Media Frenzy

By Rob Holbert Managing Editor

WPMI reporter Bruce Mildwurf and photojournalist Mike Corry were selected for one of the most prestigious broadcast journalism awards in the country recently, as they were one of 13 winners of the 2006 Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University award winners.

The pair were selected for a four-part series called “For Lauren’s Sake” about a severely disabled teenager in danger of losing her Medicaid nursing care due to flaws in the state’s Medicaid policies. In the reports, Mildwurf interviewed several state authorities, questioning the potential reduction in Lauren Rainey’s home nursing care. Rainey’s mother has depended upon that nursing care to allow her to work outside the home.

The duPont described the series this way: “This was more than a heart-wrenching human interest story as Mildwurf revealed the flaws in Alabama’s Medicaid policy. As a result of these reports, Alabama’s Medicaid office adjusted its policy to continue home nursing care for Lauren and other children in similar situations.”

The vast majority of the duPont awards this year went to reporters on national news programs. WPMI News Director Joe Raia said the recognition was a result of doing something that actually made a difference.

“The duPont is a terrific honor for us since it is one of the most prestigious awards for excellence in journalism. I am very proud of Bruce and his photographer Mike Corry. It is wonderful to receive national recognition for our work. However, the true joy is knowing that we can make a difference in our community by helping those who cannot help themselves,” Raia said.

According to a press release from Columbia University, six of this year’s winners are “investigative reports produced by networks, cable news and local television stations reporting on hard-hitting issues of the day, such as terrorism, Wal-Mart’s business practices, and corruption in municipal government.”

Awards also went to CNN and ABC News for live coverage of international events, the 2004 tsunami disaster and the death of Pope John Paul II. Three public radio organizations were honored for their programming about poverty, stem cell research, and cultural aspects of food.

Mildwurf’s award was chosen from a pool of 628 radio and television news entries that aired in the United States between July 1, 2004, and June 30, 2005. The winners will be presented with silver batons, the symbol for excellence in television and radio journalism, at an awards ceremony Jan.18 at Columbia University.

Bob Schieffer, anchor of The CBS Evening News and moderator of “Face the Nation,” will host the event.. Mildwurf’s story will also get some national play in a one-hour documentary about the winners, “Telling the Truth: the Best in Broadcast Journalism,” hosted by Michel Martin, which will be broadcast nationwide on PBS stations beginning Tuesday, Jan. 24.

Congratulations to Mildwurf and Corry.

Better late than never

I’ve been remiss in mentioning WPMI’s relatively new sports reporter Kevin McDermond, who replaced the outgoing Ron Johnson in August. McDermond was previously at the NBC affiliate in Albany, Ga. where he was weekend sports anchor for four years.

Speaking of new reporters…

WALA TV-10 New Director Bob Cashen announced that Derica Williams will be joining the station as a reporter Dec. 21. Williams comes to the station from WNYW the Fox owned-and-operated station in New York.

There, she has been a field producer and associate producer. Williams is a graduate of the University of Maryland at College Park and was also a writer and editor for the Capitol Page Alumni Association in Washington, DC.

More going to Ohio

Mobile Register reporter Steve Myers is heading where all Mobile Register reporters seem to go when they leave the Port City — Columbus, Ohio. Myers, who covers the Mobile County Commission, among other things, is heading to Columbus to work in the Kiplinger Program in Journalism at The Ohio State University, where he will follow the 2006 Ohio election and present an integrated multi-media package. His last day at the Register was Dec. 16.

Myers, a native of Ohio, follows fellow Register alums Kii Sato, Monique Curet and Joe Danborn to the Ohio capital.

Rob Holbert is Lagniappe managing editor. Contact him at rholbert@lagniappemobile.com.

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