The 1997 Edward R. Murrow Awards were presented by the Radio-Television News Directors Association (RTNDA), now renamed the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) in recognition of what the association terms "outstanding achievements in electronic journalism." National winners were selected from a pool of regional award winners. Below are the 1997 national and regional award winners, which recognizes coverage that aired during the previous 1996 calendar year.
Categories that are not listed either had no entrants or the entries received were not deemed worthy of the award. For regional awards, it is worth noting the states included in each region have changed through the years. The lists below indicate which states are included in each region for the 1997 awards. The category currently called Breaking News was called "Spot News Coverage" in 1997, so the lists below have been edited to read Breaking/Spot News to avoid any confusion.
The information on this page was retrieved using the Archive.org Internet Wayback Machine to access the now defunct website for RTNDA, a domain that was abandoned when the organization was renamed RTDNA.
1997 National Edward R. Murrow Award Winners
Local Radio Small Market Division
Overall Excellence: WHO-AM, Des Moines, IA Newscast: WIVK-AM, Knoxville, TN Breaking/Spot News Coverage: KFGO-AM, Fargo, ND Continuing Coverage: WSYR-AM, Syracuse, NY Investigative Reporting: WIVK-AM, Knoxville, TN Sports Reporting: WJDX/WMSI-FM, Jackson, MS News Series: WHAS-AM, Louisville, KY News Documentary: WUAL-FM, Tuscaloosa, AL
Local Radio Large Market Division
Overall Excellence: WBAL-AM, Baltimore Newscast: WBZ-AM, Boston Breaking/Spot News Coverage: WGST-AM, Atlanta Continuing Coverage: WFLS-AM, Fredericksburg, VA Investigative Reporting: WJR-AM, Detroit Feature Reporting: WBAP-AM, Arlington, TX Sports Reporting: WBAL-AM, Baltimore News Series: WLW-AM, Cincinnati News Documentary: WMNF-FM, Tampa, FL Use of Sound: KCBS-AM, San Francisco
Local Television Small Market Division
Overall Excellence: WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL Newscast: WOKR-TV, Rochester, NY Breaking/Spot News Coverage: KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA Continuing Coverage: KREM-TV, Spokane, WA Investigative Reporting: WWMT-TV, Kalamazoo, MI Feature Reporting: KSL-TV, Salt Lake City, UT Sports Reporting: WBRC-TV, Birmingham, AL News Series: KWTV, Oklahoma City, OK News Documentary: KREM-TV, Spokane, WA Use of Video: WAVE-TV, Louisville, KY
Local Television Large Market Division
Overall Excellence: KARE-TV, Minneapolis Newscast: WCVB-TV, Needham, MA Breaking/Spot News Coverage: WEWS-TV, Cleveland Continuing Coverage: KATU-TV, Portland, OR Investigative Reporting: WAGA-TV, Atlanta Feature Reporting: WFAA-TV, Dallas Sports Reporting: WITI-TV, Milwaukee News Series: WXYZ-TV, Southfield, MI News Documentary: WJLA-TV, Washington Use of Video: KTVT-TV, Fort Worth, TX
Network Radio Division
Overall Excellence: ABC News Radio, New York Newscast: ABC News Radio, New York Breaking/Spot News Coverage: North Carolina News Network, Raleigh, NC Continuing Coverage: ABC News Radio, New York Feature Reporting: ABC News Radio, New York News Series: Wisconsin Public Radio, Madison, WI
Network Television Division
Newscast: Univision Network News, Miami Breaking/Spot News Coverage: Dateline NBC, New York Continuing Coverage: Nightline, ABC News, New York Investigative Reporting: Dateline NBC, New York Feature Reporting: Dateline NBC, New York Sports Reporting: Dateline NBC, New York News Series: Dateline NBC, New York News Documentary: Turning Point, ABC News, New York
1997 Regional Edward R. Murrow Award Winners
Region 1: Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
Region 1: Radio Small Market
Newscast: KSL-AM, Salt Lake City Breaking/Spot News Coverage: KFQD-AM, Anchorage, AK Continuing Coverage: KUNM-FM, Albuquerque, NM Feature Reporting: KTOO-FM, Juneau, AK News Series: KSL-AM, Salt Lake City
Region 1: Radio Large Market
Overall Excellence: KOMO-AM, Seattle Newscast: KOMO-AM, Seattle Continuing Coverage: KEX-AM, Portland, OR Feature Reporting: KGMI-AM, Bellingham, WA News Series: KEX-AM, Portland, OR Sports Reporting: KOA-AM, Denver Use of Sound: KPLU-FM, Tacoma, WA
Region 1: Television Small Market
Overall Excellence: KREM-TV, Spokane, WA Newscast: KSL-TV, Salt Lake City Breaking/Spot News Coverage: KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA Continuing Coverage: KREM-TV, Spokane, WA Feature Reporting: KSL-TV, Salt Lake City Investigative Reporting: KOAT-TV, Albuquerque, NM News Documentary: KREM-TV, Spokane, WA News Series: KREM-TV, Spokane, WA Sports Reporting: KXLY-TV, Spokane, WA Use of Video: KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City
Region 1: Television Large Market
Overall Excellence: KUSA-TV, Denver Newscast: KCNC-TV, Denver Breaking/Spot News Coverage: KOIN-TV, Portland, OR Continuing Coverage: KATU-TV, Portland, OR Feature Reporting: KUSA-TV, Denver Investigative Reporting: KSTW-TV, Tacoma, WA News Documentary: KSTW-TV, Tacoma, WA News Series: KGW-TV, Portland, OR Use of Video: KCNC-TV, Denver
Region 2: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada
Region 2: Radio Small Market
No Winners
Region 2: Radio Large Market
Overall Excellence: KCBS-AM, San Francisco Newscast: KCBS-AM, San Francisco Breaking/Spot News Coverage: KNX-AM, Los Angeles Continuing Coverage: KNX-AM, Los Angeles Feature Reporting: KNX-AM, Los Angeles News Documentary: KNX-AM, Los Angeles News Series: KNX-AM, Los Angeles Sports Reporting: KNX-AM, Los Angeles Use of Sound: KCBS-AM, San Francisco
Region 2: Television Small Market
Newscast: KTNV-TV, Las Vegas Continuing Coverage: KVBC-TV, Las Vegas Feature Reporting: KLAS-TV, Las Vegas News Documentary: KLVX-TV, Las Vegas Sports Reporting: KGET-TV, Bakersfield, CA
Region 2: Television Large Market
Overall Excellence: KCAL-TV, Hollywood Newscast: KCOP-TV, Los Angeles Breaking/Spot News Coverage: KPNX-TV, Phoenix Continuing Coverage: KCBS-TV, Los Angeles Feature Reporting: KTLA-TV, Los Angeles Investigative Reporting: KNXV-TV, Phoenix News Series: KMEX-TV, Los Angeles News Documentary: KCAL-TV, Hollywood Sports Reporting: KPNX-TV, Phoenix
Region 3: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin
Region 3: Radio Small Market
Overall Excellence: WHO-AM, Des Moines, IA Newscast: WOC-AM, Davenport, IA Breaking/Spot News Coverage: KFGO-AM, Fargo, ND Continuing Coverage: WHO-AM, Des Moines, IA Feature Reporting: KIOA-AM, Des Moines, IA News Documentary: KUWS-FM, Superior, WI News Series: KFGO-AM, Fargo, ND
Region 3: Radio Large Market
Overall Excellence: WTMJ-AM, Milwaukee Breaking/Spot News Coverage: WTMJ-AM, Milwaukee Continuing Coverage: WTMJ-AM, Milwaukee Feature Reporting: WTMJ-AM, Milwaukee Investigative Reporting: KWMU-FM, St. Louis News Series: WCCO-AM, Minneapolis Use of Sound: WTMJ-AM, Milwaukee
Region 3: Television Small Market
Overall Excellence: WHO-TV, Des Moines, IA Breaking/Spot News Coverage: KAKE-TV, Wichita, KS Feature Reporting: KAKE-TV, Wichita, KS Investigative Reporting: WOWT-TV, Omaha, NE News Documentary: WDAY-TV, Fargo, ND News Series: KAKE-TV, Wichita, KS
Region 3: Television Large Market
Overall Excellence: KARE-TV, Minneapolis Newscast: KARE-TV, Minneapolis Breaking/Spot News Coverage: KARE-TV, Minneapolis Continuing Coverage: WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee Feature Reporting: KARE-TV, Minneapolis News Series: KARE-TV, Minneapolis Sports Reporting: WITI-TV, Milwaukee Use of Video: KARE-TV, Minneapolis
Region 4: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas
Region 4: Radio Small Market
Overall Excellence: KVOO-AM, Tulsa, OK Newscast: WOAI-AM, San Antonio Breaking/Spot News Coverage: KVOO-AM, Tulsa, OK Continuing Coverage: KVOO-AM, Tulsa, OK Feature Reporting: WOAI-AM, San Antonio News Documentary: WUAL-FM, Tuscaloosa, AL News Series: WUAL-FM, Tuscaloosa, AL Sports Reporting: WJDX-FM, Jackson, MS Use of Sound: KVOO-AM, Tulsa, OK
Region 4: Radio Large Market
Overall Excellence: KTRH-AM, Houston Newscast: KTRH-AM, Houston Breaking/Spot News Coverage: KTRH-AM, Houston Continuing Coverage: KETR-FM, Commerce, TX Continuing Coverage: KKDA-AM, Grand Prairie, TX Feature Reporting: WBAP-AM, Arlington, TX Use of Sound: KTRH-AM, Houston
Region 4: Television Small Market
Overall Excellence: KOTV, Tulsa, OK Newscast: KOTV, Tulsa, OK Breaking/Spot News Coverage: WBRC-TV, Birmingham, AL Continuing Coverage: WSFA-TV, Montgomery, AL Feature Reporting: WDSU-TV, New Orleans Investigative Reporting: WALA-TV, Mobile, AL Investigative Reporting: WBRC-TV, Birmingham, AL Investigative Reporting: WDSU-TV, New Orleans News Documentary: KFOR-TV, Oklahoma City News Series: KWTV-TV, Oklahoma City Sports Reporting: WBRC-TV, Birmingham, AL Use of Video: WWL-TV, New Orleans
Region 4: Television Large Market
Newscast: WFAA-TV, Dallas Breaking/Spot News Coverage: KTRK-TV, Houston Continuing Coverage: KRIV-TV, Houston Feature Reporting: WFAA-TV, Dallas Investigative Reporting: KXAS-TV, Fort Worth, TX News Series: WFAA-TV, Dallas Use of Video: KTVT-TV, Fort Worth, TX
Region 5: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia
Region 5: Radio Small Market
Newscast: WMBD-AM, Peoria, IL Breaking/Spot News Coverage: WSOY-AM, Decatur, IL Continuing Coverage: WJBC-AM, Bloomington, IL Feature Reporting: WSIU-FM, Carbondale, IL News Documentary: WSGW-AM, Saginaw, MI News Series: WSIU-FM, Carbondale, IL Use of Sound: WSGW-AM, Saginaw, MI
Region 5: Radio Large Market
Overall Excellence: WBBM-AM, Chicago Newscast: WIBC-AM, Indianapolis Breaking/Spot News Coverage: WBBM-AM, Chicago Continuing Coverage: WBBM-AM, Chicago Feature Reporting: WBBM-AM, Chicago Investigative Reporting: WJR-AM, Detroit News Documentary: WHBC-AM/FM, Canton, OH News Series: WLW-AM, Cincinnati Sports Reporting: WNDE-AM, Indianapolis Use of Sound: WBEZ-FM, Chicago
Region 5: Television Small Market
Overall Excellence: WHIO-TV, Dayton, OH Newscast: WNDU-TV, South Bend, IN Breaking/Spot News Coverage: WTOV-TV, Steubenville, OH Continuing Coverage: WHIO-TV, Dayton, OH Feature Reporting: WQAD-TV, Moline, IL Investigative Reporting: WWMT-TV, Kalamazoo, MI News Documentary: WTOL-TV, Toledo, OH News Series: WICS-TV, Springfield, IL Sports Reporting: WICD-TV, Champaign, IL Use of Video: WWMT-TV, Kalamazoo, MI
Region 5: Television Large Market
Overall Excellence: WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH Newscast: WKRC-TV, Cincinnati Breaking/Spot News Coverage: WEWS-TV, Cleveland Continuing Coverage: WXIN-TV, Indianapolis Feature Reporting: WTHR-TV, Indianapolis Investigative Reporting: WMAQ-TV, Chicago News Series: WXYZ-TV, Southfield, MI Sports Reporting: WTHR-TV, Indianapolis Use of Video: WOIO-TV, Cleveland
Region 6: Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
Region 6: Radio Small Market
Overall Excellence: WIVK-AM, Knoxville, TN Newscast: WIVK-AM, Knoxville, TN Breaking/Spot News Coverage: WIVK-AM, Knoxville, TN Continuing Coverage: WHAS-AM, Louisville, KY Feature Reporting: WHAS-AM, Louisville, KY Investigative Reporting: WIVK-AM, Knoxville, TN News Series: WHAS-AM, Louisville, KY Sports Reporting: WHAS-AM, Louisville, KY
Region 6: Radio Large Market
Overall Excellence: WSB-AM, Atlanta Newscast: WSTR-FM, Atlanta Breaking/Spot News Coverage: WGST-AM, Atlanta Continuing Coverage: WGST-AM, Atlanta News Documentary: WMNF-FM, Tampa, FL Sports Reporting: WSB-AM, Atlanta
Region 6: Television Small Market
Overall Excellence: WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL Newscast: WPBF-TV, Palm Beach Gardens, FL