WGCU-FM added more accolades to a winning year on June 23 when it was honored with four national awards from the nonprofit Public Radio News Directors Inc.
WGCU won first place in the nation in Division B, for stations with four to seven full-time employees, in the following categories:
- Breaking News, for “Hurricane Irma Hits Southwest Florida,” by station staff.
- Newscast, “All Things Considered Feb. 6th Newscast,” by Jessica Meszaros.
- News/Public Affairs Program, “Trump’s Immigration Orders Hit Home in Southwest Florida,” by Julie Glenn and Matt Smith.
WGCU also won second place for Best Writing for Meszaros’ report “Artificial Mangroves Could Bring Back Vanishing Habitats in Florida.”
“This recognition by Public Radio News Directors from all across the country is testament to the hard work and commitment to excellence that our news team displays every day in service to the communities of Southwest Florida,” said WGCU General Manager Rick Johnson.
The Public Radio News Directors Inc. contest is the only national competition recognizing outstanding public radio news reporting at local stations.More than 190 awards were presented at the association’s annual conference in Philadelphia.Stations compete in categories based on staff size.
WGCU Public Media is Southwest Florida’s source for PBS and NPR programming. As a member-supported service of Florida Gulf Coast University, its mission is to provide educational programming that inspires, informs and engages our community. Serving seven counties and representing one-fifth of the state of Florida with five distinct digital TV channels, two FM radio channels and two HD radio channels and multiple websites, WGCU delivers national and international programming and develops, produces and delivers relevant, informative and educational local programs to the Southwest Florida community. Follow WGCU on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.