UC Berkeley Press Release

Journalism professor nominated for three Writers Guild awards

By Kathleen Maclay, Media Relations | 13 December 2007

BERKELEY – Lowell Bergman, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism, a producer/correspondent for the Public Broadcasting System's documentary series "Frontline," and a New York Times investigative reporter, has been nominated for three Writers Guild of America Awards.

Lowell Bergman (courtesy of Marlena Telvick)

The nominations for radio, television, news and promotional materials during the 2007 season were announced today (Thursday, Dec. 13).

One of the nominations for Bergman, the Reva and David Logan Distinguished Professor of Investigative Journalism on campus, is for "The Enemy Within." That documentary detailed the federal government's multi-billion-dollar domestic counterterrorism efforts five years after 9/11 and examined whether the country is better prepared to prevent another catastrophic attack.

His other two nominations are for parts one and three of "News War," a four-part "Frontline" documentary series co-produced by the Graduate School of Journalism. It examined the political, cultural, legal and economic forces challenging the news media today.

Bergman said he has been told that the news media programs are being used in journalism schools and universities around the country as an introduction to the critical issues the news industry and the public face.

"Investigative reporting is what is in the greatest danger, given the changes in the economics of both broadcast news and newspapers," said Bergman. "Preserving and nurturing it has become my primary focus, and the opportunity the university has given me, my students and colleagues to do that cannot be underestimated when it comes to promoting this work."

Bergman shares the nomination for hour three with Steve Talbot, series editor for "Frontline/WORLD" and a lecturer in the journalism school’s documentary program.

Ten current and former UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism students worked on "The Enemy Within." Fifteen current and former students contributed to "News War."

Major funding for "News War" was provided by the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Foundation. Additional funding was provided by The Nathan Cummings Foundation. The series was co-produced by the Graduate School of Journalism.

A complete list of Writers Guild of America Award nominees in on the Web. Winners will be announced on Feb. 9, 2008.