WEBN honors best reporting and filmmaking

They’ve covered the Primetime Emmys and the Daytime Emmys, and now Emerson College Journalism students are making waves at the 31st Annual News and Documentary Emmy Awards in New York City. WEBN’s Kayla Harrity ’11, Brandon Penny ’12, and Josh Miller ’11 were on the red carpet, interviewing legendary journalists Dan Rather, Jim Lehrer, and Brian Williams, among others.

The ceremony, which took place September 27, honors the best in news reporting and documentary filmmaking each year. Both television broadcasts and content streamed over the Internet are eligible for the competition. Television networks ranging from CBS to VH1 participated, submitting content for categories such as Outstanding Investigative Journalism, Outstanding Live Coverage of a News Story, and Best Documentary. Nominees gathered in the Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at the Lincoln Center.

“Only at a school like Emerson would you have the opportunity to not only meet these legendary journalists but to turn the tables and actually interview them.”

–Brandon Penny ’12

Brandon Penny was grateful for the experience. “Only at a school like Emerson would you have the opportunity to not only meet these legendary journalists but to turn the tables and actually interview them,” he said.

NBC anchor Brian Williams echoed that sentiment when a student reporter asked him for advice for future journalists. “You’re already doing it. You’re already 10 steps further than I was [at your age]. You’re working in the trade and with the craft already. You go to a great school.”

Penny was glad to hear it. “When Brian Williams tells you that you’re 10 steps further than he was in college and that you don’t need any advice from him, you know you’re doing something right.”

Two Emersonians also won Emmys at the event. Randy Barbato ’82, producer of The Last Beekeeper (Planet Green) won in the category of Outstanding Nature Programming. Margaret Aro ’95, producer of ABC News Special Events: Inauguration 2009—Barack Obama, won in the category of Outstanding Live Coverage of a Current News Story—Long Form.

The following weekend WEBN went to Washington, D.C. to cover the One Nation rally. The crew is producing a television / web special  about the event. They also provided real-time web coverage.

Pictured from left: Brandon Penny ’12, NBC News Anchor Brian Williams, Kayla Harrity’11