FRONTLINE Wins Six Emmy Awards

Four documentaries from FRONTLINE, the acclaimed investigative series on PBS, won six Emmy Awards last night at the 36th Annual News & Documentary Emmys — including in the ceremony’s prestigious culminating category, Best Documentary.

United States of Secrets, a two-part investigation of NSA mass surveillance from veteran FRONTLINE filmmakers Michael Kirk and Martin Smith and their teams, took home two Emmys, including the Best Documentary prize. The series was previously honored with the duPont-Columbia Award and the Peabody Award.

Firestone and the Warlord, FRONTLINE and ProPublica’s investigation of the relationship between the iconic tire company and Liberian warlord Charles Taylor, also earned two Emmys. The investigation, from FRONTLINE producer Marcela Gaviria and reporters T. Christian Miller of ProPublica and Jonathan Jones, had previously won an IRE Award and a Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award.

The Battle for Ukraine, producer James Jones’ on-the-ground look at deep-seated hatreds on both sides of the conflict, and Hunting Boko Haram, producer Evan Williams’ investigation of Nigeria’s controversial and violent efforts to fight the terrorist group and “Bring Back Our Girls,” also earned Emmys.

“It’s such an honor for our work to be recognized in this way,” says Raney Aronson-Rath, the executive producer of FRONTLINE. “All of our winners and nominees have dedicated themselves to uncovering untold stories — and then telling them with fairness and depth, and in powerful and compelling ways.”

“We’re privileged to have worked with such talented journalists and producers,” says David Fanning, FRONTLINE founder and now the series’ executive producer at large. “We’re especially grateful to all of our viewers and funders, especially PBS and CPB, and to WGBH, which has been FRONTLINE’s home since its inception.”

Including this year’s wins, FRONTLINE has earned 75 Emmy Awards to date.

PBS was the most-decorated network of the night, with 17 wins. You can read the full list of all winners from The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences here — and you can watch the winning FRONTLINE documentaries below.

Best Documentary & Outstanding Continuing Coverage of a Current News Story — Long Form

United States of Secrets: A two-part series exploring how the U.S. government came to spy on millions of Americans. (Part One Credits; Part Two Credits)

Outstanding Investigative Journalism — Long Form & Outstanding Research

Firestone and the Warlord: What are the costs of doing business in a war zone? FRONTLINE and ProPublica explore how Firestone conducted business during Liberia’s brutal civil war. (Credits) 

Outstanding Coverage of a Breaking News Story in a News Magazine

The Battle for Ukraine: Who’s fighting who — and why? An on-the-ground exploration of the deep-seated hatreds on both sides of the conflict. (Credits) 

Outstanding Investigative Journalism in a News Magazine

Hunting Boko Haram: An investigation finds that in the battle against Boko Haram, Nigerian forces may be committing the same kinds of atrocities as the terrorists they’re fighting. (Credits) 

Correction: A previous version of this story said that FRONTLINE was awarded at the 35th Annual News & Documentary Emmys. The ceremony was the 36th.