Major weaknesses in the security were exposed by WLS-TV, Chicago.
Investigative reporter Chuck Goudie made an analogy everyone could grasp: "Just as al Qaeda hijackers transformed jetliners into flying bombs on 9-11, federal authorities are alarmed at how easily a terrorist could transform your neighborhood chemical plant into a weapon of mass destruction."  archives/0249.htm

Security hazard: Unguarded small airports
Small airfields have a lack of safeguards. Open gates. No guards. No fences. Airplanes --- including substantial charter craft --- within easy reach. It could be an opportunity for a terrorist disaster. This was investigated by WABC-TV, New York. 
archives/0408.htm

Stolen from the military: bomb ingredients, weapons
The American military is unable to stop the continuing theft of its C-4 explosives, weapons and more. This was explained by WRAL-TV, Raleigh.  archives/9637.htm

Potential terrorists are crossing the border with Mexico
People from countries on the Terror Watch List are entering the U.S. illegally from Mexico, and the government appears to be doing little about it. Waves of people were shown by KVOA-TV, Tucson. archives/0436.htm

Protect Our Children
At School

Weapons Of Worry: Missed By Security
Despite the ongoing effort to improve security in the schools and to prevent terrorist attacks in the public arena, there are weapons that seem to be beyond the current controls. In Miami, WFOR-TV revealed there are many weapons that can be slipped past security.  archives/0427.htm

TV News Investigations:
School Systems Failing and Fraudulent
Help your viewers' children get a better education.
The parents and the taxpayers are paying the bills. Some schools are cheating their students. Education stalls when administrators conceal a dropout problem or take home computers provided for the classrooms. Safety issues range from unqualified, crazed bus drivers to in-school violence.

School security: Gaps are common
Children and their classrooms can be targets for anyone from an estranged parent to a sexual predator to even a person with some sort of terrorist agenda. A document purportedly written by Osama bin Laden encouraged his supporters to go after all Americans, especially women and children. In Detroit, WDIV-TV indicated areas for improvements.  archives/0309.htm

Emergency Preparedness: Make Sure Systems Don't Fail
Here is how  broadcasters prepared for the big earthquake in San Francisco, and what they learned when the building shook and the power went off.  archives/9844.htm

Seattle Earthquake:
TV Newsrooms Were Ready
A mid-morning earthquake surprised the Seattle area.  The shaking was captured on videotape several places as photographers or fixed cameras were rolling when it began.   Station executives had planned for such an emergency, and the planning worked well.   archives/0110.htm

Room 104:
The Overcrowding Crisis
By focusing on students and teachers, an initially boring subject was brought to life. Viewers could see how children are shortchanged when the instructor is simply lucky to keep control, never mind teaching and helping individuals having problems. This was a duPont winner for WABC-TV, New York.

 Teacher Poll Reveals An Inside View of Classrooms
A survey allowed teachers to talk anonymously about how they really felt about what was going on in their schools. Response was excellent from both the teachers and the viewers when this project was executed by WESH-TV, Orlando.

 Students Cheated By School Officials
Schools in Detroit were funded, but failing.  WXYZ-TV's investigative reporter exposed an enormous waste of taxpayers' money and "loss" of equipment. The youngsters were being shortchanged by some of the people hired to help them.

 Officials concealed the dropout rate
In Houston, KHOU-TV staffers found a troubled high school with "no" dropouts.  It was a fraud, and concealed the failures of the officials.

Juvenile sexual offenders attending schools
Not only are juvenile sexual offenders attending schools, often the school officials don't know it.   The offender changes schools, but his record may not follow him. In St. Louis, KSDK-TV investigated.  

 Schoolhouse Outrage: Filthy Bathrooms
Schools in Southern California were checked to see how sanitary --- or unsanitary --- the bathrooms were.  KCBS-TV   investigators  spent three months and visited more than 50 buildings, some of them more than once.  Many bathrooms were locked or unavailable to students.   Many were missing essential supplies.

Roughed Up At Recess: Violence On The Playground
Teachers stood by doing nothing while bullies beat up other children on the school playgrounds.  News team members at WITI-TV, Milwaukee were surprised that it was so blatant and out of control. They followed up with a project that offered solutions for parents and educators.

Television and Radio Awards:
Rules, Deadlines, Winners

Here are links to major broadcast award competitions.   You can find deadlines, regulations and names of past winners.

Alfred I. duPont - Columbia University Awards
These awards are presented annually for overall excellence in broadcast journalism. Their purpose is to bring to professional and public attention the best journalism and to honor individuals and organizations that produced it.

The 2008 duPont Columbia Awards

The 2007 duPont Columbia Awards

The 2006 duPont Columbia Awards

The 2005 duPont Columbia Awards

The 2004 duPont Columbia Awards

Peabody Awards
This national competition is based at University of Georgia.  The George Foster Peabody Awards recognize distinguished achievement and meritorious service by radio and television networks, stations, producing organizations, cable television organizations and individuals. 

Free E-Book: Peabody Winners
The George Foster Peabody Awards were first awarded in 1941 for radio programs broadcast in 1940. This free downloadable Winners Book lists all recipients of the award by date.

Investigative Units Win Peabody Honors
Awards for 2008 have gone to three stations where managers committed to expanded projects and investigative reporters persisted in the face of official opposition --- until they got their stories.

One Peabody winner's approach profiled
Investigative reporter Laure Quinlivan has won two Peabody Awards. This was for her work at WCPO-TV, Cincinnati.
Here's the story from Cincinnati Enquirer TV/Radio Critic John Kiesewetter.

Murrow Awards:
Insights From the Winners

The Edward R. Murrow awards are among the most sought after in television news. It is very difficult to win a regional award, and extremely difficult to win a national one. The entries are the best of the best.
We talked with several 2004 national winners in both small and large market categories about their philosophies and approaches to the craft.

RTNDA Web Winners:
Unique Content Sets Them Apart
Here are successful strategies from new media managers.

RTNDA Best Web Sites
Part Two
Win breaking news online. Convergence is king. Offer a personal connection to a story. Station's past highlights available online.

NPPA Video Awards
NPPA's TV News Photographer of the Year, TV News Photography Station of the Year, and Editor of the Year awards are the highest honors in TV news photography.

Online Journalism Awards
This contest of the Online News Association honors excellence in Internet journalism and is open to Web sites around the world.

Investigative Reporters and Editors Awards
The annual IRE Awards recognize outstanding investigative work in several categories. The contest helps identify the techniques and resources used to complete each story.

IRE Past Winners
The IRE Awards were established in 1979.

American Women in Radio & Television
This professional association is dedicated to advancing women in media and entertainment. AWRT carries forth its mission by educating, advocating and acting as a resource to its members and the industry at large. Founded in 1951, AWRT works to improve the quality of electronic media; promote the entry, development and advancement of women in the field; foster communication and ide a exchange; and give back to the community we serve.

National Association of Black Journalists
NABJ recognizes outstanding work through several major awards programs. In the Salute to Excellence awards, NABJ recognizes journalism that best covered the black experience or addressed. The NABJ Hall of Fame features legendary black journalists who have made outstanding contributions to journalism.

Society of Professional Journalists

Green Eyeshade Awards
Open to journalists working in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia.

Clarion Awards
The Association for Women in Communications sponsors The Clarion Awards. Started in 1972, the program honors excellence in 149 categories across all communications disciplines. Clarion is named for the medieval trumpet known for its clarity, symbolize excellence in clear, concise, communications.

Chicago Headline Club
Annual awards to Chicago area journalists. The competition's categories range from in-depth reporting and public service to business, commentary and feature reporting.

Society of the Silurians
Founded in 1924, this organization originally had as its qualification for membership thirty years of New York newspaper work. All entries must deal with the tri-state New York metropolitan area or be reported by news persons based in this area, and contain a definite local "hook."

Society of Environmental Journalists
SEJ honors the best in environmental reporting in nine print, broadcast and online categories. Judging panels consist of accomplished journalists and journalism educators.

Sigma Delta Chi Awards
Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, the Society of Professional Journalists promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees  of freedom of speech and press.

Ohio: Cleveland, Columbus & Cincinnati Chapters

College Television Awards
The College Television Awards recognizes excellence in college student film/video productions. It is national in scope, accepting entries each year from scores of colleges and universities.

CBI College Broadcasting Awards
CBI National Student Production Awards include recognition for newscasts, individual performance, and promotion.

Top High School Student-Produced News 
The National Scholastic Press Association presents the Pacemaker competition.

Emmy Awards from the
National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
Besides the national Emmy competitions, check the eighteen regional chapters for lists of local awards.

George Polk Awards
Long Island University  honors the memory of  CBS reporter George Polk, slain in Greece in 1948 while trying to reach insurgent leaders for an interview.

National Headliner Awards
These awards were created in 1934 by the Press Club of Atlantic City. This program is one of the oldest contests recognizing journalistic merit in the communications industry.

2005 National Headliners Awards

Christopher Awards
Christopher Awards are presented to the producers, directors and writers of books, motion pictures and television specials which affirm the highest values of the human spirit.

USC Annenberg Announces Walter Cronkite Award Winners
The Best in Broadcast TV Political Journalism
Reliable Resources  announced the USC Annenberg Walter Cronkite Awards for Excellence in Broadcast TV Political Journalism. The awards honor television networks, local television stations and individuals for political coverage which excelled at informing viewers about their electoral choices.

"This award recognizes broadcast political journalists who exemplify the best in their profession," said Walter Cronkite. "By providing the kind of coverage we're recognizing today, they are not only better serving their audiences, but also the democratic process." 

Knight-Batten Awards for
Innovations in Journalism
Honored are pioneering approaches to journalism that spur non-traditional interactions and that have an impact on a community. Entries could consist of such things as online news experiences, news games, novel uses of cell phones, Web cams, iPods, computer kiosks, new uses of software, content management systems and other advances in interactive or participatory journalism. Entries may also demonstrate simple efforts that notably connect in new ways with a community. Entries from all media are eligible.

Sidney Hillman Foundation
Since 1950, the Sidney Hillman Foundation has recognized journalists, writers and public figures who pursue social justice and public policy for the common good.  These awards reflect the vision and commitment of Hillman, president of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America (a predecessor union of UNITE). Hillman was an architect of the New Deal and worked to build a vibrant union movement extending beyond the shop floor to all aspects of workers' lives.

Front Page Awards
Every fall since 1938, the Newswomen's Club of New York has distributed a call for entries among New York media. Panels of highly respected judges read through hundreds of entries representing the best reporting to decide on the winners. Although the Front Page Awards originally recognized the achievement of women working only on newspapers, the awards event has grown over the years to honor the work of women in all media.

Copyright 2008, Standish Publishing Company.  This material is for your personal use as a subscriber, and may not be reproduced or transmitted to other parties of any kind.   

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The Rundown has reported weekly on local television news, programming, and community service projects since 1981. This material now fills a massive hard copy archive of 7,000 pages --- easily the largest record of hometown television's activities.  Key articles are available in our online archives.

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Hostage Crises:
Do You Let Gunmen Control Your Air?

When an upset, armed individual is threatening to kill someone, the police commanders supervising the emergency response and the news executives in charge of covering the confrontation have many sensitive decisions.  
Here's how broadcast executives have dealt with these dangerous emergencies.

Major Investigations

TV News Case History
When A Flooding Disaster Strikes:  Who's in Charge?
In Sacramento,  KCRA-TV news documented serious weaknesses in the emergency response system in the state. Here's how they executed this major project.

Public Safety Workers Face On The Job Hazards
Many people who keep the public safe have been injured or sickened because of workplace accidents or exposure to harmful substances.

Prisoners: Escaping and Not Pursued, Inmates Housed at Secret Locations
Two investigations showed how important it is keep track of how corrections officials are --- or are not --- doing their jobs.

Intelligence Report Breaks News Every Day
WLS-TV, Chicago showcases investigative stories on a daily basis. Many news executives have been working to get their investigative units on air more frequently.

Into Child Porn? No Problem, Have A Nice Day
Most men who are arrested in Wisconsin for Internet sex crimes do not go to prison. Three years of cases were analyzed by WITI-TV, Milwaukee.

Airport Restaurants: What's on the Plate?
For your airport meal: Spoiled food and big rats. There was a lot to reveal when restaurants were visited by investigators from WAGA-TV, Atlanta.

It's Hard To File A Complaint Against Police In South Florida
Only 3 of 38 departments had complaint forms available when undercover checks were run by investigators at WFOR-TV, Miami.

Don't Count On A Siren To Warn You Of A Tornado
Serious problems with tornado warning sirens were revealed by investigators at WTHR-TV, Indianapolis.

Teachers With Records Are In The Classroom
The backgrounds of more than 50,000 school employees were checked by news investigators at WOAI-TV, San Antonio.

Help May Not Arrive In Time: Enhanced 911 and Fire Response Lapses
Investigators at two Ohio stations looked at problems in the emergency response systems that could delay first responders from reaching the scene quickly.

Airport Security Breaches: Stolen Credentials, Marshals At Risk
ID badges and uniform items belonging to Transportation Security Administration employees have vanished. The No Fly list is flawed. Air marshals say they are placed at risk by official procedures. 

DUI Investigations Reveal A Stubborn, Dangerous Problem
Two major projects examined where the system is breaking down in Cleveland.

Investigations: Gun Rights, FEMA Checks, Dirty Rags, Good Pictures
Several locally originated investigations connected with viewers.

Toxic Trains: Dangerous Cargo Moves Everywhere
Hazardous materials are being shipped by railroad through cities. A terrorist attack on a single car carrying chlorine could kill as many as 100,000 people.

Air Marshals Say System Must Be Fixed
Policies and procedures put the marshals and the flying public at risk.

Safety Concern For Travellers: Beware Of Airport Floors
There is potentially harmful bacteria on the floors where travellers remove their shoes as they go through airport security. Investigators at KGTV-TV, San Diego, took samples, sent them to a lab, and found an unhealthy situation.

Target Chicago: How Drugs Drive Destruction

A major project at WMAQ-TV included a DEA partnership, young addicts on camera, and a tie-in to a museum exhibit.

Interactive Political Web Site Launched By ABC O&Os
KGO-TV created a site that included five-minute candidate video statements, campaign finances, and answers to voter questions.

High School Project Attracts Teens and Their Parents
Armed with video cameras and permission to tell it all, ten seniors explain what really goes on in a yearlong project for WCAU-TV, Philadelphia.

Exposing Outrageous Perks: Workers Take Cuts, Execs Fly High
Auto industry chiefs are travelling in company jets while jobs are slashed and pay and benefits are reduced. WXYZ-TV, Detroit.