ABC Action News named “Best Overall” News Organization SIX YEARS IN A ROW
ABC Action News - WFTS received 9 AP Awards…More than any other TV Station in the Bay Area
The highest Florida Associated Press Award of “Best Overall News Organization” was awarded to ABC Action News – WFTS, as journalists from across the state gathered to recognize the best, quality news coverage in the state. This marks six years in a row for the Bay area’s preferred news team. The top honor is only given after journalists compare entries of each TV station’s news coverage over the recent year
ABC Action News was also given top awards in the most sought-after news categories: Breaking News, In-Depth Coverage, Investigations that get results and Weather forecasts that keep you prepared and safe. They represent the type of stories and coverage news audiences clearly say is most important. It is exactly the type of news coverage highlighted in the ABC Action News commitment of “Taking Action for You.
When a sinkhole threatened to swallow multiple homes, the well-rounded coverage from ABC Action News gained national attention and the AP award for “Best Breaking News.” The ABC Action News I-Team received highly respected “Best Investigative Reporting” awards. We exposed problems with Florida’s Guardianship Program possibly taking advantage of those in the system. We also shed light on a DUI scandal involving government employees. “Best Hard News” and “Best Series” Awards were given to ABC Action News for in-depth reports that shed light on the child sex trafficking problem in the Bay area and our efforts to help you be better equipped to handle tough decisions facing aging family members in our special “Taking Action for Your Parents” reports
Keeping people informed and safe is a top priority for the weather team certified most accurate in the state of Florida. This was acknowledged as Tropical Storm Andrea coverage earned the meteorologists of ABC Action Weather “Best Weathercast” and the whole news team “Best Weather Reporting.
“To be recognized as the best among the outstanding news organizations across Florida six years in a row, is a great honor,” WFTS General Manager Rich Pegram said. “I am proud of all the dedicated staff at ABC Action News whose hard work and commitment make this possible.
“Each of these awards represents a team effort,” said News Director Bill McFarland. “I’m proud of the quality news we provide every day and honored to receive such high recognition from other journalists.
Here is the list of awards presented to ABC Action News - WFTS awards during the 2014 Florida Associated Press Broadcasters ceremony
First Place Awards for Large Markets:
- Best Overall - ABC Action News Staff
- Best Breaking News – Dunedin Sinkhole
- Best Newscast – ABC Action News at 5pm
- Best Weathercast- ABC Action Weather Team
- Best Weather Reporting - Tropical Storm Andrea
- Best Investigative Reporting – Florida Guardianship Troubles
- Best Series Reporting – Taking Action for Your Parents
- Best Hard News Feature – Child Sex Trafficking
Finalist Award for Large Markets:
- Best Investigative Reporting – City Manager Investigation
For a complete list of winners click here. The annual Florida Associated Press Awards Banquet was held Saturday night, March 22, 2014 in Orlando, FL.
About WFTS/ABC Action News
WFTS-TV is the primary ABC network affiliate for the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Sarasota television market, programming a strong schedule of news, sports and entertainment. WFTS-ABC Action News was the first broadcast station newscast in the Tampa Bay area to broadcast in high definition. ABC Action News has been named the Associated Press’ Best Overall News Operation for past six years. ABC Action News leads the way providing local news and weather coverage on-air, on the web and on mobile phones. WFTS-TV is a Scripps Media station. For additional information, visit the WFTS-TV website at www.abcactionnews.com.
About Scripps
The E.W. Scripps Company (www.scripps.com) serves audiences and businesses through a growing portfolio of television, print and digital media brands. After approval of its acquisition of two Granite Broadcasting stations later this year, Scripps will own 21 local television stations as well as daily newspapers in 13 markets across the United States. It also runs an expanding collection of local and national digital journalism and information businesses including digital video news service Newsy. Scripps also produces television programming, runs an award-winning investigative reporting newsroom in Washington, D.C., and serves as the longtime steward of one of the nation’s largest, most successful and longest-running educational programs, Scripps National Spelling Bee. Founded in 1879, Scripps is focused on the stories of tomorrow.
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