Thursday, April 3, 2008

Reports about disabled Iraq vets, depression win Peabody awards

Three disability-related reports won prestigious Peabody awards April 2. The 67th year of the awards, they are given by the University of Georgia`s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication to honor excellence in electronic media. The awards have no categories or set number; 35 total awards were given this year to distinguished achievement and meritorious public service by stations, networks, producing organizations and individuals.

Those honored who reported on disability topics were:
  • "Bob Woodruff Reporting: Wounds of War – The Long Road Home of Our Nation`s Veterans," ABC News -- Severely injured by a roadside bomb in Iraq, Woodruff made wounded veterans and their struggle with recovery and red tape his special focus and served them well with his sensitive, dogged reporting.
  • "CBS News Sunday Morning: The Way Home," CBS News" -- Two unflinchingly candid women who lost limbs while serving in the military in Iraq were the centerpiece of this powerful, thought-provoking report by correspondent Kimberly Dozier, a recovering war casualty herself.
  • "mtvU: Half of Us," mtvU -- Responding to studies that have shown that nearly half of all college students have experienced bouts of disabling depression, mtvU created an impressive, multi-platform campaign that includes public-service spots and a comprehensive web site where students can get information, advice, even upbeat music.