The 2022 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association for Region 2 (California, Hawaii, Nevada, and Guam) were announced today, and KUAM News garnered the award for excellence in journalism for series “The Culture Club”. This multimedia series showcases individuals in our community dedicated to preserving and promoting our CHamoru culture through the arts, craftsmanship, activism, and advocacy. Thomas Manglona, Victorious Falan, Ken San Nicolas, and CJ Blas have contributed to the producing, videography, and editing of the series. The compilation of entries from the series for this award-winning submission featured profiles on Edward Leon Guerrero (Pulan Speaks), Roquin -Jon Quichocho Siongco, Brian Terlaje and Maria Sol Duenas Marques.

KUAM Communications CEO Marie Calvo-Monge says, “to receive an award in this category is especially important and meaningful as it a testament to the vision of this series - to shine a light on those passionate individuals dedicated to sustaining and promoting our indigenous culture. This recognition from a jury of news professionals from across the country shows that Pacific Islanders’ voices from their perspectives are being heard. Si Yu’os Ma’ase to all the individuals who let our team tell their stories.”

She adds, “This series is part of our growing shift into the realm of multimedia newsgathering and digital storytelling and represents a new wave of journalism. We are grateful to the RTDNA for recognizing the quality and labor of love our team put into this series.”

The RTDNA Edward R. Murrow Awards are among the most prestigious in broadcast and digital news.

The Radio Television Digital News Association has been honoring outstanding achievements in electronic journalism with the Edward R. Murrow Awards since 1971. Award recipients demonstrate the spirit of excellence that Murrow set as a standard for the profession of broadcast and digital journalism.

Regional Murrow Awards are presented to small and large radio, television and digital outlets based on 14 geographic regions. Regional winners are automatically considered for a National award. National awards will be announced in October 2022.

This is the 8th Regional Edward R. Murrow award KUAM News has garnered since 2004.  In 2009, KUAM News won a National Edward R. Murrow Award for best website.

The Culture Club is made possible in part through the generous support of Tropicool.

Entries included in submission: