WKSU RECEIVES FIVE AWARDS FROM OHIO ASSOCIATED PRESS BROADCASTERS

Thursday June 12, 2008

For immediate release
Contact: Robert J. Burford, WKSU
(330) 672-3114
burford@wksu.org

Judges lauded the WKSU newsroom as "an impressive staff at an obviously impressive station" as the station was recognized with five awards in the Large Market division of the annual contest conducted by Ohio Associated Press Broadcasters, including two first-place prizes during a luncheon ceremony June 1 at the Hilton Columbus. The station competed with other commercial and non-commercial radio operations in major Ohio media markets, including Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, and the Ohio News Network.

WKSU Reporter/Producer Amanda Rabinowitz was honored as Best Reporter in Ohio for the second consecutive year based on her body of work produced during 2007. This year, Rabinowitz took the prize in the Large Market division for the first time with judges offering, "Amanda's versatility and exceptional use of ambient and natural sound separate her from the pack! Outstanding!" Her previous award was for work she created at WJER-AM in Dover.

Rabinowitz also took home a second-place award for Best Documentary or Series for her long-form story on Northeast Ohio residents who aided the American war effort during WWII from the homefront. Judges said, "Spectacular entry in one of the most competitive categories judged. Second by the narrowest of margins. Superb job, Amanda!"

Vivian Goodman, local host of NPR's "Morning Edition," was recognized as Best Anchor-Large Market with the judges citing her "clear and clean delivery" that was "easy to follow." Along with hosting afternoon news programs on WKSU, Goodman is also an award-winning reporter.

Reporter/Producer Karen Schaefer received a second-place award in Best Enterprise Reporting-Large Market for "Asian Businesses Respond," a report that looked at concerns in the U.S. over the safety of Chinese-made products through the eyes of local Asian merchants. Judges called the story, "Innovative, ahead of the gate, taking the story deeper than most."

Under News Director M.L. Schultze, the WKSU Newsroom was honored as the second-place Outstanding News Operation-Large Market. The judges were "impressed by the variety of issues covered and clear dedication to use of sound."

The OAPB aims to advance the profession of journalism, to cooperate with The Associated Press in the exchange of accurate, impartial news reports and to serve as liaison between The Associated Press and its members.

WKSU broadcasts NPR & Classical Music at 89.7 FM, and is a service of Kent State University. WKSU programming is also heard on WKRW 89.3 FM in Wooster, WKRJ 91.5 FM in Dover/New Philadelphia, WKSV 89.1 FM in Thompson, WNRK 90.7 in Norwalk, W298BA 107.5 FM in Boardman, and W239AZ 95.7 FM in Ashland. The WKSU web site is www.wksu.org.

PR08.08 ###       6/02/08
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