NPR’s Jerusalem-based foreign correspondent received CPB’s highest award, recognizing outstanding contributions to public radio, during an April 9 dinner attended by top pubcasting execs.
Garcia-Navarro reported from NPR’s Baghdad bureau from 2008 to 2009, and was one of the first reporters to enter Libya after last year’s uprising. She made in-depth reporting of events from the world’s most volatile regions a hallmark of her reporting, providing “powerful and sound-rich descriptions” of the conflict in Libya and other hotspots.
“It is fitting that Lourdes receive this award named after the famed war correspondent,” said CPB Chair Bruce Ramer. “We honor her dedication and service, as well as the courage of those like her who ensure that we are all informed about important world events and issues.”
“Oh, Lulu — you have made us so proud,” said Margaret Low Smith, NPR programming chief, in a videotape reel of congratulations from colleagues. “Your reporting from Libya was nothing short of extraordinary.”
“Never has covering the world been more dangerous, and more vital,” Garcia-Navarro said. She accepted the award “on behalf of all the foreign desk staff,” and acknowledged the support and mentorship of two foreign desk editors who were in the audience — Loren Jenkins, who hired her as NPR’s Mexico City–based correspondent after hearing an autobiographical story she produced about a trip to Cuba, and Doug Roberts, who “hates the spotlight.”
Prior Murrow Award recipients include Nina Totenberg, NPR legal affairs correspondent; Ira Glass, host and creator of This American Life; and Laura Walker, president of WNYC in New York.