WBFF’s Project Baltimore Wins National News Emmy® Award

Rhea-AI Summary

WBFF's Project Baltimore has won a National News Emmy® Award for their investigative series 'Disabled & Denied'. The series exposed how Baltimore City Schools violated federal education rights by denying proper education to students with disabilities. This led to multiple state-level investigations and mandated improvements in the district's special education programs.

The award, presented by The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS), recognizes outstanding regional investigative reporting. The winning team includes Carolyn Peirce, Chris Papst, Ray Rogowski, Jed Gamber, and Anthony Durso.

Since its inception in 2017, Project Baltimore has received numerous accolades, including 4 National Investigative Reporters and Editors awards, 41 regional Emmy Awards, and 9 Edward R. Murrow Awards. This latest recognition underscores the team's commitment to impactful journalism and exposing issues in the education system.

BALTIMORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sinclair is pleased to announce Project Baltimore, the special investigative reporting unit of WBFF, Sinclair’s Baltimore MD FOX affiliate, has been awarded a News Emmy® Award from The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS). This national Emmy Award honors the best in news coverage across the country.

Outstanding Regional News Story: Investigative – Disabled & Denied
Carolyn Peirce, Executive Producer; Chris Papst, Investigative Reporter; Ray Rogowski, Investigative Producer; Jed Gamber, Photographer; Anthony Durso, Photographer

Project Baltimore’s winning series of reports exposed how Baltimore City Schools denied students with disabilities a proper education, and in doing so, violated their federal education rights. “Disabled & Denied” resulted in multiple state-level investigations, which found City Schools violated the education rights of four students. The state also mandated the district develop plans to better educate all students with disabilities or risk losing funding.

Since its inception in 2017, Project Baltimore’s reporting has been honored with dozens of national and regional awards including 4 National Investigative Reporters and Editors awards, a National Press Photographers Association award, 5 National Headliner awards, 2 Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi awards, 1 National Emmy award, 41 regional Emmy Awards, 9 Edward R. Murrow Awards, and 11 AP awards. Project Baltimore’s work has also been a finalist for the Alfred I. duPont and the Education Writers Association awards.

“This Emmy Award is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion of WBFF’s Project Baltimore team and we are incredibly honored to receive this prestigious recognition from the Academy. I'm proud of the entire team for their tireless efforts, and we're grateful to our audience for trusting us to bring them the news that matters,” said Scott Livingston, Senior Vice President of News.

“This series of reports highlights the injustice of students with disabilities not receiving the education they need and deserve,” stated Project Baltimore’s lead investigative reporter Chris Papst. “Public schools receive extra tax dollars to educate students with disabilities. Oftentimes the services are not rendered, but the schools keep the money. I want to thank the Baltimore City families and students who came forward to expose this serious issue. And thank you to the Academy for recognizing the significance of their stories.”

About Sinclair:

Sinclair, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBGI) is a diversified media company and a leading provider of local news and sports. The Company owns, operates and/or provides services to 185 television stations in 86 markets affiliated with all the major broadcast networks; and owns Tennis Channel and multicast networks Comet, CHARGE!, TBD., and The Nest. Sinclair’s content is delivered via multiple platforms, including over-the-air, multi-channel video program distributors, and the nation’s largest streaming aggregator of local news content, NewsON. The Company regularly uses its website as a key source of Company information which can be accessed at www.sbgi.net.

Category: General

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240927261198/en/

Jessica Bellucci jbellucci-c@sbgtv.com

Source: Sinclair, Inc.

FAQ

What award did WBFF's Project Baltimore win in 2023?

WBFF's Project Baltimore won a National News Emmy® Award from The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) for their investigative series 'Disabled & Denied'.

What was the focus of Project Baltimore's Emmy-winning investigation?

The Emmy-winning investigation, 'Disabled & Denied', exposed how Baltimore City Schools denied students with disabilities a proper education, violating their federal education rights.

What impact did Project Baltimore's 'Disabled & Denied' series have?

The series resulted in multiple state-level investigations, which found City Schools violated the education rights of four students. The state mandated the district develop plans to better educate all students with disabilities or risk losing funding.

How many Emmy Awards has Project Baltimore won since its inception in 2017?

Since 2017, Project Baltimore has won 1 National Emmy Award and 41 regional Emmy Awards, among numerous other accolades.

Who are the team members behind WBFF's Emmy-winning Project Baltimore investigation?

The winning team includes Carolyn Peirce (Executive Producer), Chris Papst (Investigative Reporter), Ray Rogowski (Investigative Producer), Jed Gamber (Photographer), and Anthony Durso (Photographer).