Written by Eric Holder, University of Georgia, Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, Public Relations department head, the Peabody Awards
New York – Today at the 61st Annual Peabody Awards Luncheon hosted by Walter Cronkite, at the Waldorf=Astoria in New York City, it was announced that “The DNA Files” has been awarded the prestigious Peabody/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Award for Excellence in Health and Media Programming. “The DNA Files,” a five-part radio series exploring the mystery of genetic science, hosted by Peabody Award winner, John Hockenberry and produced by SoundVision, was broadcast on National Public Radio.
The Peabody Awards, considered the broadcast and cable industry`s most sought after prize, entered into a partnership in 1998 with The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation of Princeton, N.J., with the goal of encouraging increased in-depth coverage of health-related issues by electronic media. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is the nation`s largest philanthropic organization devoted exclusively to health care and has awarded more than $2 billion in grants since its inception in 1972.
As the winner of the Peabody/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Award, producers of “The DNA Files” receive a $10,000 cash award to produce additional programming in the areas of health and/or medicine. Additionally, “The DNA Files” will be repackaged with helpful information on producing health/medical-related programming. This will be distributed free of charge to television and radio newsrooms, broadcast professionals and medical communicators across the United States to encourage more quality health related and medical programming.
“The DNA Files” was awarded the distinction by a special selection committee including Dr. Henry W. Foster, Jr., a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn.
To be eligible for the Peabody/Robert Wood Johnson Award, a program must have first been honored with a Peabody. Peabody-winning programs focusing on health or medical issues are eligible for further recognition with the Peabody/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Award because of their subject matter.
The deadline for the Fifth Annual Peabody/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Award is Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2003.