GBH News

GBH News is the journalism division of the GBH public media organization, serving as a leading source of news and information for the Greater Boston area and Massachusetts. It produces content across multiple platforms, including radio, television, and digital, with a focus on in-depth local reporting, civic affairs, and cultural coverage. The operation is based at the GBH Studios in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston.

History

The news operation traces its origins to 1951 with the founding of WGBH-FM, which began broadcasting news segments. Its television counterpart, WGBH-TV, signed on in 1955, further expanding its news-gathering capabilities. A significant evolution occurred in 2009 with the launch of the Boston Public Radio program, which became a flagship talk show. The division was rebranded from WGBH News to GBH News in 2021, reflecting the broader identity of its parent organization. Throughout its history, it has covered pivotal regional events, including the busing crisis of the 1970s, the Big Dig construction project, and the Boston Marathon bombing.

Programming

GBH News produces a wide array of daily and weekly programs. Its radio schedule is anchored by Boston Public Radio, a live daily talk show co-hosted by Jim Braude and Margery Eagan. Other notable programs include The Scrum, a political roundtable, and Basic Black, which focuses on issues affecting communities of color. Television offerings feature the nightly news program Greater Boston, hosted by Jim Braude, and the political analysis show Talking Politics. Digital-first initiatives include the newsletters The Wake Up and The Scrum, alongside extensive podcast production such as The Common and Last Seen.

Notable personalities

The newsroom has been home to many prominent journalists and hosts over the decades. Longtime political commentator Emily Rooney hosted Greater Boston for many years and founded the media analysis program Beat the Press. Award-winning investigative reporter Phillip Martin has covered critical issues including immigration and civil rights. Current leading voices include hosts Jim Braude and Margery Eagan of Boston Public Radio, as well as political reporter Adam Reilly. Past contributors have also included renowned figures like David Brudnoy and Christopher Lydon.

Operations and funding

GBH News operates as a department within the larger GBH organization, which holds the license for WGBH-TV and WGBH-FM. Its primary studios are located at the GBH Studios complex in Brighton. Funding is derived from a mix of public sources, including member donations, grants from institutions like the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and underwriting from corporate sponsors. Additional support comes from the GBH Educational Foundation.

Awards and recognition

The news division has received numerous prestigious awards for its journalism. It has won multiple Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association for overall excellence and investigative reporting. Its reporters have been honored with several Associated Press awards and Emmy Awards for television news coverage. Specific programs like Last Seen have earned a Peabody Award, while its digital education reporting has been recognized by the Education Writers Association.

Category:Massachusetts media Category:Public radio networks in the United States Category:Television news in the United States Category:Organizations based in Boston