When Awards Tell a Bigger Story: Reflecting on NHPR’s Recent Wins
Let’s start with a bold statement: awards in journalism aren’t just about patting ourselves on the back. They’re a mirror—reflecting not just the work of a newsroom, but the pulse of the communities they serve. And when New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR) snagged eight awards recently, including six Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards and two PMJA honors, it wasn’t just a win for the station. It was a reminder of what local journalism can—and should—be.
What makes this particularly fascinating is the sheer diversity of the stories that won. From pickleball courts to fishing guides, from investigative exposés to podcasts about Sgt. Tibbs, NHPR’s work spans the quirky, the profound, and the deeply human. Personally, I think this range is a testament to the newsroom’s ability to balance the hyper-local with the universally relatable. It’s easy to chase national trends, but NHPR’s focus on Granite State stories—like the angler who sued to overturn a ban on felons becoming fishing guides—shows a commitment to uncovering the overlooked.
One thing that immediately stands out is the Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion award for Outside/In: Order on the Pickleball Court!!!. On the surface, it’s a story about a sport. But dig deeper, and it’s about community, access, and the unexpected ways people find common ground. What many people don’t realize is that stories like these aren’t just about the topic—they’re about the questions they raise. Who gets to belong? How do we create spaces that are truly inclusive? If you take a step back and think about it, this isn’t just a story about pickleball; it’s a microcosm of larger societal conversations.
The investigative pieces, like Operation Night Cat and the story on New Hampshire’s judicial branch, are where NHPR’s muscle really shows. Investigative journalism is hard. It’s time-consuming, often thankless, and sometimes dangerous. But it’s also the backbone of accountability. What this really suggests is that even in a small market, journalists can—and should—dig deep. These stories aren’t just about exposing wrongdoing; they’re about empowering communities with knowledge.
A detail that I find especially interesting is the recurring presence of Senior Reporter Todd Bookman, whose work garnered four of the eight awards. In my opinion, this isn’t just about individual talent—though Bookman clearly has that in spades. It’s about the culture of a newsroom that fosters such excellence. As Bookman himself noted, these awards are a testament to the entire team. And that’s the thing about great journalism: it’s never just one person. It’s editors, producers, web teams, and yes, even the folks who keep the coffee flowing.
This raises a deeper question: What does it mean for public media in 2026? In an era where local newsrooms are shrinking and trust in media is at an all-time low, NHPR’s wins feel like a beacon. They remind us that journalism isn’t just about breaking news—it’s about building connections. From my perspective, the breadth of these stories—from tornado recovery to poaching—speaks to the unique role public media plays in our lives. It’s not just about informing; it’s about engaging, challenging, and inspiring.
If there’s one takeaway I’d leave you with, it’s this: awards are nice, but they’re not the point. The real win is in the stories themselves—the ones that make us think, feel, and act. NHPR’s recent honors aren’t just a celebration of their work; they’re a reminder of why journalism matters. And in a world that often feels fragmented, that’s something worth holding onto.
