25 Apr FOX31 Wins National SPJ and Regional Murrow Awards
Problem Solvers Investigative Team is honored for “School of Secrets” Series
Denver, CO – April 25, 2019 – FOX31 Denver, Tribune Broadcasting’s FOX affiliate, has been recognized with a National Sigma Delta Chi Award by the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) and two Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards for 2019.
The FOX31 Problem Solver Investigative team of Chris Halsne, Chris Koeberl, Isaias Medina and Noah Skinner won the SPJ’s Sigma Delta Chi Award for Investigative Reporting for School of Secrets. The team poured through thousands of records to confirm the Cherry Creek School District was hiding the number of sex assaults occurring on its campuses. We uncovered dozens of sex assaults that went unreported to the Colorado State Department of Education, held the district superintendent accountable, exposed how a middle school teacher’s assaults were finally discovered and interviewed a parent whose son’s allegations of sex assault were never reported. At the end of the day, children in the school district will be made safer as a result of this important investigation.
The SPJ’s Sigma Delta Chi Awards date back to 1932, when the Society first honored six individuals for contributions to journalism. The awards recognize the best in professional journalism in categories covering print, radio, television, online and research.
The same team won a Regional Murrow Award in the Investigative Category for the same series of reports. This award honors outstanding achievements in journalism and this year there were a record 4,600 entries. The winning entries now compete against all other regional winners for the national award.
In addition, photojournalist George Taylor won a Regional Murrow for Excellence in Sound, the story of Victor Guitars, which is far more than an average small business. Over the decades, it has become a classroom for training musicians in a way they never expected…all for the love of music.
“We are so proud of our award-winning investigative team and photojournalists,” said Joan Barrett, VP and General Manager of KDVR-TV. “Our Problem Solvers are dedicated to improving our community by holding the powerful accountable and investigating issues impacting Coloradans. Our team continues to set the bar high for the Denver media market.”
Tribune Media Company (NYSE: TRCO) is home to a diverse portfolio of television and digital properties driven by quality news, entertainment and sports programming. Tribune Media is comprised of Tribune Broadcasting’s 42 owned or operated local television stations reaching approximately 49 million households, national entertainment cable network WGN America, whose reach is more than 75 million households, Tribune Studios, and a variety of digital applications and websites commanding 49 million monthly unique visitors online. Tribune Media also includes Chicago’s WGN-AM, the national multicast networks Antenna TV and THIS TV and Covers Media Group, an unrivaled source of online sports betting information. Additionally, the Company owns and manages a significant number of real estate properties across the U.S. and holds a variety of investments, including a 31% interest in Television Food Network, G.P., which operates Food Network and Cooking Channel. For more information please visit www.tribunemedia.com.
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