MPB recognized for Katrina related community service

( Jackson , Miss. ) - Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) received the "2005 Recovery Award" at the national Public Radio Development and Marketing Conference, held in New Orleans , from National Public Radio (NPR) and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) for MPB's services provided to the citizens of Mississippi during and following Hurricane Katrina.

Chuck Miller, general manager of WWNO, New Orleans ' public radio station, opened the ceremony by saying, "We listened to you (MPB) going to Atlanta , and you set a national example for disaster coverage - calm, clear, concise. We knew where to go."

"How does one comment after receiving praise for, what we regard as, doing our jobs?" reacted MPB Executive Director Marie Antoon. "This award, however, exemplifies the professionalism and dedication each employee demonstrated during and after Katrina in providing the needed information and helpfulness to our fellow Mississippians. I am very proud of them."

According to Antoon, MPB's regular radio programming had been suspended prior to Katrina making landfall and three weeks following to bring listeners continuous 24-hour coverage and information. In some areas, MPB was the only radio source and served as a vital link to concerned families and friends across the sate.

MPB partnered with CPB to bring Sesame Street's Maria and Allen, the Between the Lions' cast, and other public television friends to various coastal elementary schools upon their reopening and teamed up with Mississippi State University and Chevron to provide educational supplies and television/DVD players to affected day cares.

MPB aired the Back Up The Badge Telethon to raise money for firefighters and law enforcement officers in the state who suffered significant losses due to Hurricane Katrina.

Later with partner, the Sun Herald, MPB brought StoryCorps to the Coast as a means for residents to share their stories with the nation.

Since January, MPB's Beyond Katrina, a monthly television series underwritten by Chevron, keeps citizens across the state informed of the Coast's rebuilding progress. MPB also continues its weekly radio show, Beyond Katrina, and its Beyond Katrina Blog and photo gallery on www.mpbonline.org .

C-U-T-L-I-N-E:

Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) received the "2005 Recovery Award" at the national Public Radio Development and Marketing Conference, held in New Orleans , from National Public Radio (NPR) and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) for MPB's services provided to the citizens of Mississippi during and following Hurricane Katrina. Pictured is MPB Executive Director Marie Antoon.

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Kathy Broom
September 15, 2006	601.432.6683
Mississippi Public Broadcasting nationally recognized for Katrina-related community service
( Jackson , Miss. ) - Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) received the "2005 Recovery Award" at the national Public Radio Development and Marketing Conference, held in New Orleans , from National Public Radio (NPR) and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) for MPB's services provided to the citizens of Mississippi during and following Hurricane Katrina. Chuck Miller, general manager of WWNO, New Orleans ' public radio station, opened the ceremony by saying, "We listened to you (MPB) going to Atlanta , and you set a national example for disaster coverage - calm, clear, concise. We knew where to go." "How does one comment after receiving praise for, what we regard as, doing our jobs?" reacted MPB Executive Director Marie Antoon. "This award, however, exemplifies the professionalism and dedication each employee demonstrated during and after Katrina in providing the needed information and helpfulness to our fellow Mississippians. I am very proud of them." According to Antoon, MPB's regular radio programming had been suspended prior to Katrina making landfall and three weeks following to bring listeners continuous 24-hour coverage and information. In some areas, MPB was the only radio source and served as a vital link to concerned families and friends across the sate. MPB partnered with CPB to bring Sesame Street's Maria and Allen, the Between the Lions' cast, and other public television friends to various coastal elementary schools upon their reopening and teamed up with Mississippi State University and Chevron to provide educational supplies and television/DVD players to affected day cares. MPB aired the Back Up The Badge Telethon to raise money for firefighters and law enforcement officers in the state who suffered significant losses due to Hurricane Katrina. Later with partner, the Sun Herald, MPB brought StoryCorps to the Coast as a means for residents to share their stories with the nation. Since January, MPB's Beyond Katrina, a monthly television series underwritten by Chevron, keeps citizens across the state informed of the Coast's rebuilding progress. MPB also continues its weekly radio show, Beyond Katrina, and its Beyond Katrina Blog and photo gallery on www.mpbonline.org . C-U-T-L-I-N-E: Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) received the "2005 Recovery Award" at the national Public Radio Development and Marketing Conference, held in New Orleans , from National Public Radio (NPR) and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) for MPB's services provided to the citizens of Mississippi during and following Hurricane Katrina. Pictured is MPB Executive Director Marie Antoon.