StateImpact Oklahoma has won a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for Continuing Coverage of the Oklahoma Opioid Trial from the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) for stories aired during 2019.
Former StateImpact reporter Jackie Fortiér was in court for all 33 days of Oklahoma's opioid trial and had 69 local newscast spots, 47 NPR newscast spots, nine live interviews with NPR (Morning Edition, All Things Considered, 1A & Up First), five national feature stories for NPR, six local feature stories, three international interviews (Irish Public Radio, Austrian Public Radio), two web-only posts on NPR.org and one live interview with PBS NewsHour.
"Covering the opioid trial was a lot like reporting on a wildfire. It's different every day, it takes very long hours, and you're never sure when it will be over," Fortiér told us in July 2019. "It's a hugely important story that people are very interested in, but most can't watch nine hours of court each day. I saw my role as sifting through the hours of testimony to report on not only what happened, but what it means for the state's future."
All of Jackie's coverage can be found here and below are a few of her key stories:
- 'Precedent Setting' Opioid Trial To Begin In Oklahoma
- Johnson & Johnson Profited From Both Sides Of Opioid Crisis, Says Epidemic Expert
- Opioid Case Against Johnson & Johnson Is In The Hands Of Oklahoma Judge
- Pain Meds As Public Nuisance? Oklahoma Tests A Legal Strategy For Opioid Addiction
- Medical Boards Lack Process For Opioid Complaints
- Here's What Happened To The $829 Million Oklahoma Was Awarded To Treat Opioid Addiction
I covered the trial to the best of my abilities. Thank you to everyone who listened/read it. Thank you, public radio members of @StateImpactOK @KOSURadio @kgounews @KWGSNEWS and @KCCURadio. As always, if you value our work, support public radio!
— Jackie Fortiér (@JackieFortier) May 12, 2020
This most recent round of awards brings to 26 the number of Regional Murrow Awards KOSU and StateImpact Oklahoma have won. A complete list of winners is available on the RTDNA website.
This year’s winners were judged in 14 regions and represent more than 350 local radio and TV newsrooms across the U.S. and four countries.
Regional winners are automatically entered in the national Edward R. Murrow Awards competition, which will be judged this summer and presented in October.
StateImpact Oklahoma is a collaboration of NPR member stations in Oklahoma, including KOSU in Oklahoma City, KGOU in Norman, KWGS in Tulsa and KCCU in Lawton.
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