MUNCIE, Ind.- Ball State University’s student-run television news broadcast was recently named the best daily program at a journalism convention.

NewsCenter43 was recognized with a Mark of Excellence Award at the Society of Professional Journalists Writer’s Workshop and Region 5 Annual Convention recently in Indianapolis.

The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) is the nation’s largest and most broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior. SPJ’s Region 5 includes Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky.

“This is a huge honor,” said James Shaw, a Ball State senior from Indianapolis and executive producer of the show. “Everyone at NewsCenter43 is very proud of the award.”

The student newscasts, staffed by volunteers from various academic majors, are broadcast locally on cable access channel 43 from the Ball Communications Building, home of the Department of Telecommunications.

NewsCenter43 airs Monday through Thursday at 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., and Sundays at 9:30 p.m. NewsCenter43 also may be found on the World Wide Web at www.bsu.edu/newscenter43.

Tim Pollard, a telecommunications professor and NewsCenter43 faculty adviser, said the hard work of Ball State student journalists was supported by SPJ’s recognition.

“This is what separates Ball State students from others in the region,” he said. “It is experience that makes them successful professionals.”

NewsCenter43 provides news and information from around the Midwest as a student bureau for CNN, the international cable news network.

The program will now go on to compete against winners from

SPJ regions across the country. Judging is expected to be completed by May 18, with the winners being announced at the organization’s national convention in Seattle in October.

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, contact Pollard at tpollard@bsu.edu or (765) 285-1481.)