PBS NewsHour Named Recipient of Two Headliner Awards

PBS NewsHour today received two National Headliner awards, including:

1st Place and Best in Show for its 2020 reporting on the desperate journey faced by migrants along the Darien Gap;
1st Place in the Broadcast, Television Networks, Cable Networks and Syndicators Newscast category for its June 23, 2020 newscast.

The Headliner Awards were created by the Press Club of Atlantic City in 1934.

PBS NewsHour’s Desperate Journey

The Darien Gap, which straddles northern Colombia and southern Panama, is named for the 66-mile long break of the PanAmerican highway. This vast expanse has become the nexus of one of the world’s longest, most dangerous migration routes. As Europe and the U.S. closed their doors to asylum-seekers, thousands were pushed to travel through South America to reach the U.S. But the only way to head north into Panama is by traversing one of the world’s most-hostile jungles – by foot. In this two-part series, NewsHour documented the extraordinary journey of migrants, as they converge in the Darien Gap from many places to tell the larger story of the global migration crisis.

Judges’ comments: Extraordinary, embedded, risk-filled documentary of what refugees are going through as they navigate jungles and rivers heading north to the US. Exceptional reporting and documenting. A daring, danger-filled documentation of what many refugees are going through with a degree of difficulty unmatched by competitors.

Credits: senior foreign affairs producer Morgan Till; special correspondent Nadja Drost; producers Bruno Federico and Carlos Villalón; videographer Bruno Federico; and executive producer Sara Just.

PBS NewsHour – June 23, 2020 Episode

Judges’ Comments: Judy Woodruff and the PBS NewsHour excel at in-depth coverage providing the context that explains to viewers whether they, and/or their communities, can be part of the problem or part of the solution. The program covered a wide range of content and context — from the White House to the front lines of the COVID battle to the unrest in Yemen. Every story was explored in depth, looking at not only why it happened, but why it matters.

Segment lineup from the June 23, 2020 broadcast:

Fauci tells Congress more testing needed to combat ‘disturbing surge’ in virus

As COVID-19 spreads in Texas, an ER doctor begs residents to stay home

News Wrap: Mourners gather in Atlanta for funeral of Rayshard Brooks

Trump’s Phoenix speech brings thousands together indoors — in a virus hot spot

What the future could hold for these symbols of the American past

Monuments, statues and a national reckoning on racial injustice

War-ravaged Yemen facing deadly new threat in COVID-19

How distance learning illuminates disparities among students and teachers