Mississippi stories earn national recognition as MPB celebrates Murrow and NETA awards
JANS – Mississippi stories are making a national impact, and Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) is earning recognition for telling them.
MPB has received three prestigious national honors in 2026, including two National Edward R. Murrow Awards and a Public Media Award presented by the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA). The recognition celebrates the organization’s commitment to journalism, documentary filmmaking, and storytelling that connects Mississippi’s history to conversations taking place across the country.
At the center of this recognition is “Everlasting: Life and Legacy of Medgar Evers,” an MPB original documentary examining the life, leadership, and enduring influence of the Mississippi civil rights leader. Told through the perspectives of his family and those who witnessed the Civil Rights Movement firsthand, the film preserves personal accounts of a pivotal chapter in American history.
The documentary received the 2026 National Edward R. Murrow Award for News Documentary, one of journalism’s most prestigious honors, presented by the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) for excellence in reporting, storytelling, and public service. “Everlasting” also earned the 2026 NETA Public Media Award for Cultural Feature, Division 1, recognizing outstanding programming that preserves and celebrates cultural history. Together, these national honors recognize MPB’s commitment to journalistic excellence and bringing Mississippi stories of historical and cultural significance to audiences nationwide.
The film has also earned a regional Emmy Award, a Mississippi Historical Society Award, and recognition from the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters.
MPB received a second National Edward R. Murrow Award for Feature Reporting for “Emmett Till remembered through events marking 70 years since the teenager’s brutal murder,” produced by MPB News Reporter Shamira Muhammad.
Her reporting followed commemorations across the Mississippi Delta, bringing together Till’s family members, historians, civil rights veterans, and community voices to reflect on his life, the lasting consequences of his murder, and the importance of preserving historical memory.
Together, these nationally recognized productions demonstrate the power of public media to document history through the voices of those who lived it while helping new generations understand its significance.
“Mississippi has always had stories that shaped the nation. Our responsibility is to make sure those stories are told with accuracy, dignity, and the depth they deserve,” said MPB Executive Director Royal Aills. “These awards recognize the extraordinary work of our journalists and production teams, but their greatest value is in the people and communities whose experiences we have the privilege of sharing. We want Mississippians to see their history, hear their voices, and recognize the importance of preserving both.”
The Edward R. Murrow Awards, presented by the Radio Television Digital News Association, are among the nation’s most respected honors for broadcast and digital journalism. The NETA Public Media Awards recognize excellence in content, education, community engagement, and other areas of public media service.
Audiences can explore “Everlasting: Life and Legacy of Medgar Evers” and MPB’s award-winning coverage of Emmett Till at mpbonline.org.
