TEGNA Station WTSP Wins 2019 Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award for Investigative News Partnership
McLEAN, VA – TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) today announced its station, WTSP in Tampa, has won a 2019 Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award, which recognizes excellence in broadcast, digital and documentary journalism. WTSP’s report on “Zombie Campaigns,” an investigative collaboration with The Tampa Bay Times, exposed loopholes in federal campaign laws that allow politicians to continue using campaign funds long after they leave office and even after they have died.
WTSP and The Tampa Bay Times analyzed more than 1 million records detailing the spending of former U.S. lawmakers and federal candidates in “Zombie Campaigns.” They found more than 100 of these zombie campaigns still spending, even though their candidates’ political career had ended. WTSP tapped TEGNA stations KHOU in Houston and WCNC in Charlotte, NC for assistance in tracking down and attempting to interview former local politicians still using campaign funds.
Since the report first aired and was published in The Tampa Bay Times, dozens of campaigns have reformed their questionable spending. In addition, The Federal Elections Commission (FEC) has changed the review process of campaign spending once a politician has left office and is in the process of considering a number of rule changes to the use of campaign funds by a politician once he/she has left office.
“Local investigative reporters play a vital role in communities. They hold the powerful accountable and act in the community’s interest to enact change,” said Lynn Beall, COO of Media Operations, TEGNA. “Congratulations to WTSP and their partners at the Tampa Bay Times on this well-deserved honor.”
This year “Zombie Campaigns” from WTSP was a finalist for the Data Journalism Awards and won a regional Emmy Award for Investigative Series.
For more information on the 2019 Alfred E. duPont-Columbia University Awards, click here.
About TEGNA
TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) is an innovative media company that serves the greater good of our communities. With 47 television stations and two radio stations in 39 markets, TEGNA delivers relevant content and information to consumers across platforms. It is the largest owner of top 4 affiliates in the top 25 markets, reaching approximately one-third of all television households nationwide. Each month, TEGNA reaches 50 million adults on-air and approximately 30 million across its digital platforms. TEGNA has been consistently honored with the industry’s top awards, including Edward R. Murrow, George Polk, Alfred I. DuPont and Emmy Awards. TEGNA also delivers innovative and unparalleled solutions for advertisers through TEGNA Marketing Solutions (TMS). TMS is a one-stop shop that helps businesses thrive through an unmatched suite of services and solutions that reach consumers across television, email, social and over-the-top (OTT) platforms, including Premion, TEGNA’s OTT advertising service. Across platforms, TEGNA tells empowering stories, conducts impactful investigations and delivers innovative marketing solutions. For more information, visit www.TEGNA.com.
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