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NEPM is honored by the Public Media Journalists Association and the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Boston/New England Chapter

Springfield, MA (July 6, 2021) New England Public Media is happy to announce that it has recently been recognized for exceptional work in both radio and television.

On June 24, NEPM won a coveted award from the Public Media Journalists Association for a commentary produced by NEPM’s Tema Silk. The winning entry, “Searching For Grace While Black And Blue,” featured a reflection by Andréa Comer, a Black woman who is married to a Black police officer. NEPM took first place in the Commentary category for Division B — stations with 4-7 full-time staff in their news departments. This marks the fifth consecutive year where NEPM has won an award in this category.

 

Silk, commenting on the importance of local voices, noted, “We are very fortunate that NEPM is committed to running on our air curated, local commentaries which offer our listeners a different way to hear and gain insight from people living in our community. Andréa Comer has delivered several hard-hitting and elegantly written commentaries to our listeners over the last few years. ‘Searching For Grace While Black And Blue’ is a searing and important piece written in the immediate aftermath of George Floyd’s death. I am delighted for Comer that it has received this national honor.”

The Public Media Journalists Association (PMJA) is an association representing those responsible for the day-to-day direction, reporting and editing of local public media newsrooms. That includes, but is not limited to, news directors, broadcast and digital editors, and newsroom managers.

Then on June 26, at the 44th New England Emmy Ceremony, NEPM’s Ross Lippman won in the category of “Video Journalist No Time Limit” for a composite of some of his work on NEPM’s Connecting Point this past year. Each year, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Boston/New England Chapter honors the best in the business with the Emmy Awards, the highest honor in the television industry.

Connecting Point Executive Producer Tony Dunne explained, “Just getting a nomination is rare, and an accomplishment in and of itself. To win is truly something special, and a great achievement — especially when your work is going up against competing content from colleagues in the top 10 Boston market! Since joining the then WGBY, Ross has been an integral member of the Connecting Pointteam, consistently delivering high quality, impactful storytelling. We’ve long known the caliber of work he produces here at NEPM, but it’s gratifying to have our peers in the industry acknowledge it as well.”

For Lippman, receiving this award for work done during the pandemic held particular significance. “It was very exciting to be recognized for my overall work as a video journalist in 2020, a year that saw us all face immense challenges. I’m incredibly grateful to work alongside a team of talented journalists on Connecting Point. The three stories that were a part of this submission are a good reminder that when given the time to go further and deeper with a story, it can make such a big difference.”

Lippman’s composite included “Springfield’s Say Their Names Mural,” “Reckoning with Racial Justice in South Hadley,” and “Westfield Starfires Take the Field During Pandemic.”

 

ABOUT NEW ENGLAND PUBLIC MEDIA
New England Public Media is a community-supported, independent non-profit organization based in Springfield, MA.Through a deep commitment to independent local journalism, trusted educational content, inspired cultural offerings, and civic engagement, NEPM endeavors to share new voices and inspire new conversations. It provides audiences with a broad array of local and national programs across all media—TV, radio, online, and mobile, including PBS and NPR programs as well as locally produced series, podcasts and specials. Its four digital TV channels, and two radio networks present news, jazz and classical music, documentaries, talk, drama, plus cultural and educational programming.

NEPM brings quality public television programs to audiences across western New England, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs, to hear diverse viewpoints, and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS KIDS helps children build critical literacy, math and social-emotional skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. NEPM’s locally produced television programming includes the magazine-format public affairs show Connecting Point, the bilingual series Presencia, and the academic quiz show As Schools Match Wits. NEPM is available over the air on digital channel 57-1 and on cable throughout western Massachusetts and northwestern Connecticut and can be seen in high definition in western Massachusetts at Comcast 857, Time Warner 1221, Spectrum 782, and over the air on channel 57.

New England Public Media’s radio presence provides an essential and trusted voice for the region through local reporting and locally-produced music programming, and by connecting the region to the world through its partnership with NPR and other national and international public media organizations. Its flagship signal, 88.5FM WFCR, and 5 repeating stations in Berkshire County, presents news, jazz, and classical music, while the six stations of the NEPM News Network provide the region with news, talk, and cultural programming 24/7.