ATLANTA — The Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) has awarded three Gray Television-owned broadcast television stations for “outstanding watchdog journalism.” The honors were announced on Saturday (6/22) at the group’s annual ceremony saluting the best investigative journalism across broadcast, print, and online media.
WSMV-4 in Nashville won Video Division III for “The Thin Blurred Line.” The series of stories by WSMV4 Investigates exposed how unlicensed civilians were able to wear badges, carry guns, and falsely present themselves as police officers. The team’s findings included convicted felons allowed to dress as police officers. Six state investigations are actively pending following the airing of the stories. The judges’ comments praised how WSMV’s “diligent and direct work made an impact.”
WLBT-3 in Jackson, Miss., won Video Division IV for “Side Hustle.” The investigation found substantial evidence that a local mayor and police chief could be committing time sheet fraud and getting paid for work they were not doing in other taxpayer-funded jobs. Over the course of the investigation spanning more than a year, the mayor resigned. Days after the piece aired, the police chief resigned. The state auditor’s office opened an investigation into both men, specifically focusing on areas first exposed by WLBT’s reporting. The judges noted how WLBT “relied on meticulous documentation and spun their findings into a compelling story that got results.”
Then, there is Gray’s CBS flagship station in Atlanta, the recently branded WANF-46. It was a finalist in Video Division II for “In Plane Sight.” The Atlanta News First investigation exposed how plainclothes Drug Enforcement Agents searched innocent passengers at airport gates across the U.S., looking for cash and keeping the money they seized. In their comments, judges pointed out how WANF’s “ground tactics coupled with the reporter’s success in revealing redacted data on public records led to congressional action aimed at changing DEA authority and practice.” WANF-46 also recently received the Large Market Television Station Award at the Celebration of Service to America awards for the series.
“Impactful investigative journalism that generates results is a core component of Gray’s commitment to the communities we serve,” Gray Chief Operating Officer Sandy Breland said. “We are proud of our news teams’ relentless pursuit of the truth and honored by these awards for their remarkable work.”
Gray Senior Vice President of News Strategy and Innovation Lee Zurik added, “This is why we invest in training our investigators. Gray brought more journalists to the IRE Conference than any other group because this is the work that makes a difference to our audiences.”
