WCVB-TV/DT Channel 5 owner Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc., has earned its fifth consecutive USC Annenberg Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Television Political Journalism, in recognition of coverage of the 2008 election season.

The Cronkite Awards, named for the legendary CBS newsman, were established at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication following the 2000 election season to recognize excellence in television coverage of politics and political issues, quickly becoming the industry's most recognized honor in the field. They have been issued five times -- following the 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008 election seasons.

The Hearst-Argyle station group, in recognition of the work of WCVB and its sister stations, has received the Cronkite for the Station Group category each time; its five consecutive honors surpass the total of Cronkites to any other single entity in any category during the life of the awards.

According to the judges, Hearst-Argyle was recognized "for its commitment to airing political coverage on all its 25 stations across the country." Hearst-Argyle, judges wrote, "renews and revises its philosophy for each election cycle, in 2008 increasing candidate-centered coverage in prime newscasts to 10 minutes per day." Judges were "impressed by the work of several stations, including a report on voters tricked into signing anti-affirmative action initiatives, and a how-to on hacking electronic voting machines." ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopolous” was also recognized.

"Americans may have more places to turn for political news than ever before, but television remains journalism's largest public square," Cronkite said. "These awards honor reporters, producers, news directors, stations and anchors who take advantage of that reach, and who live up to that responsibility. Especially when resources are painfully scarce, it's important to celebrate journalists who use their skills at storytelling to strengthen our democracy."

WCVB President and General Manager Bill Fine said, “Winning five consecutive Cronkite Awards is a remarkable achievement. I’m proud of our entire news team for their tireless efforts on behalf of Commitment 2008.” He added, “HTV’s commitment to excellence in political news coverage is unprecedented. The comprehensive reporting, both on-air and on-line was a valuable tool to educate and inform viewers on the issues shaping the historic election.”

The panel of eight judges was chaired by Geneva Overholser, director of the USC Annenberg School of Journalism. Entries were screened by 22 Annenberg faculty and alumni with experience in broadcast journalism.

The awards will be presented on the USC campus in Los Angeles on April 15.