Daniel Schorr, veteran television and radio correspondent, received the Gold Baton, the highest honor of the 54th annual Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards, at ceremonies in Low Rotunda Jan. 25.
Schorr, senior news analyst for National Public Radio, won for his "exceptional contributions to radio and television reporting and commentary."
Twelve Silver Batons for excellence in television and radio journalism in 1994-1995 were also awarded.
"Daniel Schorr's achievements and boundless energy in both radio and television add up to nearly half a century of clear and probing reporting," said President Rupp in presenting the Gold Baton.
"Whether the Berlin Wall or Watergate, the CIA or health care, he has reported on the biggest issues and political scandals of our times. Never shy of controversy, he has stood tall for First Amendment rights - protecting sources, editorial independence, and the public's right to know," he said.
The program was televised nationwide by Thirteen/WNET, New York, over stations of the Public Broadcasting Service.
Ted Koppel, anchor and managing editor of ABC News' "Nightline," was the host. The silver batons were presented by Roberta Baskin, correspondent for CBS News' "48 Hours"; Ralph Begleiter, J '72, CNN world affairs correspondent and host of its weekly program "Global View"; Charlie Rose, anchor and executive editor of PBS' "Charlie Rose"; Tim Russert, NBC News senior vice president, Washington bureau chief and moderator of "Meet the Press," and Schorr.
Award winners were selected from 542 submissions that first aired between July 1, 1994, and June 30, 1995.
The 13 winners, with judging categories and jurors' comments, follow:
GOLD BATON
To Daniel Schorr for his exceptional contributions to radio and television reporting and commentary.
SILVER BATONS
Network Television:
To ABC News for "Turning Point - Of Human Bondage: Slavery Today";
To "The American Experience" for "The Battle of the Bulge," " FDR" and "The Way West" on PBS;
To "Frontline," The Center for Investigative Reporting and Telesis Productions for "School Colors" on PBS, and
To ABC News' "World News Tonight" --"American Agenda: Medicine Man; Vanishing Breed; Political Waters."
Major Market Television:
To WXYZ-TV, Detroit, Michigan, for "Target 7: Michigan's Secret Soldiers."
Medium Market Television:
To WTVJ, Miami, Florida, and Kerry Sanders for coverage of Haiti, and
Cable Television: To Brian Lapping Associates, London, for "Watergate" on The Discovery Channel.
Radio:
To WMAL-AM, Washington, D.C., for "American History--The Disney Version," and to National Public Radio for Political Coverage
Independent Television Productions:
To Billy Golfus and David E. Simpson for "When Billy Broke His Head ... and Other Tales of Wonder";
To Blackside Inc. for "America's War on Poverty";
To Deborah Hoffmann and P.O.V. for "Complaints of a Dutiful Daughter."
The awards honoring excellence in broadcast journalism were established in 1942 by the late Jessie Ball duPont in memory of her husband, Alfred I. duPont.
This is the 26th year they have been administered by the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
Columbia University Record -- February 2, 1996 -- Vol. 21, No. 15