Gannett’s KUSA Wins Two Walter Cronkite Awards for Excellence in Television Political Journalism
March 11 2015 - 10:30AM
Business Wire
Gannett’s (NYSE: GCI) KUSA in Denver, CO, won two Walter
Cronkite Awards for Excellence in Television Political Journalism
today. KUSA won for best local station (large market) and the
Cronkite/Jackson Prize for Fact Checking Political Messages. The
Walter Cronkite Awards for Excellence in Television Political
Journalism, given biennially since 2000, recognize compelling
storytelling, accuracy and service to citizens during election
season. Winners were announced by the Norman Lear Center at the
University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for
Communication and Journalism.
“It is an honor for KUSA to be recognized for its outstanding,
engaging and instructive election coverage,” said Dave Lougee,
president, Gannett Broadcasting. “KUSA continues to serve Colorado
by holding politicians accountable and educating viewers on the key
issues that matter most so they can make an informed decision on
Election Day.”
As best local station (large market), KUSA won for its
innovative and extensive coverage of the 2014 election, including
its “true commitment to issue-based coverage of politics.” KUSA
hosted five debates, including for governor and the U.S. Senate,
“truth tested” more than 50 political ads, speeches and statements
and created an online voter guide to inform and educate viewers.
Judges singled out KUSA debate moderators Kyle Clark and political
reporter Brandon Rittiman for “asking pointed questions,
scrutinizing the responses and pressing the candidates for actual
answers.”
The Cronkite/Jackson Prize for Fact Checking Political Messages
recognizes TV journalists' best practices in reducing the level of
deception and confusion in U.S. politics. KUSA, which also won the
Cronkite/Jackson Prize two years ago, was praised again as a “model
for others” due to its scriptwriting, presentation and production
techniques. KUSA aired 55 segments that fact checked political
messages in 2014. The station also compiled those segments into a
one-hour special broadcast that aired days before Election Day.
Judges said, “KUSA continues to produce the best fact-checking
segments on local TV” and that KUSA’s “commitment to fact checking
is unrivaled.”
For more information, visit www.cronkiteaward.org.
About Gannett
Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) is an international media and
marketing solutions company that informs and engages more than 115
million people every month through its powerful network of
broadcast, digital, mobile and publishing properties. Our portfolio
of trusted brands offers marketers unmatched local-to-national
reach and customizable, innovative marketing solutions across any
platform. Gannett is committed to connecting people – and the
companies who want to reach them – with their interests and
communities. For more information, visit www.gannett.com.
Gannett Co., Inc.For media inquiries, contact:Jeremy
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Communications703-854-6049jmgaines@gannett.comorFor investor
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Relations703-854-6917jheinz@gannett.com