WEWS NewsChannel 5 earns prestigious SPJ awards

CLEVELAND - The results are now in from the 2011 Ohio Society of Professional Journalists, and NewsChannel 5 has earned two of their most prestigious awards. The statewide competition honors the best of Ohio’s print, broadcast, online, trade and college journalism.

First, Chief Investigative Reporter Ron Regan received the Best Investigative Reporting Award for his recent series, “Final Justice,” in which a Cleveland man was wrongly accused and convicted of murder. After spending more than 16 years behind bars, Regan’s “Final Justice” reports uncovered new evidence that led to a new trial, where prosecutors ultimately dropped charges. Shortly afterwards, the Cleveland man was freed from prison.

“It’s gratifying that our report was able to bring justice in this case,” said Regan. “It reaffirms our commitment to providing our viewers with quality journalism that impacts our community and changes lives.”

A second prestigious journalism award was presented to NewsChannel 5’s website, newsnet5.com. The site earned Best Website in Ohio honors. The site, which debuted in 1998, was the first television station website in Northeast Ohio.

Newsnet5.com Director of New Media Colleen Seitz said, “This award is the culmination of a great team effort. Our goal and mission are to be the first place that people go online to get important news and information in Northeast Ohio.”

Newsnet5.com’s staff includes Executive Producer Mike Waterhouse, Jen Steer, Garrett Downing and Tina Kaufmann.

These two awards are the latest in a long list of honors that NewsChannel 5 has received this year:

National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences - Emmy Awards:
• Best Morning/Daytime Newscast – “Good Morning Cleveland 6AM”
    o Kelly Tabay Hainer, Executive Producer
    o Colin McDermott, Producer
• Best Evening Newscast – “NewsChannel 5’s Live On Five”
    o Melissa Watson, Executive Producer
• Best Health/Science Single Story – “Ambulance Ride To Nowhere”
    o Chief Investigator Ron Regan
    o News Photographer Dave Hatala
• Best General Assignment Report – “License To Steal”
    o Chief Investigator Ron Regan
    o News Photographer Dave Arnold

• Best Spot News – “Mamma Said He Deserved To Die”
    o Maurielle Lue
• Best Teen Program/Special (13 And Up) – “Academic Challenge”
    o Berry Pinney, Director of Operations
    o Steve Kurrent, Producer/Director
    o Meteorologist Jason Nicholas, Host
• Crafts - Best On Camera Talent, Reporter
    o Chief Investigator Ron Regan
• Crafts - Best Video Journalist – “Against All Odds”
    o Health Reporter Alicia Booth
• Crafts - Best Director, Live or Live to Tape – “Academic Challenge”
    o Steve Kurrent
• Crafts - Best Director, Newscast – “NewsChannel 5 at 6”
    o Steve Kurrent
• NATAS Lower Great Lakes Chapter President’s Award
    o Steve Kurrent

Ohio Associated Press Awards:
• Best Website
    o New Media Director Colleen Seitz, Mike Waterhouse, and staff
• Best Investigative Reporting – “Final Justice”
    o Chief Investigator Ron Regan
• Best Producer – “Dimora Indicted”
    o Mel Watson