American Public Media's Being Wins Peabody Award
Contact: Brad Robideau
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American Public Media's Being Wins Peabody Award
(St. Paul, Minn.) April 2, 2008—American Public Media's Being with Krista Tippett—public radio's premier in-depth conversation about religion and spiritual ethics in individual and public life—has won a 2007 Peabody Award for its program, "The Ecstatic Faith of Rumi." The citation reads, "Delving into the 'adventurous, cosmopolitan' Islam of a 13th century Persian poet now enjoying revival worldwide, this public-radio series continues to illuminate connections among people of all faiths."
Announcing the award, Bel Hernandez, Chair of the Peabody Board, said, "This hour of Being...exemplifies the approach of the long-running series. Here, spirituality and faith in contemporary life always remain central, and are explored with extraordinary breadth and understanding."
Just as religion has emerged as a powerful and at times dangerous force in global life, Being has innovated a new journalistic paradigm to address it with unparalleled creativity, depth and diversity. Created as an occasional series at American Public Media in 2001 and launched weekly in 2003, the show is now heard on more than 200 public radio stations in the U.S. and globally via Web and podcast.
Being's host and creator Krista Tippett brings a rare combination of intellect and compassion to her interviews, moving far beyond wedge issues and polarizing voices. She engages theologians, scientists, philosophers and a wide array of other thinkers and activists to reframe public conversation about some of the largest issues of our time. A complete archive of programs can be accessed at www.speakingoffaith.org.
The Peabody is electronic media's most coveted award. The 2008 awards will be presented June 16 at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. Brian Williams, anchor of NBC Nightly News, will host the ceremony.
"The Ecstatic Faith of Rumi" program was funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Being also receives support from the Ford Foundation, Henry Luce Foundation, the George Family Foundation, the Lilly Endowment, Inc., the Marbrook Foundation, and the Kendeda Sustainability Fund of the Tides Foundation.