News Series Receives Top Honors in Multi-State Competition
ABC Action News/WFTS has been honored with a regional Edward R. Murrow award for the ongoing news series, “Crisis in Corrections.” The award was given to ABC Action News/WFTS by the Radio Television Digital News Association after comparing all large market news stations in the southeast United States, including the cities of Atlanta, Miami, Jacksonville, Orlando, and the Tampa Bay area.
In “Crisis in Corrections,” the ABC Action News I-Team reveals the factors building to what some state leaders call a breaking point in the Florida Department of Corrections— understaffing, healthcare issues and dangerous conditions growing inside state prisons. Our team of investigative journalists are uncovering what’s at stake in the state’s largest agency and the third-largest prison system in the country and the impact beyond prison gates.
Watch the special and related stories: ABCActionNews.com/Prison
“This award shows the importance we place on quality journalism; shining a light on issues that directly affect our communities and the whole state,” said General Manager Nick Nicholson.
News Director Sarah Moore commented, “We work hard to provide meaningful news reporting that sets us apart. I’m proud that our team at ABC Action News is being recognized by other journalists for living up to the high standard this award represents.”
The Radio Television Digital News Association has been honoring outstanding achievements in journalism with the Edward R. Murrow Awards since 1971 and are considered among the most prestigious in broadcast and digital news. According to the organization, award recipients “demonstrate the spirit of excellence that Murrow set as a standard for the profession.”
About WFTS/ABC Action News
WFTS-TV is the primary ABC network affiliate for the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Sarasota television market, programming a strong schedule of news, sports and entertainment. WFTS/ABC Action News was the first broadcast station newscast in the Tampa Bay area to broadcast in high definition. ABC Action News has been named the Associated Press’ Best Overall News Operation for multiple years. ABC Action News leads the way providing local news and weather coverage on-air, on the web and on streaming platforms with ABC Action News PLUS. WFTS-TV is a Scripps Media station. For additional information, visit the WFTS-TV website at www.abcactionnews.com
About Scripps
The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) is a diversified media company focused on creating a better-informed world. As the nation’s fourth-largest local TV broadcaster, Scripps serves communities with quality, objective local journalism and operates a portfolio of 61 stations in 41 markets. The Scripps Networks reach nearly every American through the national news outlets Court TV and Newsy and popular entertainment brands ION, Bounce, Grit, Laff and Court TV Mystery. Scripps is the nation’s largest holder of broadcast spectrum. Scripps runs an award-winning investigative reporting newsroom in Washington, D.C., and is the longtime steward of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Founded in 1878, Scripps has held for decades to the motto, “Give light and the people will find their own way.”