War coverage earns kudos for TV, radio

ABC’s “Nightline,” CBS News and National Public Radio were named winners Sunday of the prestigious Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards for broadcast journalism for their coverage of the war in Iraq.

“TV and radio journalists covering the war in Iraq reached an historic turning point in war coverage with the practice of embedding journalists with military units and the immediacy of satellite technology,” said David A. Klatell, chairman of the selection jury and academic dean at the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism. “But only a few news organizations used these journalistic opportunities to give the American people the context the war story deserved. That takes time and responsible editing.”

The jurors singled out “Nightline” and anchor Ted Koppel for his program “Tip of the Spear,” CBS News and correspondent David Martin for his coverage of national security and National Public Radio for war coverage that was “ambitious, dramatic, personal and intelligent.”

Among the 10 other duPont-Columbia awards for programming broadcast between July 1, 2002, and June 30, 2003, three went to the PBS documentary series “Frontline” for programs about child welfare, spirituality in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and accidents at foundries owned by McWane Inc.

The awards will be presented Jan. 21 at Columbia University.