Scripps' KNXV in Phoenix wins National Emmy Award for 'Abuse of Force' investigation

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Sep 22, 2020, 11:00 ET

CINCINNATI, Sept. 22, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- KNXV in Phoenix, an ABC affiliate owned by The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP), was honored with a National Emmy Award during The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences virtual ceremony last night.

The 41st Annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards honor content from more than 2,000 submissions that premiered in 2019, judged by a pool of 875 peers from across the television and digital media industry.

KNXV won in the "Outstanding Regional News Story: Investigative Report" category for its "Abuse of Force" investigative series, which has prompted an FBI investigation into a local police department's use of force.

Reported by KNXV's longstanding investigative team, ABC15 Investigators, "Abuse of Force" thoroughly examined misconduct inside a local Arizona police department and exposed a corrupted culture that protected officers and misled the public. The series immediately prompted the FBI to launch a criminal investigation, which is ongoing. Arizona's police certification board also opened disciplinary proceedings. Under the increased scrutiny, multiple police officers retired.

"KNXV's honor for "Abuse of Force" is a testament to the newsroom's unrelenting commitment to the citizens of Arizona and the critical role of journalists in bringing important truths to light," said Brian Lawlor, Scripps' president of Local Media. "We are incredibly proud of the ABC15 Investigators and the KNXV newsroom for their dogged pursuit of this story and the important change it prompted for the community they serve."

KNXV has now won a National Emmy Award in the "Outstanding Regional News Story: Investigative Report" category in three of the past five years: in 2018 for its "Cash for Compliance" series and in 2016 for its "Arizona's Dental Dangers" investigation.

Its "Abuse of Force" investigation also received a prestigious U.S. Hillman Prize in broadcast journalism and first place in this year's National Headliner Awards competition.

About Scripps
The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) advances understanding of the world through journalism. As the nation's fourth-largest independent TV station owner, Scripps operates 60 television stations in 42 markets. Scripps empowers the next generation of news consumers with its multiplatform news network Newsy and reaches growing audiences through broadcast networks including Bounce and Court TV. Shaping the future of storytelling through digital audio, Scripps owns top podcast company Stitcher and Triton, the global leader in technology and measurement services. Scripps runs an award-winning investigative reporting newsroom in Washington, D.C., and is the longtime steward of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Founded in 1878, Scripps has held for decades to the motto, "Give light and the people will find their own way."

SOURCE The E.W. Scripps Company