“Graying California” a Collaborative Series Produced by KQED, CalMatters, KPBS, KPCC and Capital Public Radio, Explores How a Growing Senior Population is Impacting the California Dream
The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) recently bestowed a 2020 National Edward R. Murrow award to KQED journalists Farida Jhabvala Romero and Vanessa Rancaño and the collaborative team responsible for “Graying California,” an extensive reporting series that examines California’s growing senior population. The series is part of the California Dream project, a statewide public media collaboration produced by KQED, CALmatters, KPBS, KPCC and Capital Public Radio. The Edward R. Murrow awards recognize the best electronic journalism produced by radio, television and digital news organizations around the world.
“Graying California” examines how seniors are becoming the fastest-growing age group in the state. By sharing first-hand experiences from senior residents, the project pays special attention at how this growing demographic may be reshaping the California Dream.
“Working on the California Dream Project has been one of the highlights of my career. This recognition speaks to the power of bringing together reporters from across the state — and to [Editor] Adriene’ Hill’s vision and leadership,” says Vanessa Rancaño, who covers education at KQED. Farida Jhabvala Romero, who covers immigration at KQED, adds, “It was an honor to be a part of this great collaboration between nonprofit newsrooms in California to report on issues that matter to our state. Adriene offered the vision and guidance for this successful series; this recognition is a testament to that collective effort.”
In addition to Romero and Rancaño, the “Graying California” team includes Sammy Caiola (Capital Public Radio); Matt Levin (CALmatters); Meghan McCarty Carino (KPCC); Julia Mitric (Capital Public Radio); Amita Sharma (KPBS); David Wagner (KPCC) and California Dream Editors Adriane Hill and Bob Nishizaki. Their work includes a closer look at the surge in college applicants over the age of fifty and why there aren’t as many senior volunteers as you may expect. A complete list of the 2020 National and Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards winners can be found at rtdna.org.