Nearly two weeks after the station made headlines for firing longtime anchor Wendy Bell, Pittsburgh ABC affiliate WTAE was recognized twice in one day for good work.
WTAE was awarded a National Headliner Award by the Press Club of Atlantic City this morning. Hours later, the station was announced as a Peabody finalist for its story Burning Questions: WTAE Investigates Fire Response Times.
“I am especially proud of this recognition because our investigation not only uncovered the problem of slow fire response times in Western Pennsylvania but it also explored possible solutions,” said Justin Antoniotti, WTAE news director. “Covering important issues in a meaningful way to help our community is at the core of what we do at Pittsburgh’s Action News 4.”
Click here to see all the installments of Chronicle, an ongoing series of hourlong investigative pieces hosted by Sally Wiggin.
From the Peabody website:
The Peabody 30 will be revealed in a succession of announcements by category, beginning April 19 with the news, radio/podcast, public service and Web winners via Facebook Live. Entertainment and children’s/youth winners will be announced on The Today Show on April 21, and documentary and educational winners via Facebook Live on April 26.
Bell was fired March 30 after posting controversial comments on her Facebook page. Parent company Hearst said Bell’s comments were “inconsistent with the company’s ethics and journalistic standards.”