Alabama Public Radio today joined NPR, the Canadian Broadcasting Company, WGBH in Boston, and American Public Media as winners of the 2014 national Gabriel Award.
The Catholic Academy of Communication Professionals named APR a Gabriel recipient for the documentary “Civil Rights Radio,” about the 1963 anti-segregation protest that became known as the “children’s march.” Birmingham area radio disc jockeys put coded signals into their broadcasts, so African American school students knew when to leave class and demonstrate. The marchers were met with fire hoses and police dogs.
“Civil Rights Radio was just one part of a year-long effort in the newsroom to cover the 50th anniversary of key moments in Alabama’s civil rights movement which is all on apr.org,” says news director Pat Duggins who produced and hosted the program. “We’re flattered and grateful for the recognition.”
Previous winners of the Gabriel include NPR, Radio Netherlands, Univision, WNYC, WBEZ-Chicago, Minnesota Public Radio, Universal Pictures, HBO, and Lionsgate Films.
The Gabriels were first awarded in 1965 for excellence in radio and television broadcasting which focuses on human dignity and uplifts the human spirit.
