GMA Network earns Peabody Award for 'Reel Time' documentary

GMA Network public affairs series "Reel Time" is among the 39 recipients of the 72nd Annual Peabody Awards, the University of Georgia’s Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication announced Wednesday.

 

Reel Time earned the Peabody honor for its documentary on malnourished children entitled “Salat” (Bone Dry), which the awards board said is an “unflinching portrait of a widow with six mouths to feed personifies a brutal statistic: two out of 10 Filipino children are malnourished.”

 

In its news release announcing the winners, the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication said the winners were “the best in electronic media” in 2012.

 

“The Peabody Awards, the oldest awards in broadcasting, are considered among the most prestigious and selective prizes in electronic media. The Peabodys recognize excellence and meritorious work by radio and television stations, networks, webcasters, producing organizations and individuals,” the Grady College also said.  The Peabody Board also announced the winners via its official Twitter account.

WINNER: Reel Time: Salat (Bone Dry) (GMA Network) @gmanetwork @reeltimedocu #peabody72 youtube.com/watch?v=bcpT1F… — Peabody Awards (@Peabody_Awards) March 27, 2013            

Presentation of the awards will be during a luncheon on May 20 at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City.

 

“Our list of Peabody recipients for 2012 demonstrates the range of superb work,” Horace Newcomb, director of the Peabody Awards, said.

 

 “From local to national to international, from radio to television, broadcast to cable to web, the Peabody sets the goals for every type of media production.  We’ll continue to do this, no matter how the world of electronic media develops,” he added.

 

A distinguished panel of television critics, industry practitioners and experts in culture and the arts comprises the Peabody Board. The board selection comes after special screening committees of UGA faculty, students, and staff. 

 

“Reviewing submissions for Peabody consideration is a truly exciting process,” said Newcomb.

 

“Producers and organizations send us their best work from the previous year.  It is an astonishing array of outstanding media accomplishment.  From this array, we must select the ‘best of the best.’  It’s not always easy, but it always demonstrates the meaning of true excellence in electronic media,” the awards director also said.  — DVM/ELR, GMA News