September 16, 2009

CableFAX 2009 Program Awards: Best Show or Series/News

WINNER: BBC WORLD NEWS AMERICA, BBC AMERICA

In an age where in-studio blather can pass for reporting and TV news outlets have slashed their foreign bureaus, BBC World News America stands as a beacon of hope for global journalism. Its reporters don’t just fly in to cover a story in some corner of the world; they already live there. And they aren’t afraid to break rules — whether defying Burma’s military government to survey flood damage or taking on world figures in interviews, BBC World News America does journalism proud. Host Matt Frei brings just as much passion to an interview with former President George W. Bush as he does to covering dusty foreign conflicts.

Honorable Mentions:

Dan Rather Reports, HDNet: Now on his own without a corporate news operation, Rather is doing some of his best work.

E! News, E!: E! News couldn’t be more different from Dan Rather and the BBC. But that’s kind of the point. Ryan Seacrest and Giuliana Rancic co-host what can only be described as a guilty news pleasure, sifting through the juiciest celebrity tidbits.

Who’s Protecting Our Money? CNBC: CNBC’s decision to host a town hall with FDIC chairman Sheila Bair in Feb as the country reeled from the Wall St meltdown showed the savvy we’ve come to expect from the top business news net.

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