On the MediaPeabody Awardsmedia criticismjournalism awardsEdward R. Murrow Award

On the Media: A Legacy of Award-Winning Media Criticism

On the Media: A Legacy of Award-Winning Media Criticism

In an era of rapid information flow, the role of the media critic is more vital than ever. On the Media has established itself as a cornerstone of journalistic accountability, consistently analyzing how news is produced and consumed. Through rigorous investigation and critical analysis, the program has earned widespread acclaim from the most prestigious institutions in journalism and broadcasting.

Key Facts

  • Recipient of multiple Peabody Awards, including a 2023 win for "The Divided Dial".
  • Winner of the Edward R. Murrow Award for investigative reporting in 2003.
  • Recognized by the American Bar Association with a Silver Gavel Award.
  • Two-time winner of the Mirror Awards for Best Single Story.
  • Honored by the National Press Club with the Arthur Rowse Award.

Major Journalistic Achievements

The Peabody Awards

The Peabody Awards recognize stories that matter and excellence in broadcasting. On the Media has been honored twice by this institution. In 2004, the program received an award for excellence, with judges noting that the show reminds audiences that the messenger is an integral part of the message and must be examined accordingly.

More recently, in 2023, the show won a Peabody for its series "The Divided Dial". This investigative work charted the growth and influence of the Salem Media Group, a broadcasting company, and analyzed its specific impact on far-right politics.

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Investigative and Specialized Reporting

Beyond general media criticism, the program has excelled in deep-dive investigative reporting. In 2003, On the Media won the Edward R. Murrow Award, a prestigious honor named after the legendary journalist, specifically for its work in investigative reporting.

The show's versatility is further highlighted by the 2017 Gracie Award won by producer Meara Sharma. This award recognized the production of the episode "Kidnapped", a special hour-long segment exploring how global audiences receive news from Syria.

Industry Recognition and Specialized Honors

On the Media's commitment to accuracy and critical analysis has been recognized across various professional sectors, from legal circles to press clubs.

Legal and Press Criticism Awards

In 2016, the American Bar Association presented the program with the Silver Gavel Award for the episode "Bench Press", recognizing excellence in the communication of legal issues to the public.

The program has also been a consistent leader in press criticism. It won the National Press Club's Arthur Rowse Award for Press Criticism in 2003 and received the Bart Richards Award for Media Criticism in both 2012 and 2013.

The Mirror Awards

The program's ability to craft compelling individual narratives was recognized by the Mirror Awards. On the Media won the award for Best Single Story—Radio, Television, Cable or Online Broadcast Media in two consecutive years, 2014 and 2015.

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Summary of Awards and Honors

On the Media Award History
Award Name Year(s) Category/Specific Work
Peabody Award 2004, 2023 Excellence; "The Divided Dial"
Edward R. Murrow Award 2003 Investigative Reporting
Gracie Award 2017 "Kidnapped" (Meara Sharma)
Mirror Awards 2014, 2015 Best Single Story
Silver Gavel Award 2016 "Bench Press"
Bart Richards Award 2012, 2013 Media Criticism
Arthur Rowse Award 2003 Press Criticism

Frequently Asked Questions

What was "The Divided Dial" series about?

"The Divided Dial" was a series that examined the growth and influence of the Salem Media Group and how the company impacted far-right politics, earning a Peabody Award in 2023.

Which award did On the Media win for investigative reporting?

The show won the Edward R. Murrow Award for investigative reporting in 2003.

Who won the Gracie Award and for what episode?

Producer Meara Sharma won the Gracie Award in 2017 for the episode "Kidnapped", which focused on the flow of news from Syria to the rest of the world.

Has On the Media been recognized by legal organizations?

Yes, the American Bar Association awarded the program the Silver Gavel Award in 2016 for the episode titled "Bench Press".

How many times has the show won the Mirror Awards?

On the Media won the Mirror Award for Best Single Story—Radio, Television, Cable or Online Broadcast Media twice, in 2014 and 2015.

References

  1. Institute, The Poynter (November 7, 2016). "Here's (some of) the best political journalism of 2016". Poynter. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  2. Mike Pesca, editor. Word Watch (Audio). On the Media. Archived from the original (MP3) on June 29, 2011. Retrieved March 4, 2007.
  3. Mullin, Benjamin (November 10, 2016). "On the Media's editorial meeting is a portrait of newsrooms after Election Day". Poynter. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  4. Newman, Judith (November 22, 2022). "On This Night, She Was the (Other) Story". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  5. "On the Media: The Divided Dial". WNYC Studios. May 28, 2025. Retrieved October 7, 2025.