National Public Radio Coverage of September 11, 2001

From its initial reports on the breaking, unprecedented news events of September 11, 2001, through in-depth coverage during the following three months, National Public Radio fully realized its mission “to create a more informed public, one challenged and invigorated by a deeper understanding and appreciation of events, ideas, and cultures.” Combining comprehensive news reporting, insightful analysis and essays, intelligent conversations, appropriate poetry and consoling music, NPR offered discerning perspective on the complex issues raised by the al- Qaeda attacks on the United States and their aftermath. With remarkable power and reach, NPR’s News and Information Division’s coverage went to thousands of listeners at home and abroad via the domestic airwaves, NPR Worldwide, and NPR Online. Over the months following the attacks, NPR’s Cultural Programming Division presented live memorial concerts from across the nation, providing listeners a calm, comforting place of solace. Of special note for their exemplary professionalism are Morning Edition host Bob Edwards, All Things Considered hosts Robert Siegel and Linda Wertheimer, and NPR correspondents Melissa Block, David Kestenbaum, John Ydstie, John Burnett, Barbara Bradley, Rob Gifford, Mike Shuster, Lawrence Sheets, Ann Garrels, Ivan Watson, Joanne Silberner, Susan Stamberg, Alex Chadwick, and Scott Simon. For programming 182 broadcast hours related to September 11, 2001, enabling audiences to be informed and to mourn and reflect upon those unsettled days, a Peabody Award goes to National Public Radio Coverage of September 11, 2001.