A Belmont journalism professor has a new decoration: a 6-pound statuette of a woman holding a globe, also known as an Emmy.
Professor Jennifer Duck received the Outstanding News Discussion and Analysis Emmy at the 40th News and Documentary Emmys Tuesday for her work on the CNN Special Report “Finding Hope: Battling America’s Suicide Crisis.”
The 2018 report focused on the nation’s suicide epidemic and aired following the deaths of Kate Spade and CNN’s own Anthony Bourdain.
“With the death of someone in our CNN family, we wanted to do it and we wanted to do it the right way,” Duck said.
This is Duck’s second Emmy — she received the Live Coverage of a Current News Story Emmy in 2010 for her coverage of former President Obama’s inauguration with ABC.
However, this recent project with Anderson Cooper and the recognition that came with it were particularly impactful for Duck.
“It’s very exciting, obviously, but it’s also very bittersweet. Talking about suicide is something that if you get anyone to open up and talk about it, it’s such a hard topic. It was very powerful,” Duck said.
The night the report aired, calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline went up 67 percent, Duck said.
“When you have the opportunity to impact lives and do it where people are affected, and the message resonates and they don’t feel alone, that’s the power of journalism,” Duck said.
Although grateful for the award, she believes it’s more than just a golden statuette.
“This award is so prestigious and we don’t take it lightly, but this award should really go to anyone who has ever been touched by suicide or mental illness and just let them know that we’re all listening,” Duck said.
This article written by Sarah Lawson.