V89's 'Vox Populi' show earns international honors for second year

WVFS, The Florida State University’s campus radio station, was honored for its “Vox Populi” news show for the second consecutive year by the 2010 New York Festivals International Radio Programs & Promotions Awards.

Commonly known as V89, “The Voice of Florida State” won a bronze world medal in the “Best Newscast” category. It was only the second year V89 has entered the prestigious international competition, which honors the best in radio broadcasting worldwide, and both years it has garnered recognition.

This was the second year “Vox Populi” was recognized. In 2009, it won a bronze world medal in the “Magazine Format” category.

“WVFS is tremendously proud to be recognized for our efforts and to be honored on an international level alongside so many reputable commercial and satellite radio entities,” said Michelle “Misha” Laurents, general manager of V89 and an associate in communication in the School of Communication.

“We are especially proud of the V89 News Department and the ‘Vox Populi’ team, who continue to produce top-quality work worthy of such awards,” Laurents added.

Chantal-Marie Wright, the station’s news director, also voiced pride in the staff and its work.

“This encourages us to work even harder and try to improve ourselves continually,” she said.

Established in 1982, the New York Festivals Radio Programming and Promotions Awards competition honors the most innovative work in radio broadcasting, with entries from radio stations, networks and independent producers from around the globe.

Judging criteria included production values, program organization, presentation of information, creativity and use of the medium. The 2010 Grand Jury listened to hundreds of submissions produced by individuals from around the world.

Last year was the first year V89 entered the competition. In addition to the “Vox Populi” bronze medal, V89 also won a bronze world medal in the “Best Music Program” category for “Sonic Safari” and a finalist certificate in the “Best Comedy/Humor Personality — Local Market” category for “Hearty White’s Miracle Nutrition Hour.”