WFSU staff took home six of this year’s Florida Excellence in News Awards presented by the Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists. Winners were announced on May 7, 2022, at the Wyndham Orlando Resort. More than 40 radio and television stations submitted more than 550 entries in the contest which featured content produced in 2021 by public and commercial news outlets from across Florida.
WFSU’s Valerie Crowder took top prize for weather reporting, Patricia Moynihan for digital programming, and Robbie Gaffney for education reporting (single). Gina Jordan earned finalist awards in the categories of series/franchise light and feature reporting light, and Robbie Gaffney in investigative reporting. See the full list of WFSU staff awards and links to stories below.
FABJ also honored three veteran journalists at the event including Claire Metz of WESH-TV (Orlando), Mike Vasilinda of the Capitol News Service (statewide), and Paris Janos of WJHG-TV (Panama City Beach) with FABJ 2022 Legacy Awards. The FABJ Legacy Award pays tribute to those who have given 25 years or more of service to the profession of journalism with majority service at least in the State of Florida. Ronald J. Ebben, formally of WFSU-FM, was honored with the award in 2018.
2022 FABJ Florida Excellence in News Awards presented to WFSU staff
Winner
- Weather Reporting: Three years after Hurricane Michael, more work is needed before Bay County fully recovers (Valerie Crowder)
- Digital Programming: Class of COVID-19: An Education Crisis For Florida’s Vulnerable Students (Patricia Moynihan, Jessica Bakeman, News Team of Florida Public Media)
- Education Reporting Single: For Special Education Students, A Potential Side Effect Of COVID-19 School Closures: Struggling To Communicate (Robbie Gaffney, Jessica Bakeman, Florida Public Media)
Finalist
- Series / Franchise Light: Theatres reopen after pandemic shutdowns (Gina Jordan)
- Feature Reporting Light: Lemurs and other exotic animals promote conversation in North Florida (Gina Jordan)
- Investigative Reporting: Former FSU professor faces allegations of sexual misconduct, allowed to retire amid investigation (Robbie Gaffney)
About Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists
Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists (FABJ) is a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit organization, supported by broadcast journalism professionals employed by commercial and public television and radio stations, as well as those employed by and/or enrolled in college-level broadcast journalism operations. The mission of the Board of the Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists is to advocate the advancement of broadcast journalism.
About WFSU Public Media
WFSU Public Media enriches lives and cultivates diverse perspectives by connecting our community through media content and services that inform, educate, and entertain. WFSU provides quality public broadcasting services to the North Florida and South Georgia areas and is both an NPR and PBS member located in Tallahassee, Florida. In Panama City, WFSU Public Media is known as WFSG-TV and WFSW-FM.
WFSU Public Media also provides community engagement and educational services. Examples include Ready To Learn Community Collaboratives for Early Learning & Media, the American Graduate Project, and children's projects associated with PBS KIDS.