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FRONTLINE (PBS) Wins Four News & Documentary Emmy Awards

Emmy Awards (photo credit: Eric Gulliver)
Emmy Awards (photo credit: Eric Gulliver)

By

Anne Husted

September 23, 2020

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences honored FRONTLINE with four Emmy awards at this year’s 41st annual awards ceremony.

On Monday’s “News” Emmy’s ceremony, FRONTLINE was recognized for its investigative newsmagazine reporting. In association with BBC News Arabic, Iraq’s Secret Sex Trade took home two Emmy News Awards for “Outstanding Investigative Report in a Newsmagazine” and “Best Story in a Newsmagazine.” Produced by Nawal al-Maghafi and Patrick Wells, this undercover report investigates how some clerics are abusing an ancient Islamic marriage practice to exploit Iraqi women and girls.

Kids Caught in the Crackdown — FRONTLINE’s documentary in association with The Associated Press that investigated the record-breaking numbers of migrant children in detention under President Trump — won the News Emmy for “Outstanding Continuing Coverage of a News Story in a Newsmagazine.” From producers Daffodil Altan, Andrés Cediel, Sasha Joelle Achilli and the AP’s Garance Burke and Martha Mendoza, Kids Caught in the Crackdown examined what’s going on inside federally funded shelters and the lasting impact on children held in U.S. custody.

Also recognized on Monday evening was FRONTLINE’s short documentary Ebola in Congo, produced and directed by the series’ Abrams Filmmaker-in-Residence, Ben C. Solomon. The documentary, which won the News Emmy for “Outstanding Video Journalism,” follows three health workers who risk their lives to battle the second-largest Ebola outbreak ever, in a region of Democratic Republic of the Congo devastated by decades of conflict.

“These Emmy awards are a testament to our brave reporters who, in some cases, put their lives on the line to shine a light on critical domestic and international issues,” says FRONTLINE’s executive producer, Raney Aronson-Rath. “I am immensely proud of all of our intrepid filmmakers and reporters, whose tough and fair storytelling embodies our journalistic mission.”

Aronson-Rath adds: “This year’s pool of our Emmy-winning and -nominated film teams reflects FRONTLINE’s deep commitment to chronicling the stories of our time through diverse perspectives and voices. We are grateful for the unwavering support of WGBH, PBS and CPB in our pursuit for journalism that moves the needle.”

Read the full list of winners here. Including this year’s wins, FRONTLINE has earned 95 Emmy Awards to date. Watch the winning FRONTLINE documentaries below.

Outstanding Continuing Coverage of a News Story in a Newsmagazine

Kids Caught in the Crackdown (Credits)

Outstanding Investigative Report in a Newsmagazine

Iraq’s Secret Sex Trade (Credits)

Outstanding Video Journalism: News

Ebola in Congo (Credits)

Best Story in a Newsmagazine

Iraq’s Secret Sex Trade (Credits)

 

Correction as of Sept. 25, 2020: FRONTLINE reconciled award totals and has adjusted the overall number of Emmy wins from 97 to 95.

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Anne Husted

Director of Marketing & Communications, FRONTLINE

Email:

anne_husted@wgbh.org
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FRONTLINE is a registered trademark of WGBH Educational Foundation. Web Site Copyright ©1995-2025 WGBH Educational Foundation. PBS is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

Funding for FRONTLINE is provided through the support of PBS viewers and by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Additional funding is provided by the Abrams Foundation; Park Foundation; the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation; and the FRONTLINE Journalism Fund with major support from Jon and Jo Ann Hagler on behalf of the Jon L. Hagler Foundation, and additional support from Koo and Patricia Yuen. FRONTLINE is a registered trademark of WGBH Educational Foundation. Web Site Copyright ©1995-2025 WGBH Educational Foundation. PBS is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

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