“CNN’s Reporting of the Arab Spring;” “Uprising in Libya;” “Egypt—Wave of Discontent”

As citizens throughout the Middle East rose up against dictatorial governments in the spring of 2011, CNN provided coverage both wide and deep. A network of correspondents traveled across the region, from Tunisia to Egypt, Bahrain to Yemen and Libya. They were present for almost every major event, providing visual information made more meaningful with informed commentary and analysis—Nic Robertson’s discovery of the Lockerbie bomber near death in a luxury compound, Sara Sidner accompanying rebels into the Gaddafi compound, Ivan Watson’s interview with Wael Ghonim, the Facebook executive who posted a call for citizens to gather in Tahrir Square, following Ghonim’s release from prison. These are merely a few of the dozens of correspondents and reporters who moved into the hottest hotspots as events unfolded. At the center of many of these events, Ben Wedeman—CNN’s Cairo Bureau Chief, a long-time resident of the city, fluent in Arabic—exemplified the professionalism of the entire CNN organization. For providing viewers throughout the world with coverage of these momentous events, and for explaining their significance with precise analysis, a Peabody Award goes to CNN’s Reporting of the Arab Spring; Uprising in Lybia and Egypt – Wave of Discontent.