ABC-7 wins regional Edward R. Murrow Award
EL PASO, Texas -- KVIA-TV ABC-7 has been honored with one of the most respected awards in journalism, a regional Edward R. Murrow Award for its continuing coverage of the August 3, 2019 mass shooting at the Cielo Vista Wal-Mart. The award is conferred by the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) to broadcasters who embody the values, principles and high standards set forth by broadcast journalism pioneer Edward R. Murrow.
When news of the shooting broke, numerous ABC-7 employees dropped what they were doing that Saturday, reported to work, and began producing continuous coverage of the tragedy, keeping a focus on confirmed factual reporting. Erik Elken, Stephanie Valle, Mauricio Casillas and Estela Casas anchored a broadcast that continued more than ten straight hours, continually emphasizing the station’s commitment not to report rumors, and verify every new piece of information it learned.
News director Brenda de Anda-Swann said, “This was the most critical test any station could face in service to its community. I’m proud that our team was able to find the balance between providing important information the Borderland needed, while maintaining a sense of dignity and sensitivity for the victims of this terrible crime.”
Regional Murrow Award winners automatically advance to the National Murrow Award. National winners will be announced in New York October 12, 2020.
ABC-7 is the Borderland’s preeminent broadcast news outlet. Our news department airs six hours of locally produced news each weekday, and has the top-rated local newscast in every time slot.
