KUT-FM WINS BIG
KUT-FM, (NPR) the public radio station operated at The University of Texas is the only Austin station, radio or television to be honored with Regional Edward R. Murrow awards in 2009. If you regularly punch up 90.5 on the dial, you are not surprised. If you are not a regular listener, you may want to include them among your presets.
Radio news virtually disappeared in the mid-1980s when radio and television was deregulated during the Ronald Reagan administration. Nowadays, only KUT-FM and KLBJ-AM make serious attempts to cover local stories. The KLBJ-AM news department supplies news to other Emmis radio stations at what one former DJ called the “Radio Mall” on North I-35. Other stations have may have news readers, but little beat and remote reporting is going on.
So, it is worthy of praise and notice when local radio wins news awards. Further, these aren’t run-of-the-mill recognitions:
Radio news virtually disappeared in the mid-1980s when radio and television was deregulated during the Ronald Reagan administration. Nowadays, only KUT-FM and KLBJ-AM make serious attempts to cover local stories. The KLBJ-AM news department supplies news to other Emmis radio stations at what one former DJ called the “Radio Mall” on North I-35. Other stations have may have news readers, but little beat and remote reporting is going on.
So, it is worthy of praise and notice when local radio wins news awards. Further, these aren’t run-of-the-mill recognitions:
KUT-FM Overall Excellence
Continuing Coverage for the “West Texas Compound Raid and Aftermath”
News Documentary for “Amazing Grace: The Story of Willie Nelson”
Sports Reporting for “Austin Baseball Anniversary”
These regional winners will are now eligible for national awards.
© Jim McNabb, 2009