ATLANTA, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gray Television, Inc. (“Gray,” “we,” or “our”) (NYSE: GTN) announced that The Society of Professional Journalists has selected Gray’s WVUE (FOX, New Orleans, Louisiana) for three Sigma Delta Chi Awards, which honor exceptional professional journalism. The Society honored WVUE’s investigative pieces in the 51+ market category in the following three categories:
Documentaries – “Medical Waste” - by Lee Zurik, Jon Turnipseed, Kristen Palestina, Mike Schaefer
Investigative Reporting – “Misjudged” - by Lee Zurik, Jon Turnipseed, Nancy Decorte, Kristen Palestina
Public Service in Television Journalism – “Government Failures” - by Lee Zurik, Tom Wright, Jon Turnipseed, Mike Schaefer
WVUE’s “Misjudged” launched a state investigation and ended a decade-long illegal practice by exposing four judges who broke the law overcharging couples to officiate their weddings while pocketing the cash; then through an exhaustive process of tracking down hundreds of newlyweds, our investigation uncovered one judge misreported her income to the state Supreme Court – a serious offense.
“Government Failures” is a news series that resulted in corruption charges against two public officials, uncovered the government failing to regulate big oil companies, and raised questions about federal government guidelines on organ transplants.
WVUE’s “Medical Waste” unveiled a whistleblower who tipped off the investigative team on a story that changed federal law and saved millions of Americans money on their prescription medication by exposing a secretive, nationwide health insurance scheme in which patients were overcharged through a hidden premium.
“We are proud of these awards and the work WVUE does every day to serve their community,” said Gray Chairman and CEO, Hilton Howell Jr. “Our team in New Orleans is an outstanding example of a commitment to impactful local journalism that is the mission of all Gray stations.”
A total of 77 honorees were selected out of nearly 1,200 submissions from television and radio broadcasts, newspapers, online news outlets and magazines. Winners will be honored at a banquet at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on June 21.
WVUE’s Lee Zurik also serves as Director of Investigations for Gray Television & InvestigateTV, Gray’s award-winning investigative unit which provides innovative, original journalism from a dedicated team and partners. It is available on Roku, Amazon Fire, at InvestigateTV.com and across Gray broadcast and digital media properties.
About Gray:
Gray currently owns and/or operates television stations and leading digital properties in 93 television markets, including the number-one rated television station in 68 markets and the first or second highest rated television station in 87 markets. Gray’s television stations cover approximately 24 percent of US television households and broadcast approximately 400 separate programming streams, including nearly 150 affiliates of the CBS/NBC/ABC/FOX networks. Gray also owns video program production, marketing, and digital businesses including Raycom Sports, Tupelo-Raycom, and RTM Studios, the producer of PowerNation programs and content. For further information, please visit www.gray.tv.
Website: www.gray.tv.
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