ATHENS, Ga. – Winners in broadcasting’s most prestigious award competition, the George Foster Peabody Awards, will be announced at Georgia Public Television headquarters in Atlanta on Wednesday, April 2.
Administered by the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication since their inception in 1938, the awards recognize distinguished achievement and meritorious service by radio and television networks, electronic media, stations, producing organizations, cable television organizations and individuals.
“The Peabody Awards are certainly a point of pride for the Grady College, the University and the state,” said John Soloski, dean of the Grady College. “By hosting the winners’ announcement in Atlanta, we hope to increase awareness of the awards so that our alumni, friends and all Georgians can share in this pride and at the same time be among the first to know who the winners are.”
The Peabody advisory board selects the winners. The distinguished board, comprised of media practitioners, critics, scholars, viewers and listeners, is judging this year’s 987 entries on the Peabody’s single criterion: excellence.
“One of the characteristics that sets the Peabodys apart from other awards is that they originate from the university and not the industry. This connotes an untainted level of prestige,” said Soloski. “Another is that the Peabodys recognize the best in all of television and not just journalism.”
In the past 62 years, 1,308 Peabodys have been awarded. Among last year’s recipients were Dan Rather, Ed Bradley, David Grubin, Katie Couric, Aaron Sorkin and Jon Stewart.
To attend the 62nd Annual Peabody Awards winners’ announcement, contact the Grady College at (706) 542-6840. Space is limited, and reservations are required by March 21. Studio doors will close at 5:45 p.m. and a reception will follow the announcement.
The awards will be presented to the winners by Barbara Walters on Monday, May 19 in New York. For more information, visit www.grady.uga.edu.
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