The 90.5 WESA newsroom is the recipient of eight Keystone Media Awards presented by the Pennsylvania News Media Association, including “Outstanding News Operation” for large market radio. The awards were announced April 29.
The Keystone Media Awards reinforce excellence by individuals in the news media profession, by recognizing journalism that consistently provides relevance, integrity, and initiative in serving readers and audiences, and faithfully fulfills its First Amendment rights/responsibilities. Further, the Keystone Media Awards stimulate journalists to improve their craft and ultimately improve their community.
“I am incredibly proud of the journalism our newsroom has produced over the past 16 months. Our reporters, editors, hosts and producers approach their work with unrivaled passion and commitment, as demonstrated by this recognition from the Pennsylvania News Media Association,” said Liz Reid, acting managing editor at 90.5 WESA. “At its core, our work is about community service, and we are honored to serve the residents of Pittsburgh and the broader region daily.”
The station received 14 nods across 13 categories:
Best News Operation (Large Market Radio)
First Place
Best Newscast- Maria Scapellato and Doug Shugarts, Morning Edition 3/24/20
Best Spot News Coverage- Kiley Koscinski, Liz Reid, Katie Blackley, Sarah Kovash, 'This Is Not A Riot!' Hundreds March Through East End, Beechview; Doctors Protest In Oakland
Best Feature- Lucy Perkins, Amid Concerns Of Suppression, Black Voters In Pittsburgh Turn To Early Voting
Best Documentary- Margaret J. Krauss, Land & Power
Best Public Service- Ariel Worthy, Some Worry Coronavirus Will Amplify Racial Disparities In Health Care
Best Reporter/Anchor- Lucy Perkins
Best Regularly Scheduled News or Sports Talk Program- Kevin Gavin, Marylee Williams, Julia Zenkevich, The Confluence: Tree of Life Community Still Grieving, Healing Two Years After Attack
Second Place
Best Public Service- Sarah Schneider, Advocates Say Remote Teaching Puts English Language Learners In An Impossible Situation
Best Digital Presence-Sarah Kovash, Katie Blackley, wesa.fm
Honorable Mention
Best Continuing Coverage- WESA News Staff, COVID-19 Pandemic
Best Series- Lucy Perkins, Split Ticket
Best Enterprise Reporting- Kate Giammarise, 'Just Scraping By': Families in PA Waiting On Additional Food Stamps As Court Fight Continues
Best Use of Sound (Radio Only)- Liz Reid, Katie Blackley, Pittsburgh Explainer May 25-29: Summer Scotch, Cookout Jams & Red-Eyed Vireos
