Carolina Connection named best student radio newscast by SPJ for fourth time in five years

Carolina Connection, the weekly radio magazine produced by UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media students, was named the best all-around radio newscast for the fourth time in five years and two students won individual radio awards in the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) national Mark of Excellence Awards given for work published in 2013.

Mark Haywood, a 2013 graduate, was selected as the national winner in the radio news reporting category for his story "North Carolina a leading state for human trafficking." Daniel Lane, a 2014 master's graduate, won in the radio feature category for "Bird-cams aim to explain 'peacocking.'"

Carolina Connection was recognized as the best all-around radio newscast in 2009, 2010 and 2012.

"This award is evidence of the talent, professionalism, and dedication of our students, who spend hours each week producing high-quality audio journalism," said Adam Hochberg, adjunct professor, NPR correspondent and the show’s faculty adviser. "They set high standards for themselves and continually exceed those standards."

Carolina Connection airs Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. on WCHL 97.9 FM and 1360 AM. Several Carolina Connection reporters’ stories also appear on WUNC-FM, WPTF-AM and other stations throughout North Carolina, aired alongside stories by professional journalists.

First-place national winners will be recognized at the Excellence in Journalism 2014 conference Sept. 4-6 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. For more information about SPJ, visit spj.org.