WBBM Newsradio 780-105.9 FM Wins National Edward R Murrow Award
CHICAGO (CBS) -- WBBM Newsradio 780 & 105.9 FM has been honored with a National Edward R Murrow Award for Large Market Breaking News Coverage for their extensive coverage following the public release of the video capturing the shooting of Laquan McDonald.
On Oct. 20, 2014, 17-year-old Laquan McDonald, armed with a knife, was shot 16 times by Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke at close range.
Dashboard camera footage from a police cruiser was released to the public by court order on November 24, 2015 after demand by independent investigators. On the same day the video was released, Van Dyke was charged with first-degree murder.
Due to the nature of the police involved shooting, this local story garnered national attention.
WBBM Newsradio reported on the events following the video release including public protests, demonstrations, political turmoil, demands for investigation on how the case was handled, and the firing of Chicago's police superintendent.
American radio and television broadcast journalist, Edward R. Murrow, is best known for his high profile role as a foreign correspondent during World War II and for a line of reports that contributed to the downfall of Senator Joseph McCarthy.
Established in 1971, the Edward R. Murrow Award is given by The Radio Television Digital News Association has for outstanding achievements in electronic journalism. For more details on the announcement, please click here.
